John Early 

An extensive search effort is underway to find an Ashland man who has been missing since Sunday.

John Early, 65, was hunting mushrooms with a friend in the area of mile marker 26 off Highway 66 Sunday, but the men became separated.

“They have a good approximate location, and there’s a large team out there looking. I would imagine they’re pouring through the woods out there right now. Last night, they had a vehicle team out looking,” said Aaron Lewis, public information officer for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

The rescue effort has drawn resources from bordering counties. Resources involved in the search include all-terrain vehicles, canine units and a horseback team, which can cover large areas of terrain, Lewis said. 

Early and his friend were on a camping trip. Early is described as 6-feet-2 and 200 pounds with fair skin, blue eyes and red hair. He was last seen wearing a long john shirt with a hoodie, jeans and hiking boots. He does not have a vehicle and he does not drive, according to the release.

To report any information related to Early’s disappearance, call Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon Dispatch at 541-776-7206 and reference JCSO case 23-2406.