Tragic Update: Missing Elk Hunters Found Dead in Colorado Wilderness 🙏

The weekend might not be here just yet, but your favorite dispatch from the great outdoors is. 

So grab your coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and let's get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past 24-or-so hours. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

WE WERE ALL PULLING FOR THESE BOYS
TRAGIC END TO SEARCH: MISSING ELK HUNTERS FOUND DEAD IN SOUTHERN COLORADO WILDERNESS

What began as a beacon of hope in the unforgiving San Juan Wilderness has ended in profound heartbreak. The multi-agency search for Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, the two experienced 25-year-old hunters who vanished last week during an elk hunting expedition, concluded yesterday with the devastating discovery of their bodies. Colorado Search and Rescue teams located their remains approximately two miles from the Rio de Los Pinos Trailhead where their vehicle had been left untouched.

The announcement came Thursday afternoon via a tearful update on the GoFundMe page organized by Porter's aunt, Lynne Runkle, to fund the escalating search efforts…

🔎 Montana officials looking for tips. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on two spike elk shot and left to waste on private land near Likes Ranch Block Management Area south of Hamilton.

The two elk were found on Monday, Sept. 8 and are believed to have been shot on the evening of Friday, Sept. 5 around 7:30 p.m. Both were unlawfully killed, and all meat was left to waste.

FWP game wardens say that wildlife crimes like this one are often solved because of leads from the public and encourage anyone with information to make a report. Anyone with possible tips on this incident is encouraged to contact Bitterroot area game warden Taylor Gagnon at 406-552-9335.

🚔 Three Cited for Illegal Deer Hunting in Central Louisiana, Facing Fines and Restitution. In St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, three individuals were cited by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for illegal deer hunting activities. On July 30, 2025, Justin Boudreaux, 27, allegedly killed a pregnant doe using a .22 rimfire rifle near his residence in Palmetto, during a closed hunting season and with prohibited methods. Joel Ellis Jr., 63, and Odie J. Bryant, 39, both also from Palmetto, were implicated for assisting Boudreaux by helping drag and clean the deer. Boudreaux faces charges for hunting deer out of season and using illegal methods, while Ellis Jr. and Bryant were cited for possession of the illegally taken deer.

The LDWF investigation began after a tip came in on July 31st, leading to citations issued on August 5th for Boudreaux and Ellis Jr., and later on September 7th for Bryant, who was also arrested on two unrelated active warrants from Lafayette Parish and booked into the St. Landry Parish Correctional Facility for extradition. Penalties for the violations include fines ranging from $250 to $950 and potential jail time of up to 90 to 120 days, depending on the charge. Additionally, the trio may face a collective civil restitution of $1,624 for the replacement value of the deer.

🤦 Conservation Group Sues to Halt Florida’s Bear Hunt Over Outdated Data. A Florida conservation group, Bear Warriors United, has filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court to block the state’s first black bear hunt in a decade. The 15-page suit, filed on September 17th, argues that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relied on “obsolete” 2015 bear population data when approving a 23-day hunt allowing up to 187 bears to be killed across four regions of the state. The group claims this decision violates the state’s 2019 bear management plan, lacks current population data, and risks “imminent and irreparable harm” to Florida’s black bear population due to flawed scientific methodology.

The FWC, which began accepting $5 permit applications last week (with selected hunters paying $100 for residents or $300 for non-residents), defends the hunt as a science-based approach to manage human-bear coexistence, as stated by Commissioner Gary Lester and Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen. Bear Warriors United also alleges the FWC limited public input before the August 13th approval and notes that a statistically valid population assessment isn’t expected until 2030. Instead of hunting, the group advocates for non-lethal measures like bear-proof garbage cans to reduce conflicts. The FWC declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, which follows a withdrawn challenge at the Division of Administrative Hearings due to jurisdictional issues.

Hunters and Anglers Cheer House Introduction of MAP Roads Act: The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership joins hunters, anglers, and all who drive rural, county roads in cheering House introduction of the Modernizing Access to Public Roads Act. The bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Representative Blake Moore (R-Utah) and cosponsored by Representative Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Representative Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), and Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.).  Read the full story.

DNR explains Indiana’s deer reduction zones as annual hunting season begins: While many of Indiana’s deer hunting rules and regulations are designed to keep the state’s population from being thinned out, the first part of the annual deer hunting season aims to target areas where numbers are high and need to be managed.  Read the full story.

Idaho F&G seeks information about mule deer buck illegally shot in Unit 31: The deer was shot illegally with a rifle near Forest Service Road 008/Mill Creek Road. The only seasons open for deer in Unit 31 at that time were archery-only hunts, and any-weapon seasons don't open there until Oct. 10.  Read the full story.

Maine wildlife officials rescue moose trapped in Pembroke well:  A team of state wildlife officials freed a bull moose that was trapped in an abandoned well in Pembroke. The Maine Warden Service was notified about the situation before 4 p.m. on Wednesday.  Read the full story.

29-year-old man attacked by bear in Yellowstone National Park: A 29-year-old man is recovering after suffering significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm following a bear attack in Yellowstone National Park, authorities said. Read the full story.

2 injured in moose encounter south of Red Lodge: The couple and their dogs encountered a cow, calf and bull moose. The cow moose chased the dogs, believing them to be a threat, and the two people were both injured, according to Red Lodge Fire. Read the full story.

🐕 When your dog can’t help but bring his neighborhood buddies home. Watch as these dogs lead their newfound friend through their convenient little doggie door and right into their home.

Awfully calm little fella…

The pull of the weekend.

Rest easy, cowboy.

Oh, and one more thing…