Found Deceased CO - Andrew Porter & Ian Stasko, both 25, Missing while hunting San Juan Wilderness Area CO. 9/13/25. Vehicle Found.

[FoxxTraxx]

Massive search effort underway in Colorado for 2 missing hunters​

KOAA News-Two Hunters Missing South Central Colorado

25-year-old Andrew Porter of Asheville, North Carolina and 25-year-old Ian Stasko of Salt Lake City, Utah were in the San Juan Wilderness Area west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir when they failed to check in with loved ones at a predetermined time.

They were supposed to contact family by 9/13/25. Vehicle found and had their camping gear inside. This area is sparsely populated and near the border with New Mexico.

 

[outback]

It doesn't say in the article their weapons were found. I wonder if something happened when they arrived at that location.

 

[vls12345]

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/search-underway-for-missing-hunters-southern-colorado/73-aa1b9832-78e9-4b27-bdf9-13a7cb859f8c

Camping gear and backpacks were located in the vehicle, which prompted deputies to become concerned due to heavy rain and bad weather in the area, according to the sheriff's office.

There is a $10,000 reward for whoever finds them, Murphy said on Facebook. If you were in the area and spotted either man and may have information on their possible location, you can contact the Conejos County Sheriff's Office at 719-376-2196.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

It doesn't say in the article their weapons were found. I wonder if something happened when they arrived at that location.

There are some legends about large grizzly bears still inhabiting this area and occasionally surprising unsuspecting visitors. That's very unlikely. I suspect they were anxious to explore the area and then got lost. Hopefully a search team will find them soon.

 

[vls12345]

Search intensifies for missing hunters in Colorado, including Asheville man

A search is underway for two missing hunters in Colorado, including a man from Asheville, Conejos County dispatch confirmed with News 13.

wlos.com

 

[GraceG]

There are some legends about large grizzly bears still inhabiting this area and occasionally surprising unsuspecting visitors. That's very unlikely. I suspect they were anxious to explore the area and then got lost. Hopefully a search team will find them soon.

My hope as well. My son in law hunts that area, and it's pretty rugged and remote. Getting lost is always a possibility. Although there are black bears (some of which look "brown" due to variances in fur color,) it's thought that the Brown Bear (Grizzley) has been extinct in Colorado since the late 70s. Some hunters in outdoor forums disagree, saying they've seen them in Colorado, but the State Parks and Wildlife division doesn't believe that, there's been no tangible proof of it that they know of. Grizzly Bear

 

[FoxxTraxx]

My hope as well. My son in law hunts that area, and it's pretty rugged and remote. Getting lost is always a possibility. Although there are black bears (some of which look "brown" due to variances in fur color,) it's thought that the Brown Bear (Grizzley) has been extinct in Colorado since the late 70s. Some hunters in outdoor forums disagree, saying they've seen them in Colorado, but the State Parks and Wildlife division doesn't believe that, there's been no tangible proof of it that they know of. Grizzly Bear

I noticed a lot of experienced hunters are providing assistance via social media. Some are even giving up their hunting time to help with the ground search. No updates on news sites so far. No trace of the two missing men has been found since their vehicle was discovered.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Some new information is being reported. Ian and Andrew were spotted on Friday 9/12. They were expected to return home on Wed. 9/17/25. This article has a lot of information - I only clipped out the most important.

Other Hunters Report Latest Sighting of 2 Missing Elk Hunters, as Massive Search Effort Continues in Colorado

Outdoor Life Colorado Missing Elk Hunters as of 9/17/25

[O]ther hunters spotted the two men at 10 a.m. Friday at the Spruce Hole Trailhead. The missing hunters reportedly told the other hunters they’d seen a big bull and were heading back out to hunt.

• Vehicle was reportedly moved around 11 a.m. Friday back to Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead and later found locked by SAR.
• They were carrying phones, a Garmin InReach, bows, knives, game bags, light hunting gear, and clothing (no firearms).
  

 

[Taffy550]

Praying for these guys to be found safe.

 

[Knox]

What’s the consensus here? With two hunters, if one was injured the other could get help. They had the Garmin Inreach, and could send an emergency signal for help.

Seems like something would have to happen to both in order to fall silent. What are the possibilities?

 

[vls12345]

What’s the consensus here? With two hunters, if one was injured the other could get help. They had the Garmin Inreach, and could send an emergency signal for help.

Seems like something would have to happen to both in order to fall silent. What are the possibilities?

An article I posted above mentioned heavy rain & bad weather in the area. Could there have been a flash flood or other natural disaster (mudslide, rock slide, etc.) that could have been a factor in their disappearance & nobody hearing from them? Imo.

 

[Black Diamond]

An article I posted above mentioned heavy rain & bad weather in the area. Could there have been a flash flood or other natural disaster (mudslide, rock slide, etc.) that could have been a factor in their disappearance & nobody hearing from them? Imo.

Something like this is likely what happened. Possibly walked on a steep hillside unstable from the rains and they both had a fall. Or, tried to cross a flooded stream that was too swift to safely cross. Hopefully their Inreach quit working or they were separated from it, and they are hanging on somewhere and will be found. If the Inreach is working and with them, they would have called for help by now if they are ok.

 

[Knox]

An article I posted above mentioned heavy rain & bad weather in the area. Could there have been a flash flood or other natural disaster (mudslide, rock slide, etc.) that could have been a factor in their disappearance & nobody hearing from them? Imo.

Do we know about what time those storms rolled in and what time it gets dark in the area they were hunting in?

 

[otto]

Some new information is being reported. Ian and Andrew were spotted on Friday 9/12. They were expected to return home on Wed. 9/17/25. This article has a lot of information - I only clipped out the most important.

Other Hunters Report Latest Sighting of 2 Missing Elk Hunters, as Massive Search Effort Continues in Colorado

Outdoor Life Colorado Missing Elk Hunters as of 9/17/25

[O]ther hunters spotted the two men at 10 a.m. Friday at the Spruce Hole Trailhead. The missing hunters reportedly told the other hunters they’d seen a big bull and were heading back out to hunt.

• Vehicle was reportedly moved around 11 a.m. Friday back to Rio De Los Pinos Trailhead and later found locked by SAR.
• They were carrying phones, a Garmin InReach, bows, knives, game bags, light hunting gear, and clothing (no firearms).

Does the timeline make sense? At 10 AM they were hunting a bull in one location, at 11 AM their vehicle was at a different trailhead? Is 11 AM when the vehicle left the first location, or when it arrived at the second location?

 

[otto]

Isn't it roughly a one hour drive between the two locations?

If they moved the vehicle at 11 AM, that means they gave up on the bull after tracking the animal for 30 minutes (then 30 minutes back to the vehicle). If the vehicle arrived at 11 AM, it means that they did not move it - unless they spoke to the other hunters and then immediately left the area.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Rooting for them to be located safe. It sounds like they were well-prepared, and they were smart to have a buddy for safety. I know misadventure is possible anyway, especially with heavy rainfall, but hoping for the best for them and their families.

 

[Black Diamond]

Isn't it roughly a one hour drive between the two locations?

If they moved the vehicle at 11 AM, that means they gave up on the bull after tracking the animal for 30 minutes (then 30 minutes back to the vehicle). If the vehicle arrived at 11 AM, it means that they did not move it - unless they spoke to the other hunters and then immediately left the area.

I think either the article has a mistake or missed something. It’s possible they were seen at the one trailhead at 10:00 am and were not heading back out to hunt from that trailhead, but rather jumping in their vehicle to go the the other trailhead to chase a bull they saw there prior. Article doesn’t say how SAR knows the vehicle was moved at 11:00 am Friday, maybe it’s not fact.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Missing elk hunters in Conejos County found dead, family says​

Very sad news. No specific details at this time

News 7 Denver-- Missing Elk Hunters Found Dead

CONEJOS COUNTY, Colo. — Two men who went missing while elk hunting in southern Colorado last week have been found deceased, family members announced.

On Tuesday, the Conejos County Sheriff's Office said Andrew Porter, 25, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Ian Stasko, 25, of Salt Lake City, Utah, had disappeared during an elk hunting trip

 

[vls12345]

Oh no. Sending condolences their loved ones.

 

[vls12345]

Missing elk hunters found dead by Colorado search and rescue teams, according to family

Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko went missing in Rio Grande National Forest a week ago. Porter’s aunt posted on a GoFundMe page that both were found deceased.

coloradosun.com