State troopers: Miscommunication launches search for hunting party
Three members of the Quick family found safe on Douglas
A day-long search Wednesday on Douglas Island for three members of a Juneau family reported overdue from a hunting trip ended when they were found safe at 5 p.m.
Miscommunication about when Allan and Joann Quick and their 12-year-old nephew, Jesse, would return caused family members to report them overdue, Alaska State Troopers information officer Beth Ipsen said. Family members had expected them back Tuesday, but the Quicks said they planned to return Wednesday.
Troopers launched the search Wednesday morning with eight people on the ground, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Sitka, a Temsco helicopter and Civil Air Patrol aircraft.
The Coast Guard spotted the hunting party from the air and brought them back to Juneau, Ipsen said. All three were in good health and didn't report any problems with their trip.
The trio was hunting and therefore wearing camouflage, making them more difficult to spot, Ipsen said. They saw helicopters flying above but assumed a search was on for someone else, she added.
"In the end they were found and that's what we wanted, but this is a prefect example that it's good to have a plan filed or in writing when going on a hunting, backpacking or boating trip," Ipsen said. Forms are available at Troopers offices to file a plan, she said.
The trio was hunting in an area south of Mount Jumbo and north of Ready Bullion Creek. They reportedly had two to three days worth of food with them.