GRANT COUNTY – Grant County Search and Rescue teams are searching for a missing hunter.

Eric Hemmele was reported missing after he failed to return back to camp during an elk hunting trip Nov. 22. The report said that Hemmele was missing near the Thompson Creek Drainage around four miles west of Magone Lake. Local search and rescue personnel and volunteer horse back riders are currently searching for Hemmele.

Search and Rescue personnel will be using Country Road 32 and US Forest Road 36 along the East Fork of Beech Creek. The public is asked to use caution in the area due to road congestion.

Hemmele’s family and other hunters did not locate him after searching throughout the night Nov. 22. Hemmele, 58, is six feet tall and has blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a flannel shirt with a back pack.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and the Grant County Air Search looked for Hemmele Sunday, Nov. 23, but were unable to find him. Assistance from the Oregon Air National Guard has been requested, but weather in Salem will determine if the helicopter will be able to fly to Grant County.