No sign of Idaho Falls hunter missing for more than a week

Published at 11:45 am, October 28, 2022

Andrea Olson, EastIdahoNews.com

HOWE — A local sheriff’s office will continue the search Saturday for a 73-year-old hunter who has been missing for more than a week.

Deputies from Butte County Sheriff’s Office and search and rescue crews have been looking for Michael Faller of Idaho Falls.

According to a Facebook post by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, authorities have extensively searched with a K9, but there have been no new updates on Faller and where he might be. Snow came in heavy as search crews came off the mountain searching for Faller this week.

Due to the snow, the search will continue on Saturday with several more search and rescue teams.

“We thank our community for their continued prayers for the family and friends as well as the urgency to help in several different ways,” the post from the sheriff’s office reads.

According to a family spokeswoman, Ashley Countryman, Faller went camping with his wife in the North Creek Road area of Butte County on Monday, Oct. 17. Faller went hunting and checked in with his wife at lunchtime on Oct. 17 and 18. However, he did not return to his campsite to check in on Oct. 19.

When he didn’t return by Thursday morning, Faller’s wife left the area to contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.

Searchers discovered Faller’s ATV off a trail. Shortly afterward they found his rifle, jacket and shirt leaning against a tree but no other signs of him.

“I believe it is going to require searching beyond where his stuff was found in order to locate him. Any help from qualified persons would be so much appreciated,” Countryman said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Butte County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 527-8553.

“The family just wants him found so they can have some closure,” Countryman told EastIdahoNews.com. “We just want to get whatever help we can to find him while the weather is still decent.”

SUBMIT A CORRECTION