Missing Deer Hunter, 18, Found Unharmed

An 18-year-old deer hunter who had been missing overnight in Angeles National Forest was discovered Sunday walking toward the command post set up by searchers.

Sergio Vejar of Los Angeles, who told authorities that he became lost while hunting, was extremely hungry and tired but suffered no injuries, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Spear said.

Vejar began the hunting expedition with his father and several friends at 8 a.m. Saturday. The hunters separated, agreeing to meet at noon at the Chilao ranger station, several miles north of Sierra Madre, where they had parked their car.

Vejar’s father notified authorities when his son failed to appear, and the Montrose Search and Rescue Team began looking for the teen-ager that evening.

A helicopter joined the search at dawn. Vejar was spotted at 8:10 a.m. as he hiked toward the searchers’ command post at Devil’s Canyon Overlook, about 10 miles east of the ranger station, authorities said.