FORT SEVERN, Ont. — Snow that remains in coastal areas of Hudson Bay helped lead rescuers to a missing hunter from Fort Severn First Nation on the Victoria Day weekend.
A Canadian Rangers spokesperson says the man was harvesting geese 25 kilometres away from the settlement when his snowmobile broke down.
When word spread in the community that he had failed to return, the Canadian Army the next day authorized the use of the local Canadian Ranger patrol to begin a search.
Rangers are part-time army reservists.
One Ranger came upon the abandoned snowmobile as well as a message the hunter had etched into the snow, telling anyone who found it that he was attempting to walk to a nearby hunting camp.
He was located while he was still making his way to the camp.
Master Corporal Angus Miles of the Canadian Rangers says several of Fort Severn's rangers are on full-time active service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are delivering water to homes that are currently without water service because of frozen lines, and are conducting wellness checks of the elderly and disabled.
In addition, the Rangers are participating in the spring hunt, and distributing harvested geese to needy families.
Fort Severn, the northernmost community in Ontario, is located 850 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
