ALTON, Maine — A search is underway for an overdue hunter from the Orono area who failed to meet up with his companions Thursday morning in Alton, an official from the Maine Warden Service has confirmed.
Robert Vadas was expected to come out of the woods between 8:30 and 9 a.m. but did not do so, Capt. Dan Scott of the Maine Warden Service said Thursday evening. His hunting party reported him missing about 2 p.m. after doing some searching themselves, Scott said.
Vadas is a University of Maine professor emeritus of botany, oceanography and zoology, according to the university’s website.
The missing hunter last was seen wearing hunter orange. He is not believed to be carrying a cellphone, Scott said. Searchers are focusing on the woods along Tannery Road and Route 16.
He added that the search will continue through the night and so far involves personnel from the Maine Warden Service, the Maine Forest Service and the Maine Air National Guard as well as volunteer ground searchers and dog tracking teams from Maine Search and Rescue Dogs and the Down East Emergency Medicine Institute.
Thursday’s rain and low cloud cover precluded attempts to conduct an aerial search, Scott said.
Time is of the essence because of the rain and cooler temperatures, he said.
Anyone who has seen a hunter fitting Vadas’s description should call the Maine State Police barracks in Bangor at 973-3700.
Watch www.bangordailynews.com for updates.