Two experienced hunters died from a lightning strike in Colorado’s wilderness, exposing the deadly risks that outdoor enthusiasts face when severe weather strikes America’s remote hunting grounds.
Story Highlights
- Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, were killed by lightning while elk hunting in Rio Grande National Forest
- The hunters went missing September 11 and were found dead September 18 after extensive search efforts
- Community raised funds for search and rescue operations when official resources were stretched thin
- The incident highlights dangerous conditions facing hunters in Colorado’s backcountry during peak season
Fatal Lightning Strike Claims Two Young Hunters
Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25-year-old experienced outdoorsmen, died from a lightning strike while hunting elk in Colorado’s Rio Grande National Forest. The Conejos County coroner confirmed the cause of death on September 22, concluding a tragic week-long search that began when the hunters lost contact on September 11. Severe storms swept through the remote wilderness area on September 12, disabling their satellite communication device and claiming their lives in an instant.
Two 25-year-old elk hunters found dead with no obvious signs of trauma after week-long search for missing pair https://t.co/izIKXvTYje pic.twitter.com/dnBiCcp7YH
— New York Post (@nypost) September 22, 2025
Community Mobilizes When Official Resources Fall Short
When search and rescue efforts needed additional funding, families and community members stepped up where government resources proved insufficient. A GoFundMe campaign organized by the victims’ families raised money to support the extensive search operation in the rugged terrain near Los Pinos trailhead. This grassroots mobilization demonstrates how American communities unite when bureaucratic systems cannot adequately respond to emergencies, embodying the self-reliance values that define our nation’s character.
Watch: Hunters showed ‘no obvious signs of trauma’ when found dead in Colorado mountains
Wilderness Dangers Threaten Constitutional Rights
The tragic deaths underscore risks facing hunters exercising their Second Amendment rights in America’s public lands. Colorado’s high country presents unpredictable weather hazards during peak hunting season, when lightning strikes pose deadly threats to outdoorsmen. The incident occurred in remote mountainous terrain with limited cell coverage, where hunters depend on satellite devices that can fail during severe storms, leaving them vulnerable and isolated from emergency assistance.
Search Operation Reveals Resource Challenges
The week-long search involved multiple agencies including the Conejos County Sheriff’s Department and Colorado Search and Rescue teams, who faced significant challenges in the vast wilderness area. Porter’s fiancée Bridget Murphy provided crucial timeline information to authorities, confirming the hunters’ last known contact before the fatal storm system moved through. The successful recovery operation, while tragic in outcome, demonstrated the dedication of local law enforcement and volunteer search teams working to bring closure to grieving families.
Sources:
Help Find Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko – GoFundMe
Hunters found deceased in Colorado wilderness were struck by lightning, coroner says – Fox13Now
