Body of deceased hunter found in Great San Dunes National Park

Tragic news was shared out Large sand dunes National Park on the morning of Thursday, November 14 when the Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue team shared the news that the body of a deceased hunter had been recovered from the park in late October.

Lance Walker, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was out hunting when he returned late on the evening of October 30. hunting partyincluding his brother, began searching for him on October 31 using the SOS feature on their Garmin Satellite device.

By the time his body was discovered, he was found to be dead. The site was in difficult terrain, so rescuers had to be called in to help.

The AVSAR, Saguache County Search and Rescue, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and the National Park Service came together for the complicated recovery.

Ultimately, it took seven team members and several different types of equipment, but the mission was ultimately completed by the end of day November 1.

The cause of Walker’s death is unknown, although the rescue team is officially describing it as a “tragic accident.”

“Captain Walker was the owner of Fish Commander Guide Services in Grand Isle, LA. He wanted to give his clients a first-class experience when he took them to the Gulf of Mexico, and made sure they not only took home a ton of fish, fish, but also unforgettable memories,” read part of his obituary. But Lance’s passion for fishing was surpassed only by his passion for hunting. His adventurous spirit led him on hunting trips across the country, always looking for another trophy deer or elk with a bigger rack than his previous win. Lance enjoyed his hunting trips with his children, father, brothers, cousins ​​and friends, all of whom will cherish their adventures with him.”

Great Sand Dunes National Park itself is not open to hunting, but Walker was a permitted and licensed hunter for the legal National Preserve portion of the park. It makes for an interesting and somewhat reserved hunting experience.

While not particularly dangerous in itself, you can never be too safe when preparing for a hunting trip. This is especially the case if someone plans to secede from the party. Hunters of all experience and skill levels are prone to accidents, so it’s extra important to monitor all possible guidelines before you travel.