Missing Person in the Peace

[mpotzold]

Call to reopen search for missing paramedic/hunter comes after hiker survives 50 days in northeast B.C. woods

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...arch-1.7397823


while Sam Benastick had gone out prepared for an extended stay in the woods, Jim Barnes was only going out for the day.
"[Benastik] had so much gear with him and Jim had nothing,"

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...arch-1.7397823

[Downtown]

They like to sit in a Chopper playing with high-tech Gear which may or may not work successfully scanning the Ground. On the ground Searches are tough and it shows very quickly if you are in for the Search or just for Show.

I hope against hope he makes it out alive and his Dog too.

Cheers

[grouse14]

[huntingfamily]

The dog found near mile 95 has been identified as Jim Barnes' dog Murphy.
As posted on FB:

We feel as though we have confirmed that the dog found near Wonowon is indeed Murphy, though it was a difficult identification due to his severe condition. He is badly injured, with major swelling, puncture wounds (possibly from a dog or coyote), a broken front paw, and scabs all over. His behavior has changed too, from a quiet, independent dog to one who barks at every sound and howls. After consulting with professionals who know him well, we’re certain it’s him. We also observed him on familiar routes, and his reactions were unmistakable.
We apologize for the delay in sharing this news. Given his physical and emotional trauma, we needed time to be 100% sure before confirming. It’s been a heartbreaking journey, and while we wish Murphy could share his story, we fear we couldn’t bear to hear it. He’s such a sweet boy, and he didn’t deserve any of this, nor did Jim.
Thank you all for your ongoing care and support; it has meant the world to us. The RCMP has been contacted and plans to conduct DNA testing, though it may take weeks. We’re hoping to find a quicker way to confirm the tests, so we can get Search and Rescue back out. Finding Murphy alive gives us hope that we might finally get answers about what happened to Jim.

[RackStar]

The crazy guy in Chetwynd who was shooting at hunters also had a red quad. Maybe just coincidence but worth noting.

https://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showt...light=chetwynd

definitely a weird one… with the dog found that far away north it’s highly unlikely it got there on its own. Foul play has been my thought all along. I know there’s lots of us on here that hunt this area, a little bit unnerving

[high horse Hal]

Thats a crazy trek for Murphy if he was on his way back home to FSJ
Unfortunately his discovery won't help much with any location where Barnes may be

[ACE]

If only the dog could talk . . . have had a bad feeling about this from the start.

[ElectricDyck]

Fact that sam benastick is a Swiftie definitely calls his decision making into question....be interesting to hear more details...mountainous country is hard to get to lost in.

[walks with deer]

definitely a weird one… with the dog found that far away north it’s highly unlikely it got there on its own. Foul play has been my thought all along. I know there’s lots of us on here that hunt this area, a little bit unnerving

Smells that way...
And how did sam hide so long.

[RackStar]

Sam’s probably going to fire up a YouTube channel and try and cash in on his story. If that was indeed a stunt.