Search underway in Granite Creek area for overdue hunter
Update:Teton County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (TCSAR) continued their search efforts throughout the day in the Granite Creek Area to locate Bernhard Reitmann. The area included approximately seven square miles, with volunteers searching on foot and by helicopter. Crews are scheduled to suspended search efforts at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening and will return to the search at approximately 8:00 a.m tomorrow.
Today’s search did identify some key information in the process of finding Rietmann.Search dogs identified a couple of areas of interest, and searchers found some clues to Bernard’s possible location, including a deer that had been shot, but not field dressed.
Based on these clues, tomorrow’s search effort will focus on an area of approximately 14 square miles on the west side of Granite Creek, and will include more than 60 volunteers and two civilian owned helicopters, dog teams and searches on horseback.
Teton County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue is asking for community volunteers to assist with the search. They are looking for individuals who are exceptionally physically fit and able to hike for 8 hours in difficult terrain. Anyone interested in helping with the search are asked to contact the Search and Rescue hangar at (307) 732-8337.
Original story: Teton County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue initiated a search last evening for a Wilson, WY resident reported overdue from a hunting excursion.
Bernhard Rietmann, age 85, planned to return from his outing at approximately 5:00 pm and was reported missing by his family shortly before 9:00 pm.
TCSAR quickly assembled a team of searchers after receiving the report from the Sheriff’s Dispatch Office. Twenty volunteers looked in and around in the Granite Creek area, focusing primarily on the Highline Trail. Searchers suspended operations at 2:00 this morning.
The Search and Rescue team has expanded the search today, with nearly 50 individuals from multiple agencies involved in search operations. Following a briefing, crews returned to the field at 8:00 am.
Rietmann was reported as wearing a blue jacket, a hunting cap, and boots. He was also carrying a rifle when he left on his hunting trip. Searchers are concerned about Rietmann’s medical condition, which may cause him to tire easily.
Anyone with information on Rietmann’s location should contact Teton County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (307) 733-2331.
