Fresno County, CA — A 65-year-old hunter from Selma who vanished in the snow-covered Sierra National Forest for nearly three weeks has been found alive, authorities announced earlier this week.
The man, identified as Ron Dailey, disappeared on October 13 after setting out on a solo hunting trip near Dinkey Creek, east of Shaver Lake. According to his family, Dailey planned to return that same evening — but he never came home.
Disappearance in Harsh Mountain Conditions
Family members contacted the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office after Dailey failed to return, sparking a massive multi-county search and rescue mission involving hundreds of volunteers. Despite winter storms and subfreezing temperatures, search crews combed the rugged terrain for weeks.
Authorities said the conditions were dangerous and visibility was limited due to snow and ice accumulation. Dailey’s wife told reporters that her husband was a seasoned outdoorsman and a “really reliable person” but that she feared for his safety due to underlying health conditions.
“He’s very familiar with the wilderness,” she said. “But he’s also got medical issues, and that made this all the more frightening.”
How He Survived
Dailey later told reporters from KSEE/KGPE that he became lost along Swamp Lake Trail, a remote section of the forest accessible only by off-road vehicles. His 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup broke down at an elevation of roughly 10,000 feet.
“You either walk out or you’re going to sit here and die,” Dailey recalled, describing the moment he realized he had to make a move to save himself.
He used his disabled truck as shelter and survived on two weeks’ worth of food he had packed before the trip. Dailey also told interviewers he fell multiple times while attempting to navigate downhill terrain and eventually lost his phone.
After nearly three weeks stranded, a group of hunters discovered Dailey along Swamp Lake Trail and helped him to safety.
Discovery of His Damaged Truck
Just one day after Dailey’s rescue, members of an off-roading club called Hill Hoppers found his badly damaged Dodge Dakota deep within the mountains.
Bryce Anderson, a Hill Hoppers member, said the vehicle was discovered about six miles into a rugged, off-road-only zone, where standard vehicles rarely venture.
“We were in disbelief that a stock truck could make it in that far,” Anderson said. “The back window was broken out, the front end was on a lift jack, and it looked like he removed the passenger seat to sleep inside.”
Officials said the details of Dailey’s rescue and survival strategy will be shared after he undergoes interviews with the sheriff’s department.
A Remarkable Story of Survival
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office called the case a “miracle in the mountains,” noting that Dailey’s survival under such harsh conditions is extremely rare.
His experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers faced by hunters and hikers, even those experienced in wilderness navigation. Authorities urge anyone traveling into remote areas to:
- Inform family or friends of exact routes and expected return times.
- Carry emergency communication tools such as satellite phones or beacons.
- Pack enough food, water, and warm clothing for unexpected delays.
- Avoid traveling alone in high-altitude or severe weather conditions.
Dailey is now safely reunited with his family and is expected to make a full recovery.
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