Police and Parks Canada staff in Fort Chipewyan are organizing a search after four boaters and hunters went missing on Sunday.

According to Eriel Deranger, spokesperson for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), the four men left the northern hamlet Sunday afternoon by boat for a hunting trip.

The hunters, who have been described as highly experienced outdoorsmen with a strong knowledge of the area, were expected to return that evening, but never came back. The men were reported missing to police shortly after 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Chief Steve Courtoreille of the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN) said a search party located their boat and guns on Monday, but found no sign of where the four men were.

"The only thing we can do is pray and support the families," he said. "I can’t even imagine what the families are going through. The men are part of our community and all of us are very concerned."

Police say the men started their journey at the Rocher River, just north of Fort Chipewyan, and were heading to a nearby site called Devil’s Gate. Deranger says much of the ice covering the local lake and river systems have broken and cleared, but there are still ice chunks throughout the area.

Search and rescue teams are searching the area with the help of two helicopters and approximately 30 boats from the community.The search includes Wood Buffalo RCMP, Parks Canada staff and local residents.

vmcdermott@postmedia.com