Missing hunter found after text from Hawke's Bay

Thursday, 23 November 2017

Cameron Young, 37, disappeared on Monday afternoon, leaving his dogs at home.

A hunter who disappeared, leaving his dogs at home and his family worried, has been found.

Cameron Young, 37, went missing near Havelock, on the edge of the Marlborough Sounds, about 4pm on Monday.

Young left without telling anyone where he was going, his Toyota Hilux SR5 was gone and his dogs were left at home, which was out of character.

Police were notified and his brother James Young asked the public for help on Tuesday night, not knowing where Young liked to hunt or fish, or where to start looking.

Police found Young's Hilux at the Marlborough Airport and his cellphone 'pinged' near a Hawke's Bay cellphone tower on Wednesday afternoon, his brother said.

'Obviously when that happened we all breathed a sigh of relief.'

His plan to hire helicopters to sweep the Havelock area was then called off, James Young said.

'I tried to call him again and again yesterday, to no avail.'

He finally received a text message from Young on Thursday morning, asking for space and privacy, his brother said.

'He's fine, he just doesn't really want to be found.'

The family was from Hawke's Bay originally, and he was no longer worried about Young's mental state, he said.

He was grateful for the support shown by the public, he said.

'That was amazing, I guess social media is good for some things. It was incredible, the amount of support and messages and offers of help, and it achieved what we were hoping for.'

Young's German pointer Zac and blue heeler Bundy were being looked after by Young's parents in Blenheim, his brother said.