Former Montana Elk Hunter Dies During Colorado Bowhunt
Bowhunting influencer/Wilderness Athlete, Cameron Hanes, posted a tribute on Instagram after Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, died in a sudden mountain storm while bowhunting elk in southern Colorado.
Hanes wrote:
A couple of young men were lost to the bowhunting brotherhood a few days back … Andrew and Ian were not merely hunters, they were lifelong outdoorsmen … snared by an unexpected mountain storm.
According to Cameron Hanes, Andrew fell in love with elk hunting while living in Montana. For many of us here, it’s how we grew up. We’ve logged the hours behind the binoculars, put boots on the ground, and chased bugles at dawn. Elk season, and specifically archery season, is currently underway in Montana.
The weather here can turn in an instant. Warm sun in the morning, snow squalls by noon, lightning out of nowhere. The Colorado mountains aren’t much different. If you’re out scouting, calling, or hunting right now, be ready for it all: rain gear, extra layers, solid boots, and a clear exit plan if things shift.
Safety isn’t just about what you carry. It’s knowing your limits, letting someone know where you’ll be, checking the weather before and during your hunt, and don't forget DRY SOCKS. Something I cannot stress enough to my son, who is new to archery elk hunting.
Andrew and Ian’s loss is a painful reminder of why we pack extra gear, check the sky constantly, and avoid pushing into dangerous terrain alone. As you take your bow on many walks this season, always be prepared for what Mother Nature and the mountain can do.
States with the most registered hunters
Gallery Credit: Meagan Drillinger
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