The body of a 51-year-old man from Hubbard, who had gone missing during a hunting trip in the Mount Hood National Forest, has been recovered. Devon Dobek was reported missing to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 6:20 p.m. on October 31. His friend alerted authorities after Dobek had communicated he was returning early from his outing, having successfully hunted a deer.
Search teams began operations the same evening after locating Dobek’s truck near the Fish Creek Trailhead, but no signs of him or the deer were found. These search efforts spanned a week, involving over 20 agencies and accumulating approximately 4,000 hours of search time before being suspended on November 7. Despite the official pause in search operations, family and friends remained dedicated to finding Dobek, raising nearly $35,000 through GoFundMe to support continued search efforts.
On November 15, around 3 p.m., volunteer searchers reported a sighting of what appeared to be a body in a challenging area close to the Fish Creek Trailhead. In response, search and rescue coordinators from the sheriff’s office deployed a specially trained rope team to retrieve the body, which proved to be a complex task requiring the team to navigate a river and climb steep cliffs. Their first attempt was unsuccessful as daylight faded, but they resumed the following day, November 16.
After reaching the site from two distinct approaches, teams were able to secure the body around 1 p.m., taking several hours to transport it back to the road. While official identification is pending from the Clackamas County Medical Examiner, the authorities believe the body to be that of Devon Dobek.
The tragic loss highlights not only the risks associated with hunting but also the community’s efforts to support one another during times of crisis. The dedication displayed by friends, family, and search teams serves as a testament to the value of community and perseverance in the face of adversity.