Snow search: east of Laramie on the National Forest Kathy Orde and Moose There had been an abandoned van left at a trail head that had been there for approximately two months before Curt had it towed off the forest. The family was contacted and they had not heard from their 44 yr. old son since mid-Dec. The last activity on his credit card was on Dec. 30. I took Moose out there yesterday with my husband Curt. We only walked about 300 yards beyond the developed recreation area when Moose picked up a scent and headed into a heavily forested boulder field area. He was alerting on a glacial boulder field where scent was pooling. Moose continued down hill to the N-NW where he was picking up more scent on an east-west boulder ridge. There were places where Moose pushed through snow that was 30+" deep. He dropped down the boulder ridge and continued 50-60 yards where he went behind a boulder and alerted on a deceased male sitting up against a large rock (Volkswagen size) facing the N-NW. The male was partially covered by approximately 6" of fresh snow, in an area that had an overall snow accumulation of 30". Based on physical evidence and conformation by the coroner, the male died of a self inflicted gun shot wound to the right temple. He still had the gun in his hand. The right side of his face was 65% decomposed and/or eaten away by small mammals. The left side was intact from being covered by the hood of a sweatshirt. The right hand that held the gun had been partially eaten by small animals/birds. Other wise he was well bundled up in coveralls, hooded sweatshirt, knit cap, boots and one glove and very frozen. We're proud to report, Moose picked up the scent from .2 of a mile away, he negotiated around boulders, snow ranging from 12"-30+", tree wells until he lead us directly to the deceased. The time frame from when he picked up the scent and took us to the deceased was 22 min. A brother and sister in-law of the deceased had driven out from WI yesterday early afternoon and were very glad to have closure. Click to view map of search area.

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