Deceased/Not Found CO - Alvie Webb, 87, hunter, Dolores, Colorado Mountains, 19 Oct 2019

[rainynights]

October 28, 2019
Hunter, age 86, remains missing in San Juan National Forest

“We looked all over and searched a large area 30 yards at a time, but there was no sign of him, no clues,” said Sheriff Steve Nowlin.

The official search has been called off, but family and friends are still searching the area. If clues are found, the official search will resume, Nowlin said.

Webb has some trouble walking and was not expected to hike a long distance, Nowlin said, so it is puzzling why he could not be located after an intense search in the vicinity of the trail.

Webb was wearing an orange stocking cap, and orange hunter vest over a heavy camouflaged jacket. He had a few food bars and water, but no overnight gear.

 

[SeekersLegacy]

The difference in the way the reporting is worded makes a difference IMO. He either was dropped off to go hunting by himself, which makes no sense. Or he opted to take a morning walk down the mountain, which was typical for him, and didn't want to walk back up. So he asked for someone to come get him at a specific time.

I tend to go with the morning walk version, as I don't believe he would go off hunting by himself. He was there with family for an annual trip and I'd assume then enjoy doing this together.

Some comments under the news report about him being dropped off at "his hunting spot" make the family seem like they just left him on his own. So, might be nice to have a clearer version of how he went missing.

Also, if walking, where was he walking. Is it steep? Does it have drop-offs? Colorado is infamous for lack of guardrails. Could he have fallen? Is there traffic on the road? He could have been hit by someone or picked up (least likely scenario -again IMO). I sure hope they find him. Scary and sad.

Dropping him off on his own to hunt makes perfect sense actually. Do you know much about hunting? The majority of hunters, even more elderly ones, are dropped off to hunt in hunting blinds by themselves, sometimes with a family member or friend but not most of the time and then meet back at a certain time. Hunters going solo is more often the rule, not the exception. This guy shouldn’t be written off as needing someone to look after him at all times just because he’s older. It specifically says he was a sharp and smart hunter.

 

[zecats]

Dropping him off on his own to hunt makes perfect sense actually. Do you know much about hunting? The majority of hunters, even more elderly ones, are dropped off to hunt in hunting blinds by themselves, sometimes with a family member or friend but not most of the time and then meet back at a certain time. Hunters going solo is more often the rule, not the exception. This guy shouldn’t be written off as needing someone to look after him at all times just because he’s older. It specifically says he was a sharp and smart hunter.

I am not at all a hunter, so I did have questions. Earlier another poster did explain this to me upthread a bit and it does make sense.

I did not intend to imply that Alvie wasn't capable of being on his own. It's obvious this was an annual trip for him and the family. My 2 points were 1) That they might want to spend time together, which I now realize they did at times other than hunting...and 2) that SMS was stating 2 different versions of how he went missing.

 

[Hoosier952]

I am not at all a hunter, so I did have questions. Earlier another poster did explain this to me upthread a bit and it does make sense.

I did not intend to imply that Alvie wasn't capable of being on his own. It's obvious this was an annual trip for him and the family. My 2 points were 1) That they might want to spend time together, which I now realize they did at times other than hunting...and 2) that SMS was stating 2 different versions of how he went missing.

It also states in the posted article that he had trouble walking, which to me is a bit concerning given the terrain. It likely also makes him more prone to taking a tumble. If he fell, there's no telling where he may have ended up.

 

[Tripod]

I've been thinking of Alvie and hoping he'd have been found Can't imagine what happened and I'm sure his loved ones can't, either. Bumping for Alvie!

 

[UnapologeticallyAspie]

Bumping for you Alvie bc I’m thinking of you & your family.

 

[mlhenn]

Bump

Unable to find any updates since LE suspended their search.

 

[mrz]

Rooting for you Alvie!

 

[Seajay]

Dropping him off on his own to hunt makes perfect sense actually. Do you know much about hunting? The majority of hunters, even more elderly ones, are dropped off to hunt in hunting blinds by themselves, sometimes with a family member or friend but not most of the time and then meet back at a certain time. Hunters going solo is more often the rule, not the exception. This guy shouldn’t be written off as needing someone to look after him at all times just because he’s older. It specifically says he was a sharp and smart hunter.

I agree. My grandfather hunted up til the year before he passed at age 77, and my Dad hunted until he was 80.

They hunted with my three brothers and as you said, they would be dropped off in separate areas to hunt alone or in pairs. They would later all be picked up and taken back to camp.

I think the older ones were in flatter land with not as many mountainous area to climb while the younger nes were dropped off in an area that required sturdier knees, legs and stamina. IME and O

 

[Seajay]

It also states in the posted article that he had trouble walking, which to me is a bit concerning given the terrain. It likely also makes him more prone to taking a tumble. If he fell, there's no telling where he may have ended up.

Now that is a concern. Hopefully, Alvie was taken to a flatter, easier trail.

These days, you can get locators cheaply, so it would be a wonderful tool for the hunter of today to have for his entire party, since so often they do split up and hunt alone. IMO

ETA: Gosh, it’s been almost two weeks since Alvie went missing. Two weeks in Colorado. It’s been cold and snowy in most parts of the state if not all of it. My heart is heavy, how can Alvie survive that?

 

[Tripod]

Now that is a concern. Hopefully, Alvie was taken to a flatter, easier trail.

These days, you can get locators cheaply, so it would be a wonderful tool for the hunter of today to have for his entire party, since so often they do split up and hunt alone. IMO

ETA: Gosh, it’s been almost two weeks since Alvie went missing. Two weeks in Colorado. It’s been cold and snowy in most parts of the state if not all of it. My heart is heavy, how can Alvie survive that?

Unfortunately, he's been gone much longer than 2 weeks It is so hard to understand why he couldn't be found, while wearing a blaze orange vest and hat. I think the search for him was thorough. Praying that his family can get some closure.

 

[zecats]

Now that is a concern. Hopefully, Alvie was taken to a flatter, easier trail.

These days, you can get locators cheaply, so it would be a wonderful tool for the hunter of today to have for his entire party, since so often they do split up and hunt alone. IMO

ETA: Gosh, it’s been almost two weeks since Alvie went missing. Two weeks in Colorado. It’s been cold and snowy in most parts of the state if not all of it. My heart is heavy, how can Alvie survive that?

More like going on 2 months. Sad case. I hope he didn't suffer or is not suffering, though I don't really have any hope he survived this long.

 

[Tripod]

More like going on 2 months. Sad case. I hope he didn't suffer or is not suffering, though I don't really have any hope he survived this long.[/QUOT

Same here. There really aren't any saving graces to stories like this, but he was doing something he loved to do and had lived a long life. He sadly could have lived well for a number of years yet, bless his heart.

 

[Luckyzmom]

The fact that people who have spent their lives enjoying and pursuing outdoor activities in some beautiful places, some very remote ,on lakes and bayous or rivers. Gives me hope that the bond they had for these places, the breathtaking beauty and peace some of us find in being a part of the wilderness itself always makes me think.... If your time to leave this Earth is spent in a place where you have visited and enjoyed for years perhaps that is a gift from the almighty and it is envious. Hope I might be that lucky. As with a few cases here , I comeback to check in hopes their earthly remains can go home and be laid to rest with the family. Very special individuals out in some the most beautiful places on Earth. Prayers Alvie that you can return your family. We will keep looking and hoping. You remain in our prayers and your family and friends as well. JMO

 

[Seajay]

It would be impossible for Alvie to survive this long in Colorado with the weather as it is now. Something of his should have been found by now.

Next year, another hunter is going to stumble upon Alvie’s remains. He had little food, very little water and no overnight gear. IMO

 

[mlhenn]

Twitter

Dec 15, 2019
Video linked going in depth to disappearance.

 

[mlhenn]

https://www.outtherecolorado.com/search-suspended-for-elderly-hunter-missing-in-colorado-mountains/

Article and map of area

 

[Luckyzmom]

Thanks @mlhenn Prayers for Alive and his family and friends. Just hard to imagine what they are going through.
Doesn't seem like he could have gotten too far from where he went missing, not good...MOO

 

[Tripod]

I've been wondering about Alvie a lot, recently. He's one of those folks who stole a piece of my heart, and also one I'd have thought would have been located God bless Alvie and his family, and may they have peace one day.

 

[Seajay]

https://www.outtherecolorado.com/search-suspended-for-elderly-hunter-missing-in-colorado-mountains/

Article and map of area

Never thought he could have possibly been accidentally shot.

Are there bears around there? Could he have been attacked by a bear?