DEC Forest Rangers, Sheriff’s Deputies Rescue Two Teenage Hunters

CHARLOTTE – Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies rescued two lost hunters Saturday after the hunters became lost in the Boutwell State Forest.
At about 1:40 p.m., Chautauqua County 911 contacted Forest Ranger Zachary Robitaille to report two lost teenage hunters in Boutwell State Forest. The pair became disoriented and lost their bearings.
Their cell phone battery died, but not before 911 obtained a location by pinging their phone. Using that location, three Forest Rangers and Deputies responded and located the hunters in less than an hour. Both hunters were returned safely to their vehicles without incident.
The Sheriff’s K9 unit was dispatched, but the hunters did not stay in their location as instructed by the Sheriff’s Department.