Missing hunter Ron Dailey of Selma found alive near Swamp Lake Trail after 20 days lost in Sierra wilderness

CLOVIS, Calif. — A missing hunter who had been missing for 20 days in California was found alive on Saturday.

Ron Dailey, of Selma, California was supposed to be gone for a day of hunting in the Sierra National Forest, and when he didn’t return home, his family contacted the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Dailey said he went to the Swamp Lake Trail. Before he knew it, he found himself in uncharted territory.

“I went over this thing, and it was scraping bottom. I looked up the tree in front of it, it said Diamond Road, jeep road. That means you’d better have a rock crawler. I don’t have a rock crawler,” said Dailey.

He continued down the trail. Eventually, he realized his truck was destroyed, so he used it as shelter. Dailey had food for about two weeks.

After several days had passed, at an elevation of about 10,000 feet, Dailey decided to make a move.

“You either try to walk out or you’re going to sit here and die,” said Dailey.

The Selma man said he fell a couple of times going downhill, and when he was at the bottom of a rocky hill, he noticed he lost his phone.

Weeks passed and Dailey said after several miles of walking and lots of praying — relief.

Authorities said he was found by a group of hunters near Swamp Lake Trail on Saturday.

“There were resources from across the Central Valley that came here. We have different counties that sent equipment. Kern County sent equipment. Of course, Tulare County, Kings County all had individuals here assisting with the search,” said Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig.

Dailey’s daughter, Breanna, recorded him recounting how he got lost as he recovered at in a Clovis hospital.

Dailey is being monitored by doctors. The family says if everything goes as planned, Dailey will be released on Monday.