Friends and Families Mourn the Deaths of Two Montana Hunters

The final week of Montana's general big game hunting season was darkened by horrendous tragedy.

How many of us can identify with two long-time friends wanting to get out to do something they've loved for years? It was to be an enjoyable adventure together for these two, a day of deer hunting just ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend.

Sadly, the worst happened.

Associated Press shared the news that the Thanksgiving weekend became a time of mourning for the families and friends of two Montana men, who were killed when their Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) rolled into a ravine during their hunting trip. The vehicle was eventually discovered laying upside down.

Their failure to return or make contact with friends or families on Wednesday, November 27, prompted a massive ground search by volunteers and authorities. But it was an aerial search that finally pinpointed the overturned UTV in the bottom of the ravine, camouflaged heavily by the terrain.

The men were identified as 71-year old James Rheinhart Horton of Laurel, and 71-year-old Ray Bernard Wells of Park City. The two had been granted permission to hunt deer on a friend's private property.

Our condolences and deepest sympathies to all the loved ones that Mr. Horton and Mr. Wells leave behind.