Hunter Found Alive After Spending 20 Days Missing in California Wilderness: ‘God Still Does Miracles,’ His Wife Says

A 55-year-old hunter who vanished for nearly three weeks was found alive in the Sierra National Forest on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Ron Dailey left for a day hunt on Oct. 13, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO). When he didn’t return, his family contacted authorities. Dailey had headed toward the Swamp Lake Trail, but after a wrong turn he became lost in unfamiliar terrain. His truck later broke down, he told ABC 7, leaving him to use the vehicle for shelter at about 10,000 feet. He had enough food for roughly two weeks.

Realizing the danger he was in, Dailey told himself, “ ‘Now this is it Ron, two days of hunting — you either try to walk out or you’re gonna sit here and die,’ ” he recalled to ABC News. He set out to find help, but fell several times while descending and lost his phone, cutting off any way to call for assistance, ABC News reported.

Multiple local agencies searched the forest for 20 days. On Saturday, Nov. 1, a group of hikers finally spotted him. “I can’t hardly walk anymore, Lord, you gotta help me Father God,” Dailey told ABC 7. “I raised my head up, there was a car with headlights on and I go, ‘Oh God, thank you Lord.’ ”

His wife, Glenda Dailey, shared her relief when he returned home. “Thank you everyone that prayed for our family and for Ron. I do believe in miracles, and this is one,” she said, according to ABC News.

Dailey was taken to Clovis Community Medical Center after his rescue and was expected to be released on Monday, Nov. 3. No further updates were immediately available.

Glenda also posted a statement on Facebook on Sunday, Nov. 2: “I want to thank everyone for all the support and love that we received while we patiently waited for Ron. God has answered the prayers of so many of us 🙌🙏. He is going to be shocked when I show him all of the people who searched for him. To the men who went down that road and found him, I am eternally grateful for you; I cannot wait to meet you. There are so many family members, friends and people we do not even know that were looking and we are so thankful to all of you! God still does miracles, and we have just been shown one 🙌🙏.”