Another hunting tragedy

By Susan Hallock
HIGHLAND — Charles Hallock, 71, of Highland Lake, was found dead on Saturday, November 29 at about 10 a.m.
Hallock was reported missing when he failed to come out of the woods after hunting with family members and friends just south of the Eldred Preserve off of State Route 55 in the Town of Highland.
It is suspected that Hallock suffered a heart attack, however, autopsy reports are still pending.
Hallock had suffered two heart attacks previously, with the last one around 10 years ago.
Hallock was hunting on land that he was very familiar with and had hunted many times before. Hallock was found with his gun next to him, as well as the two-way radio that he used to keep in touch with his family. He was reported missing on Friday when he did not check in at the expected time.
Town of Highland Constables answered the initial 911 call at 5:12 p.m. and requested the Yulan and Highland Lake fire companies to the scene.
A short time later, Sheriff's Deputies and State Forest rangers responded along with the Sullivan County Bureau of Fire.
A command post was set up at the Town of Highland Senior Citizens Center as rescuers searched the surrounding forest.
A state police helicopter combed the woods using a thermal imaging system, but the pilot reported that the thick canopy of pine trees made viewing of the ground difficult. The search was called off just before midnight.
Rescue workers resumed the search at daylight Saturday, and at 9:36 a.m., the state police helicopter spotted Hallock approximately one half mile into the woods behind a residence located at 863 State Route 55.
It was estimated that over 150 fire personnel, ambulance members, state police, sheriffs and park rangers searched for the lost hunter. Hallock was missing for approximately 17 hours before he was found, roughly a quarter mile from where he was last seen.