Duck Hunters Rescued on Kerr Lake

Several emergency teams braved the cold Monday night to rescue a pair of duck hunters on Kerr Lake.

Steve Rutherford, Sequoyah County Emergency Management director, said two Arkansas duck hunters had launched their boat near the Sequoyah County Wildlife Refuge, and when waves started getting bad, they anchored the boat on what they thought was Cattail Island in Kerr Lake, and called 911 for assistance in getting back to shore.

“They told us that was where they were, but that’s not where they were,” Rutherford said, referring to Cattail Island. “They needed a ride to shore. They didn’t feel comfortable coming in.”

Swift water rescue teams from Tenkiller RFD1, McKey and Vian fire departments were called in around 6:30 p.m. Monday to help search for the hunters. After conversing with one of the men by cell phone, rescue workers were able to pin his location, which was closer to Tamaha in Haskell County.

Members of the Tamaha Fire Department and Haskell County Emergency Management were able to launch a boat and locate the two duck hunters.

Rutherford said all rescue teams involved did an excellent job, considering the weather conditions and the more than five hours it took to rescue the men.

“It was cold out there, and of course, they (hunters) were colder than we were,” he added.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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