The mysterious disappearance of Thomas Messick continues to baffle investigators nearly a decade after the incident. In November 2015, this 82-year-old veteran vanished without a trace during a hunting expedition with family and friends near Brant Lake, New York. Despite his limited mobility and partial blindness, Messick had maintained the tradition of annual hunting trips for over 55 years, making his sudden disappearance all the more perplexing.

The hunting party had established a strategic formation that day, with the older members, including Messick, positioned at 100-yard intervals while younger participants circled a nearby hill to drive deer toward them. When the group decided to conclude their unusually quiet day of hunting—having observed no wildlife activity whatsoever—they discovered Messick was missing from his designated spot. No distress calls were heard, no communication came through his walkie-talkie, and no evidence of his whereabouts has ever been found.

Key Takeaways

An 82-year-old veteran with limited mobility vanished without a trace during a family hunting trip in 2015.
The hunting area was eerily silent that day, with no wildlife activity observed throughout the expedition.
Despite the hunters having walkie-talkies and being positioned relatively close to one another, no one witnessed or heard anything unusual when Messick disappeared.

Thomas Messick Vanishing: A Hunting Mystery

The Case Unfolds

On November 15, 2015, 82-year-old veteran Thomas Messick disappeared during a hunting trip near Lily Pond in Brant Lake, New York. Despite having limited mobility and being blind in one eye, Messick joined six other hunters, including family members and friends, for their annual expedition.

The group arrived at the hunting location around 10 AM, which is considered a late start for typical hunting outings. They positioned themselves strategically, with Messick and three other older men stationed at 100-yard intervals while younger hunters planned to drive deer toward them from the opposite side of a hill.

What made this day particularly unusual was the complete silence in the woods. Throughout their six-hour hunt, the group reported hearing no wildlife sounds whatsoever—no deer, squirrels, birds, or even small animals rustling in the underbrush. This eerie silence would later seem significant.

Annual Hunting Tradition

For 55 consecutive years, Messick and his family had maintained their hunting tradition in the Brant Lake area. The family, originally from Troy, New York, considered these trips an important bonding experience across generations.

While they were familiar with the broader Brant Lake region, on this particular day, they chose to explore Lily Pond—an area approximately two miles from their main campsite that they hadn't hunted before.

The hunting method they employed was specifically adapted to accommodate the older participants. The younger hunters (men in their 30s and 40s) would circle around a hill to flush out deer, driving them toward the stationary older men who would then take the shots. The elevation of the hill was intended to prevent any safety issues with crossfire.

Each hunter carried a walkie-talkie for communication, and they were all equipped with rifles. When the group decided to end the hunt around 2:30-3:30 PM due to lack of game, they made a general announcement over their communication devices to regroup at their vehicles. It was only upon returning that they realized Messick was missing from his assigned position, with no response on his walkie-talkie and no signs of distress having been reported.

The Hunting Expedition Mechanics

The Lily Pond Location Setup

The hunting group established their position at Lily Pond, a previously unexplored area approximately two miles from their usual hunting grounds at Brant Lake, New York. This location was accessible via a 12-minute drive down a dirt access road. Despite the group's 55 years of hunting experience in the surrounding region, this specific spot represented new territory for them. The hunters arrived at approximately 10:00 AM, considerably later than the typical 5:00 AM setup time preferred by most experienced hunters.

The environment at Lily Pond demonstrated unusual characteristics during their November 15, 2015 expedition. Throughout their 6-hour hunting session, participants noted a complete absence of wildlife activity—no deer, squirrels, birds, or even small animals rustling in the underbrush. This eerie silence persisted across the entire hunting area, creating an unnatural atmosphere that experienced hunters might recognize as concerning.

Hunting Party Organization

The seven-member hunting party organized themselves strategically based on age and mobility capabilities:

Group Members Position Purpose Senior Hunters Four elderly men including 82-year-old Tom Messick Spaced at 100-yard intervals near the exit road Wait for game to approach their position Younger Hunters Men in their 30s and 40s Positioned on the opposite side of a large hill Drive deer toward the stationary senior hunters

This arrangement accommodated physical limitations while maintaining hunting effectiveness. Tom Messick, positioned at the far end closest to the exit road, had visual impairments (blind in one eye) but remained capable of aiming with his functional eye through a rifle scope.

Hunting Tactics and Safety Considerations

The hunting strategy implemented at Lily Pond relied on a "push" technique—younger hunters would traverse the area, driving any deer toward the stationary senior hunters waiting at predetermined positions. The large hill between the two groups served as a natural safety barrier, preventing bullets from potentially reaching the driving hunters due to the parabolic trajectory limitations.

Communication between hunters maintained through walkie-talkies, crucial for coordination and safety. The standard emergency protocol in hunting situations included firing three shots to signal distress—an important safety measure when someone becomes separated from the group.

The hunters maintained 100-yard spacing between positions, creating a balanced perimeter that maximized coverage while preserving safe shooting zones. Each hunter carried a rifle, which typically provides adequate protection against the regional wildlife threats such as black bears, which generally retreat when hearing gunfire. Despite the comprehensive safety measures, the hunting party discovered Tom Messick's absence around 2:30-3:30 PM when members attempted to regroup at their vehicles.

Unusual Aspects of the Hunt

The November 2015 hunting trip to Lily Pond near Brant Lake, New York, involved several peculiar circumstances that stood out from typical hunting expeditions. What began as a routine family tradition quickly developed into something quite extraordinary, with several notable anomalies that deserve closer examination.

The Silence in the Woods

The hunting party experienced an unsettling absence of sound throughout their excursion. Despite arriving at 10 AM—already considered late for a hunting start—the seven hunters encountered complete silence during their entire six-hour stay in the woods.

No ambient forest sounds were detected whatsoever. This unusual quiet persisted from morning until mid-afternoon when they decided to conclude their hunt. Experienced hunters recognize that forest environments typically contain consistent background noise from various sources, making this prolonged silence particularly noteworthy.

Lack of Wildlife Activity

The complete absence of animal activity represented another striking abnormality during the hunting trip. Throughout their six-hour expedition, the group observed:

No deer sightings
No squirrels moving through trees
No birds flying overhead or calling
No small creatures rustling in the underbrush

This complete wildlife absence occurred despite the group hunting in a supposedly game-rich area. Seasoned hunters understand that even on unsuccessful hunting days, some wildlife evidence typically remains visible or audible. The total absence of animal activity directly contradicted what would be expected in a normal forest environment, even accounting for the party's somewhat late morning arrival.

The only sound anyone reported hearing was described as unidentifiable by most group members—something they couldn't readily categorize based on their extensive outdoor experience.

Messick's Disappearance

Finding Him Gone

On November 15, 2015, what began as a routine hunting trip turned into a baffling mystery. Thomas Messick, an 82-year-old veteran with partial blindness and hearing loss, vanished without a trace while hunting with family and friends near Brant Lake, New York. The group had arrived at Lily Pond around 10 AM—a later start than typical hunting expeditions, which usually begin at dawn. Despite his limited mobility, Messick had participated in this annual family tradition for 55 years.

The hunting party had positioned themselves strategically. The older members, including Messick, were stationed at 100-yard intervals near an exit road. The younger hunters planned to circle around a hill and drive deer toward the seniors' position.

The Hunt for Thomas

When the group decided to end their unsuccessful hunt around 2:30 PM, they made a disturbing discovery—Messick wasn't at his designated spot. What made his disappearance particularly strange was that he had been positioned only 100 yards from another hunter. At his age and with his physical limitations, Messick couldn't have wandered far independently.

The hunting area at Lily Pond was relatively small, only a 12-minute drive from their main campsite at Brant Lake. The search party immediately began looking for Messick, expecting to find him nearby. Despite having walkie-talkies for communication, no distress call had been received from the missing man.

The Unexplained Noise

Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of Messick's disappearance was the complete silence that had enveloped the woods throughout the day. The hunters reported an unusual absence of wildlife—no deer, squirrels, birds, or even the typical rustling sounds of small animals. This eerie quiet is often considered a warning sign in wilderness areas.

Several members of the hunting party reported hearing an unusual sound they couldn't identify. This mysterious noise remains one of the few potential clues to what might have happened to Messick. Experienced outdoorsmen know that when the forest falls silent, it typically indicates the presence of a predator or danger, though the group hadn't been concerned at the time given their numbers and firearms.

Local Geography and Its Role

Brant Lake, New York sits nestled in the Adirondack region, creating a landscape frequently used by hunting parties. Lily Pond, located about two miles from the main lake area, represents a more secluded hunting ground accessible via a short dirt road that takes approximately 12 minutes to traverse. This area features varied terrain including significant hills that hunting parties sometimes strategically utilize.

The topography of the region influences hunting tactics, with higher elevations creating natural barriers that can enhance safety during group hunts. These geographical features allow hunters to position themselves at different vantage points while maintaining relative safety from one another's line of fire. The natural contours of the land, particularly the hills surrounding Lily Pond, provide opportunities for experienced hunters to coordinate their movements.

Wildlife patterns in the area typically include various game animals, small mammals, and birds. Under normal circumstances, the forest ecosystem maintains a constant background of animal activities and sounds. However, the environment occasionally experiences unusual periods of complete silence, which experienced outdoorsmen recognize as potentially significant.

The region generally hosts black bears rather than more aggressive species like grizzlies. Black bears typically avoid human contact, particularly when firearms are present, making them less concerning for properly equipped hunting parties. The forested areas provide sufficient cover for human movement while still offering clear lines of sight for responsible hunting.

Weather conditions in November 2015 created suitable hunting conditions with temperatures manageable for outdoor activities. The forests around Brant Lake maintain established paths and access points, making navigation relatively straightforward for those familiar with the area. Despite this accessibility, the dense woodland can quickly disorient individuals who stray from known paths.

The Dangers of Wild Animals

Encountering wildlife while exploring natural areas presents significant risks that outdoor enthusiasts should understand. When venturing into wooded regions, paying attention to natural warning signs can be critical for safety.

One of the most telling indicators of potential danger is sudden silence in a forest environment. When birds stop chirping, squirrels cease rustling, and the usual background noise of wildlife disappears, this often signals the presence of a predator. Experienced outdoorspeople recognize this silence as a warning to be cautious or leave the area.

Different predators pose varying levels of threat. Black bears typically fear humans and will retreat when confronted with loud noises or gunshots. Grizzly bears, in contrast, may continue advancing even after being shot, making them considerably more dangerous. Understanding the specific predators native to your region is essential for proper safety planning.

Communication remains vital for group safety in wilderness settings. Groups should:

Maintain regular contact through walkie-talkies
Establish clear check-in protocols
Set predetermined meeting points and times
Ensure everyone knows emergency procedures

Hunting practices require particular attention to safety. Positioning hunters in lines with adequate spacing (approximately 100 yards between individuals) helps prevent accidents, though visibility and communication limitations can create dangerous situations. The terrain itself, such as hills, can provide natural safety barriers between hunting parties.

Age and physical limitations are important considerations when planning outdoor activities. Individuals with mobility issues, vision impairments, or hearing difficulties face increased risks and should never venture alone into remote areas, regardless of their experience level.

Even familiar locations can become disorienting under certain circumstances. Weather changes, injuries, or unexpected wildlife encounters can quickly transform a routine outing into a dangerous situation, particularly for those with physical limitations.

Hunting Communication Protocols

When embarking on hunting expeditions, maintaining reliable communication can be crucial for safety and coordination. During the Thomas Messick case from 2015, several communication failures highlighted this importance.

Walkie-talkies are standard equipment for hunting parties, especially when members spread out over distance. In the Messick case, hunters positioned themselves at 100-yard intervals, with the older members stationed in fixed positions while younger hunters circled around to drive deer toward them.

Despite carrying walkie-talkies, the group experienced communication breakdowns. When the party decided to conclude their unsuccessful hunt around mid-afternoon, they issued a general recall over the devices. However, they failed to confirm individual responses from each member, including Messick.

Traditional hunter signaling methods include firing patterns of shots when someone becomes lost. Typically, three shots serve as a distress signal, though this practice raises safety concerns and may not be universally recommended.

The hunting party structure itself reflected common practices:

Fixed Position Hunters: Usually less mobile members (often older)
Mobile Hunters: More physically capable members who drive game
Communication Checkpoints: Regular times to confirm positions

For larger hunting parties, a buddy system or regular check-in schedule can prevent situations where a missing member goes unnoticed for hours. The Messick group didn't realize his absence until they regrouped at their vehicles.

Environmental awareness also plays into communication protocols. The complete silence in the woods during their hunt—no birds, squirrels, or rustling—should have prompted increased vigilance and more frequent communication checks.

The Vanishing of Thomas Messick: Unsolved Adirondack Mystery Still Haunts After 10 Years