Search continues for missing hunter

Newton County Sheriff Robert Burby said Sunday that crews searched all weekend, but still have not come up with any leads or information on the whereabouts of 38 year old Joshua Ian Larkin, a Call man, who is been missing since Thursday. Officers say Larkin was last seen by his mother on Thursday morning, when he came by her home to visit and told her that he was going hunting. The mother reportedly told officers she learned later in the day that Joshua had not returned from the hunting trip. Officers say the mother's concern increased even more the next day when she learned that her son's car was still at his home, prompting her to call the sheriffs department. Sheriff Burby said on the search on Saturday and Sunday was conducted by deputies with his department who were assisted by both the Vernon and Beauregard Parish Sheriffs Departments and the volunteers of the Trout Creek Fire Department. Burby said the searchers walked, rode four-wheelers and side by sides as they combed the area. He said they also used specially trained dogs from the Vernon Parish Sheriffs Department to comb the area, but came up empty handed. Sheriff Burby is asking anyone that might know of the whereabouts of Joshua Ian Larkin or having any information about his disappearance to contact he or any officer. Larkin is described as a white male, standing approximately 6 foot high and weighing 18o pounds with short brown hair and green eyes.