MONTICELLO - The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a hunter who was reported missing early Friday evening. Charles Hallock, Sr., 71, of Eldred was reported missing when he failed to come out of the woods after hunting with family members just south of the Eldred Preserve off of State Route 55 in the Town of Highland. He may have suffered a heart attack.

Town of Highland Constables answered the initial 911 call at 5:12 p.m. and requested the Yulan and Highland Lake fire companies to the scene.

A short time later sheriff's deputies and state forest rangers responded along with the Sullivan County Bureau of Fire. A command post was set up at the Town of Highland senior citizens center as rescuers searched the surrounding forest.

A state police helicopter combed the woods using a FLIR thermal imaging system. The pilot reported that the thick canopy of pine trees made viewing of the ground difficult.

The search was called off just before midnight. Rescue workers resumed the search at daylight Saturday.

At 9:36 a.m., the state police helicopter spotted Hallock about a half mile into the woods behind a residence located at 863 ST-55. The helicopter directed ground units to the location where Hallock was found dead, with his hunting rifle nearby.

Sheriff's detectives suspect he may have suffered a heart attack. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.