FARMINGTON — State police say a lost bear hunter has been found exhausted and dehydrated in the woods in Western Pennsylvania.

Police at the Uniontown barracks said 38-year-old Michael Wishard apparently became disoriented while trying to leave the woods Saturday evening after hunting all day.

Authorities said he is hearing impaired but had communicated by text messages with his parents, telling them he was all right but couldn’t find his way out.

State police, fire and emergency personnel searched with the aid of a helicopter and eventually found him. Police said he was exhausted and dehydrated but was able to walk out with some assistance.

But police said considering his condition and the weather, “the outcome may have been much different” had he not been found quickly.