‘Want him to come home,’: Family of hunter missing near Shaver Lake speaks out

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – As the search continues in Fresno County for missing 65-year-old Selma resident Ron Dailey, his family spoke out to the media for the first time on Wednesday, trying to shed further light on his disappearance.

They say he is an experienced hunter, and they’re hopeful that experience will help him survive the wilderness until help arrives.

“He’s a very smart man. He has 50-plus years of experience with hunting. So, we know if he broke down, or something happened to his vehicle, that he’s just hunkering down and waiting it out,” said Breanna Vargas, Dailey’s daughter.

Vargas and her mother, Ron’s wife, Glenda Dailey, say he was only supposed to be gone for the day after leaving their Selma home Monday morning.

“He never is late. He says he’s going to be here by a certain time, he’s here,” Glenda said.” He was just going to do a day hunt. That was it, and come home.”

They say when they hadn’t heard from him, and noticed his phone’s location stopped moving along Dinkey Creek Rd., east of Shaver Lake, they made the call to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s not like him to not reach out, and we’re just missing him and just want him to come home safely,” Vargas said.

Wednesday, in the now snow-covered area, sheriff’s deputies and search and rescue volunteers are looking from the air by helicopter, and on the ground by using off-road vehicles.

“Areas we’re searching are Blue Canyon, Wishon, Courtright, and Rock Creek road area,” said Sgt. Scott Weishaar with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. “Very large area. Hundreds of miles of Forest Service roads to search. Obviously, conditions aren’t ideal.”

While conditions are expected to improve quickly to help with the search, deputies and volunteers are still moving with urgency, especially since Dailey has heart issues and Type 2 diabetes.

“He did not take his medication with him because he planned on it being a day trip,” Vargas said. “He’s been very good with controlling his blood sugar for about five or six months now. So, we’re hoping without his medication, it doesn’t make a huge difference, but you never know.”

Both Varags and Glenda say Ron did have food with him that he should be able to ration for a few days.

Ron Dailey is 5 feet and 7 inches tall and 190 pounds. His truck has a California plate number 16028S2.

If anyone sees him, his truck, or any sign of him, call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.