Injured Hunter Airlifted After Overnight Rescue in Horse Prairie

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, Mont. — An injured hunter was airlifted from the Trapper Creek area of Horse Prairie after an overnight rescue that sent crews through steep terrain and kept them in the field until early Saturday morning.

Beaverhead Search and Rescue was dispatched at 8:25 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, after the hunter sustained a leg wound while field dressing an elk, according to a report from public affairs liaison Jack Bazemore.

Two rapid-response teams headed into the area while a Beaverhead Ambulance crew staged near the rescue vehicles.

Rescuers initially traveled by side-by-side and four-wheeler. When the trail became too narrow for the vehicles, both teams continued on foot.

After locating the hunter, two rescuers assessed and stabilized him while other team members cleared fallen trees and identified a helicopter landing zone.

Crews then moved the hunter through rough, steep terrain to a waiting LifeFlight Bozeman helicopter, which transported him for further medical care.

Rescuers accompanied the hunter’s partner back to the vehicles and returned the partner to the pair’s vehicle before heading to Dillon. Crews arrived back at approximately 6 a.m. Saturday.

The incident command team included Brian Vinson, Lance Hopman and Jason Erickson. Field teams included Josh Yedon, Trevor Nyland, Jack Bazemore, Charles Weidow and Jaden Dennis.

As big-game hunting seasons continue, Beaverhead Search and Rescue encourages hunters to make a plan, tell someone where they are going and when they expect to return, carry an inReach or another means of communication, and take a partner.