Sarasota Hunter Found Dead in Pasco County Swamp

A 56-year-old Sarasota hunter was found dead Monday in the Green Swamp West Wildlife Management Area in Pasco County, according to investigators.

Investigators from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission believe that David Smowton died of a medical issue. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Smowton was known to have health problems, said Kevin Doll, spokesman for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, but he would not disclose what they were. The results of a medical exam may take several weeks.

Smowton was found dead about a mile from his truck off of Main Line in Green Swamp West, Fish and Wildlife Officer George Wells said. The Fish and Wildlife officer had to reach Smowton via an ATV due to thet terrain, Wells said.

Florida Fish and Wildlife had received a call Monday from Smowton's brother, Greg Smowton, saying that David had not returned from a weekend hunting trip at the swamp.

Officials say that Smowton had been hunting small game with a shotgun. Feral hogs, white-tailed deer, alligators, wild turkey and bobwhite quail are common in the swamp, according to the Fish and Wildlife's website.

Florida Fish and Wildlife staff, along with members of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, had to wade through an extensive area of the 34,335 acres of Green Swamp West in their search to find the hunter.

The investigation to confirm the cause of death is continuing.

This article has been corrected to clarify the location of the deceased and how he was located.