Gruesome Discovery

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

Moderator
Staff member
Over the years the question "Has anyone ever stumbled on a dead body out duck hunting?" has come up a time or two. I am now one of the few who can answer yes to that question.

This afternoon I decided to scout an area I've not hunted in years but had extraordinary hunts there many times in the past. This fairly sizable swamp is known as the Barbee Swamp to those familiar with Jackson County, Alabama. I was aware a person had been missing in the area so when I was wading through a tupelo thicket and caught a fowl smell my heart started to race. I bent over to get a look through the thick growth and could make out a body partially submerged twenty feet from me.

Honestly, I am thankful I knew about the missing person which made me stop and look. Otherwise I was headed in the direct path and would have probably tripped over him because his clothing was identical in color to the swamp bottom. Heart racing I called the game warden who promptly told me to call 911. Within a few minutes the 911 dispatcher had me on the phone with the sheriff. I dropped a pin on my smartphone, sent it to the sheriff, and made plans to meet him at the boat launch. As I was walking back to my boat I have to admit I got a bit choked up thinking about this man and his loved ones.

Twenty minutes later and back at the ramp I was talking to the sheriff, his deputies, and several members of the Jackson County Search and Rescue Squad. From the ramp we left for a gate on private property adjacent to the swamp. A very kind and helpful landowner unlocked it and let us in. By then the Search and Rescue Squad converged along with their gear and ATVs and we headed back into the swamp to the spot I dropped a pin on my smartphone. I assisted the team to the location and helped them get a canoe to the body. From that point I walked back out leaving them to retrieve the body.

Right now I'm still processing all that transpired and how I happened to end up making the discovery. They have been searching for the man for three weeks and their efforts included helicopter and dogs. Based on his location and clothing I'm not surprised they missed him.

My thanks goes out to the Jackson County Sheriff, his deputies, and the Jackson County Search and Rescue Squad. They were extremely polite, professional, and well prepared.

The links below are from news stories about the missing man. The first picture is the location to give you some idea of the terrain they've been dealing with, and the final picture is of the team in the swamp. As for me I'm fine, and am reminded just how fast hypothermia can take a person's life. Time to have a talk with my son, again, about wearing PFDs.

Jackson County officials searching for potential missing person (waff.com)

Deputies still searching for missing man in Jackson County (waff.com)





View attachment IMG_3336[1].PNG



View attachment IMG_3334.jpg
 
Last edited:
Wow. Hope you are OK, and glad you helped this man's family get some closure.

My dad was a Vietnam helicopter pilot, and stayed in a reserve unit so he could keep flying one weekend a month. His reserve unit used to frequently get deployed on search missions, and he helped find and recover a drowned fisherman once. As I recall, it took him quite a while to recover after that.
 
I can't imagine the roller coaster of emotions you're having. Above all else remember how thankful the family and friends are to have closure.
 
Kinda at a loss for words.
Glad this man's family will get some closure but I am certainly sorry you had to go through this experience.
Make sure to take time to talk to your family or a friend if you start feeling it catching up with you.
 
Around FL it happens more to fishermen than hunters. I can think of a handful of people that have found floaters. It definitely makes you think and certainly makes a lasting impression. I am sorry you were the one to find him like that, but I am sure the family is grateful for some closure.

Not a way I want to spend a morning on the way to the duck blind.
 
Eric,
Some people will say " Its unfortunate you are the one to have found him" When really it is fortunate you are the one who found him. Although this will have an affect on you take comfort that this man my now rest in peace and the peace it will bring to his family is unmeasurable.

Zane
 
It happens, found a suicide in a closed up car one August, early in the morning, was going to be in the 90's

Homicide guys after roping off the scene and ordering breakfast said, we're glad you found him early....

Also assisted in TWA flight 800 recovery, it's very sad if you think about it, so I don't.
It's good you found him.
 

Very sad and sobering indeed for all involved.

My thoughts and prayers are with all.


Each and every time we go outdoors hunting, trapping, fishing, etc. there is always a chance of injury, or worse.

Early in life, my uncle and his best friend (both WWII vets) drilled that into my cousins and my head.

Be prepared for such things as best ya can. Do not wear cotton in cold weather, always overdress, etc. - "Cuz ya can't put on what ya do not have."

Most likely we have all been on the edge of what happened to that unfortunate man.


VP
 
A difficult situation to be in, and I'm sure it's one you did not expect to find yourself in to.

It's been some years since my wife's cousin died (12/23/2013) while out in his canoe one evening prepping for a Christmas Eve hunt the next day. It was two weeks before he was found. It's always a tough time when it gets cold around here and I go hunting, constantly reminded to be safe by family.

Like was said before reach out if things are bothersome to you.
 
As has been said I'm sure the family is eternally grateful for some closure. I do think about the "what ifs" when I am out alone. I'm much better at pinpointing where I'll be if someone needs to come find me, than what I was in my younger years.
 
Eric, tough way to spend a day off, but at least the family can put it behind them now.

This is certainly a grim reminder about how dangerous our pastime can be and how important it is to be careful and have the right gear (pdf, walking stick, etc....). And I know a lot of people like to hunt by themselves (and I often do), but it is safer to go with a buddy.

v/r
Bill
 
Wow, I am sure that is a club that you never wished to be a part of. However it is noble and comforting and his family will finally have some closure. How tragic. Nothing happens by accident, and you did your part to close a chapter in this family's history.

I'm always reminded of things like this, especially yesterday when we had a blowout tide and three hours from low tide the marsh was dry as a bone. I was able to bide my time, stay warm and dry and finally walk out. Panic or thinking irrationally certainly would have ended in my demise. Especially if I got wet or stuck in the bottomless mud. Today I did a walk out hunt to a gravel bar on a Spring Creek. Not nearly as good shooting but much safer given the weather conditions.

It's no wonder Life insurance premiums are more expensive for hunters and fishermen.
 
Last edited:
One and a half for me. Our family had a summer cabin on a lake. Every afternoon mom and dad would take us to the beach area to swim, water ski and goof off. Cousin's had a cabin also so it was a family get together. When I was 14 a young girl went missing. She was in the water with her family. This being rural Kentucky it took forever for the sheriff/vol fire department to arrive. Before that a search part was organized to walk and bob thru the area. (She disappeared in less than 10ft of water) My sisters and I being competitive swimmers were asked joined in. Unfortunately I was the one to "find" her. The fire department used our jon boat to recover the body. Eerie riding back to the cabin in boat. Two things I remember, the father's reaction and the retrieval. Been 48 years and it is still crystal clear in my mind.

Second one was a skeleton found while duck hunting along the Ohio river. About 15 feet from the water line. About 20 miles down river from Cincinnati, never was identified. This was pre cell phones so we packed up and returned to the ramp for a phone. Seems like every year their looking for someone in that stretch of river. Their currently looking for a small boy. His mother was murdered in downtown Cincinnati and his stroller was fished out of the river near by. Sad

About 12 years ago a friend was hunting solo in the flooded backwaters of the Ohio River. Never wore a PFD and liked hip boots. His wife got him some waders for Christmas and he had them on that day. Saved his life. He was in the water for over a hour and the last group of hunters was heading back to the ramp. Told me they looked thru the timber and saw his boat but not him. He was known to take walks to warm up, about 1/4 mile down river it dawned on them it was to deep to wade, river being about 20ft over pool. Found him hanging on to the far side on the boat. He shouted but their outboard drowned him out. Got him in the boat and the squad met them at the ramp. Being a true waterfowler he was mainly concerned about his boat and rig. Only after they promised to retrieve them would he go to the hospital. 8 hours later he was home in front of the fire, safe and sound. Neoprene and a belt saved his life that day. Never admit it, he is stubborn old guy. 83 and still goes solo if need be.

Mike
 
Eric, I?m glad you are okay and appreciative of your awareness of the circumstance prior to your scouting. I?m sure the family is especially appreciative that their loved one has been found, recovered, and that they can now begin the grieving process and have proper closure.

Best - Paul
 
That is a sobering story! I hunt alone on occasion but prefer to have a second person. Have had plenty of close calls, especially in my younger days. I am sure the family appreciates the closure as stated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top