Falling water levels create challenge for search efforts for missing hunters

Entering the eighth full day of the search operation for two young duck hunters, search and rescue teams are faced with falling water levels on the Mississippi River.

As the river continues to fall over the next few days, launching search and recovery vessels from the landing at LeTourneau could become impossible.

Palmer and Hughes

The young men, Gunner Palmer, 16, and Zeb Hughes, 21, both from Copiah County, went out on a boat Dec. 3 with their dog to find a good spot for duck hunting near Davis Island. They have not been heard from since that afternoon, and search efforts began that night.

County and state officials have requested assistance from the land owners of the former LeTourneau Technologies property to use a ramp formerly used by LaFarge Aggregates in their rock unloading operations before the company relocated to Warrenton Road.

Other options include launching from the Vicksburg city waterfront or the landing near Grand Gulf in Claiborne County. Officials could also attempt to use county or private resources to dredge out the area around the LeTourneau landing.

Warren County officials are having discussions about the situation Friday morning.

This is a developing situation and Vicksburg Daily News will bring you additional information as becomes available to us.