Courtesy WHDH

Ronald Gray, 62 from Massachusetts is missing in Northern Idaho

Authorities and trained volunteers in northern Idaho are searching for a 62-year-old Massachusetts man who went missing during an elk hunting trip.

Retired police Capt. Ronald Gray, of North Brookfield, Mass., had been hunting with companions last week when he didn't arrive as expected at a meeting point in the Nez Perce National Forest on Sept. 23.

He was reported missing three days later.

Idaho County Sheriff Larry Dasenbrock said a posse has been searching on the ground and by helicopter with the assistance of a private pilot and the Idaho Army National Guard.

Dasenbrock told the Lewiston Tribune that Gray was in reasonably good health before he vanished and had been in the area twice before, so he was somewhat familiar with the terrain. The sheriff also said it appeared that Gray had visited supply caches since he was reported missing.

The search is extensive, covering about 5,200 square miles.

People who worked with Gray in Massachusetts said they're having a hard time waiting for word on the search.

Retired Massachusetts state Trooper Robert Benoit said he plans to fly to Idaho this week and assist authorities and volunteers while they search for Gray.

"It's not good when you don't communicate for so long, and he's not the type who would create any cause for worry," Benoit told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette in Massachusetts.

John J. Nida, chief deputy for the Idaho County sheriff's office, said it will be harder to find Gray he doesn't know that authorities are searching for him.

Retired Massachusetts State Police Lt. Col. John Cunningham said Gray is a longtime friend who could fend for himself if he got lost in the Idaho forest.

"But if he got injured, I'm afraid that by this time, he could be running out of resources," Cunningham said.