A substantial search and rescue effort is underway in Southern Colorado after two elk hunters went missing. The hunters—Andrew Porter, a 25-year-old from Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, a 25-year-old from Salt Lake City, Utah—have not been heard from since September 11, according to a Facebook post from Porter’s fiancée, Bridget Murphy.
“They were hunting in Unit 81 of the Rio Grande National Forest off of the Los Pinos Trailhead and have lost use of [their] Garmin,” wrote Murphy. “While they are experienced hunters, bad storms and fog came in quickly and continuously until Sunday morning.”
The hunters were reported overdue on September 13. In a press release, the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office said that it promptly located Porter and Stasko’s vehicle at the trailhead and that “camping gear and backpackers were located” inside of it—but the hunters have yet to be located. “We assume they probably thought they were going out for a quick evening hunt with clear weather,” wrote Murphy.
The Conejos County Sheriff’s Office quickly initiated a “massive” search effort involving “air operations, multi-county and state ground teams, dog teams, drone teams, ATVs, and local volunteers.”
In a separate Facebook Post, Murphy announced a $10,000 reward for whoever finds Porter and Stasko. “We need more able and willing searchers and crews right now,” said Murphy on September 16. “These two are very savvy and resourceful. I pray every minute they are trying their best to survive.”
Feature image via Bridget Murphy’s Facebook.
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