Searchers on Monday afternoon found the body of a Searcy County man who had been missing for three days in the Buffalo National River.

The body of Wilson Taylor of St. Joe was found about 4 p.m. by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission dive team and Harrison Fire Department crews, according to a news release from the National Park Service.

He was found upstream of Baker Ford, near Rocky Hollow, the release states.

Taylor, who rescue organizers believe was about 49, left for a turkey hunt early Friday morning, according to a statement from Buffalo National River spokesman Caven Clark. He was traveling downstream in a kayak near Baker Ford, approximately 3 miles west of river’s crossing at U.S. 65.

Family members reported Taylor missing Saturday morning. By about 10 a.m .,the Buffalo National River Search and Rescue Team began searching, sending out volunteers on foot, on horseback and in helicopters.

Personnel from more than a dozen other agencies joined in the efforts, and by Sunday, the number of searchers had swelled to about 125, according to the statement. Glenn Wheeler, a coordinator with Newton County Search and Rescue, said search efforts continued until darkness fell Saturday and Sunday.

Karen Bradford, chief ranger at the Buffalo National River, said that after eliminating many possible locations where searchers might locate Taylor on land, the number of search personnel was reduced Monday to about 75, as searchers focused on the river itself, employing river boats and dive teams. According to the statement, personal items believed to belong to Taylor were found along the riverbank Saturday.

Arkansas, Pages 10 on 05/06/2014