Missing Hunter Found Safe in South Jasper County

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A hunter reported missing Thursday morning in a remote area along the Neches River has been safely located after an extensive multi-agency search effort.

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a call at approximately 11:05 a.m. on October 23, 2025, reporting that a hunter had failed to return to a boat launch area as planned. The man and another hunter had traveled by boat earlier in the day to squirrel hunt in a heavily wooded area of south Jasper County, along the banks of the Neches River.

When one of the hunters did not return to the agreed meeting spot, his companion contacted authorities for help. Deputies from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, and multiple fire departments quickly deployed to the area using UTVs and boats to begin the search.

First responders worked methodically through rough terrain and dense woods, periodically firing rounds into the ground to signal their presence—hoping the missing hunter could respond. The effort paid off when the hunter returned several shots, allowing rescuers to triangulate his location.

At approximately 3:08 p.m., a Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputy and several members of the Silsbee Fire Department located the hunter unharmed.

Photos from the scene show law enforcement and fire crews coordinating ATV searches through dense forest and along the riverbank as part of the hours-long operation.

Sheriff Chuck Havard expressed his appreciation for the swift and cooperative response from the community and partnering agencies.

“We would sincerely like to thank the citizens, Buna Fire Department, Silsbee Fire Department, National Park Service, Texas Game Wardens, and Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens for providing her helicopter to assist us,” Havard said.

The sheriff emphasized that teamwork between local and state responders made the successful outcome possible.