Two hunters who went missing south of Laurel on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday. The men were identified as Ray Bernard Wells, 71, of Park City, and James Rheinhart Horton, 71, of Laurel, according to Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Rich Hoffman.
The hunters had departed from Laurel on Wednesday morning to hunt on private land. They were believed to be on or near property owned by the family of Kurt Markegard, the interim chief administrative officer for the City of Laurel. By Wednesday night, a search was underway in the area between Spring Creek Road and Price Hill Road, involving multiple agencies, friends, and family members.
The search effort included the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Air National Guard. Search teams faced challenging conditions as the hunters’ utility terrain vehicle (UTV) had rolled down a ravine. The overturned vehicle was difficult to spot, requiring aerial support to locate.
Rescuers conducted a grid search of the area, focusing on tracks in the snow and other clues. The UTV was eventually discovered at the bottom of a ravine. The men had fallen from the top of a coulee to its base, leading to their deaths.
Local officials praised the coordination and resources used in the search. The tragedy underscores the importance of teamwork among emergency responders during difficult operations. Investigations are ongoing into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.