Two hunters recently chased their mountain lion-hunting hounds into Glacier National Park, and a search-and-rescue team ended up chasing the men.
Bill Sapa, 39, of Columbia Falls and Lawrence Bedford, 34, of Martin City told family members the morning of Jan. 6 that they were going after their dogs, which went missing after a previous hunt in the North Fork Flathead drainage.
When the men didn't return to their vehicle by early evening, North Valley Search and Rescue was contacted.
A dozen searchers, along with three park rangers, embarked on a search. Using snowmobiles, the searchers tracked the two men and found them and the dogs about 3 1/2 miles south of Polebridge on the park's Inside North Fork Road.
The two men had parked several miles south of Polebridge and were using gps tracking systems to follow gps collars on the dogs.
The last known location of the dogs was inside the park near Winona Lake, about 1 1/2 miles east of where the houndsmen's truck was parked. The hunters' snowmobiles were found only 200 yards from the truck, bogged down in heavy snow.
The search initially carried out on skis, but snowmobiles were deployed from Polebridge down the Inside North Fork Road. A first sweep was unsuccessful, but on a second sweep, searchers encountered the missing dogs. Shortly after midnight, they found the two men.
"Bedford and Sapa told rangers that they were not in distress, but pursued the dogs into the park for fear the dogs might be killed by wolves if left overnight and were simply continuing their search," a park press release stated. "It was their belief that they'd likely reach their vehicle via the Polebridge Ranger Station by approximately 3 a.m. that next morning."
Bedford, the owner of the dogs, was cited for having dogs in the park.
Glacier Superintendent Chas Cartwright said hunters are reminded that they are responsible for controlling dogs in pursuit of mountain lions near a national park boundary.
"There are inherent risks in choosing to hunt adjacent to park boundaries such as river ice, illegal harassment of park wildlife and dog welfare in areas inhabited by wolves," Cartwright said. "Individuals hunting with dogs are responsible for ensuring that they stay out of Glacier National Park."
Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com
Ted
Big men, hunt cat with dog. Drag woman by hair. Live in cave. Sickos
Abenaki
Every once in a while we get to see someone embellish a story with fanciful unrelated facts designed to further a cause. Thanks Ted.
toadzilla
Liberal Man, demasculates the male roll. Drags the family unit through the gutter. Lives in society without much needed social boundaries. Moron... What does this story/case have to do with the role these men have in their families. Are you trying to say that all men who hunt with dogs beat their wives and live in inhospitable locations? Way to build into the...All anti-hunters are screaming left-wing libs mentality. Good job Ted!
smood
U gotta problem with knuckle draggers, Ted...we get that. Take your pink shirts, your Brad Pitt posters, your silk purse and move back to West Hollywood where ya belong. If you weren't so queer, you'd see the merit of killin and dragging women by the hair. (they like it) Instead you plunge into phantom orifices high on "X" and think you are stylin. Grow a beard bubba. No place for sissiboys in Montana..well, except for Whitefish, of course. Smooches from peaches. (friend of mine on "House")
momof4
I am glad no one was injured. The whole scenario could have ended a lot differently...
Old Hiker
I thought the men were fined for trying to retrieve their dogs inside GNP. If they were retrieving and not hunting in the Park, what is the problem? They sound like responsible men to me.