Missing hunters in Colorado

[stayzeroed]

I heard that,im just saying I have heard stories in the past were people couldn’t get access to data because of privacy concerns.
They need options to bypass that,not say it would help in this case or not.

If LE are involved, they have almost certainly submitted exigent circumstance forms for any location data available from cell service providers, garmin, etc. That would likely surpass any privacy issues.

 

[Beendare]

Lightning is an unlikely cause in a snowstorm

 

[MallardSX2]

Lightning is an unlikely cause in a snowstorm

Both times I was caught in lightning in the high-country (Where I was legitimately concerned), it was snowing.

 

[TexasCub]

If we're talking about foul play we're basically talking about them getting shot at or near their vehicle. If two young, fit dudes with bows walked up on someone trying to rob their vehicle it's going to be a fist fight possibly turning into someone drawing a weapon. I don't think the type of dudes robbing vehicles at trail heads would be adept enough to cover up a double murder to the degree that the next people to arrive at the scene suspected absolutely nothing. The only time foul play has been brought up is by people speculating on the internet. No sources close to the search have even mentioned it.

I know people don’t want to think that foul play is a possibility but to me, at this point, it makes more sense than anything else. Two mid twenties men experienced in hunting with the tools they had don’t just go missing for a week with limited gear in September. One man maybe, November maybe, but not two healthy and fit men this time of year. And by the way brazen thieves don’t get into fist fights, one handgun vs two guys with bows ends that conflict immediately. Lots of rain washes away evidence and in that remote country a pickup truck bed would easily aid in covering up the crime when no one comes looking for two days. Hate to paint such a dark picture but the rational alternatives don’t make sense at this point. I pray for the families that they just walk out of the woods and are found but it doesn’t look good.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I hunt 81 and have for about 20 years. The western portion (SE of Wolf Creek Pass) has some really rough country. The monsoon season started late and we have been lots of thunder, lightning and rain.

Hoping for a good outcome of a serious situation.

 

[Poser]

Lightning is an unlikely cause in a snowstorm

With the storms we had last week, there was a lot of lightning and its not super uncommon to have lightning while snowing. I've been at CO ski resorts a couple of times when lifts have been shut down due to lightning during a winter storm.

 

[Mtank79]

Possibly. But that doesn’t really wash with the rest of the stuff being left behind.

I wasn’t suggesting foul play just saying a possibly of the bows not being found.

 

[intunegp]

I know people don’t want to think that foul play is a possibility but to me, at this point, it makes more sense than anything else. Two mid twenties men experienced in hunting with the tools they had don’t just go missing for a week with limited gear in September. One man maybe, November maybe, but not two healthy and fit men this time of year. And by the way brazen thieves don’t get into fist fights, one handgun vs two guys with bows ends that conflict immediately. Lots of rain washes away evidence and in that remote country a pickup truck bed would easily aid in covering up the crime when no one comes looking for two days. Hate to paint such a dark picture but the rational alternatives don’t make sense at this point. I pray for the families that they just walk out of the woods and are found but it doesn’t look good.

I gain or lose nothing by wanting to think one way or the other, I'm just analyzing the entire situation with the evidence that has been presented. I know there are crazy people and drug addicts and cartel members and everything under the sun out there.

My question would be why aren't the windows busted out of their vehicle or doors pried open if we're talking about escalation from brazen thieves? Why are all the reports that it seems like everything but their bows are in the vehicle? For thievery to escalate into an altercation then shooting wouldn't we assume the thieves were caught in the act, not just scouting the area to pick a target or hanging out nearby?

I don't think it is any less likely that they hiked out and got into a bad situation than that they were murdered and their bodies dumped by someone looking to burglarize some vehicles.

 

[dylanvb]

My wife sent me this story last night and I checked to see if this story was already shared here and I am glad it is. I also think maybe it could be a good way for us as a community to help each other out. Maybe the mods can create a call to action thread where people can help if in the local area? Post up the area someone is missing and see if we can get others out there to help out? Just an idea.

 

[AZ8]

Search party should give a detailed item list still found in the vehicle. It would give a better state of mind of the hunters: No bows, but packs, InReach….speaks for a quick chase and maybe weather got them. Base camp gear, but no spike camp gear…etc, they’re still hunting.

I’d like to see a detailed inventory of what’s actually still in the vehicle.

I don’t know…..just bad deal all around.

 

[MallardSX2]

I’d like to see a detailed inventory of what’s actually still in the vehicle.

I 100% agree. Tell us what WAS in the truck.

Were their bows there?
Where were their daypacks?
Pack frames missing?
Did they typically carry handguns?
Was there a cooler?
Were either of these guys known for taking any form of drugs or medications?
Were their hunting boots in the truck?
Was the truck locked?
Were the keys hidden in the “typical” hiding spot?
How much food was in the truck?
How much water?
Any blood on any knives?

 

[intunegp]

Search party should give a detailed item list still found in the vehicle. It would give a better state of mind of the hunters: No bows, but packs, InReach….speaks for a quick chase and maybe weather got them. Base camp gear, but no spike camp gear…etc, they’re still hunting.

I’d like to see a detailed inventory of what’s actually still in the vehicle.

I don’t know…..just bad deal all around.

There's not a ton of info out there period beyond their "camping gear and backpacks" being found in the vehicle. I mean even them being "experienced hunters in similar terrain in Montana"...what's that mean? They've gone to Montana the past couple years? I agree it would help paint the picture if more info was released.

I've been elk hunting since 2013 and deer hunting since I was a kid but what is required of me to get it done where I hunt would not translate at all to being lost after dark in a storm in some nasty deadfall with little to no gear.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Search party should give a detailed item list still found in the vehicle. It would give a better state of mind of the hunters: No bows, but packs, InReach….speaks for a quick chase and maybe weather got them. Base camp gear, but no spike camp gear…etc, they’re still hunting.

I’d like to see a detailed inventory of what’s actually still in the vehicle.

I don’t know…..just bad deal all around.

The “search party” should do no such thing. We can all be reasonably concerned for these men, but the only purpose of releasing that is to allow folks to speculate as to their fate. It’s not like any of us is in a position to say, “they left their X, that must mean they are at grid 1234567891.”

 

[mtnbound]

My wife sent me this story last night and I checked to see if this story was already shared here and I am glad it is. I also think maybe it could be a good way for us as a community to help each other out. Maybe the mods can create a call to action thread where people can help if in the local area? Post up the area someone is missing and see if we can get others out there to help out? Just an idea.

It's good to get the word out, but typically, most Sheriff's Offices that handle SAR Ops do not want a bunch of spontaneous volunteers until after several operational periods, if they want any at all. Most agencies will ask other local counties or put out a State-wide request for trained SAR personnel.
It is common for them to alert the public so other hunters, hikers, etc, in the area are aware of the situation, but it is uncommon to have an agency openly ask for assistance from the general public for liability reasons. More often, the request comes from the family posting for help on social media, which makes the situation more complicated because the Sheriff's Office now has to manage these unknown, untrained resources.
Definitely good to get the word out, but I would urge the Moderators not to make a Call-for-Action post unless it's from the responsible agency.

 

[CorbLand]

At this point I feel like the idea that they are just out hunting and have no idea what is going on is all but off the table. If I had told my wife that I would keep in contact with her via an Inreach, and I realized that I left it at the pickup, I am not just saying “welp, forgot it, let’s keep hunting” for 6 more days. I would be hiking my ass back to the pickup or finding some way to contact her.

 

[coyotecreek]

Those of you that have a Garmin or Zoleo how does the plan work? Can you activate it only during the time that you will be using it or is it a 12 month subscription? I've rented one before, but I've never owned one. Seems like something I should have, but I'm curious what it will cost me!

 

[dylanvb]

It's good to get the word out, but typically, most Sheriff's Offices that handle SAR Ops do not want a bunch of spontaneous volunteers until after several operational periods, if they want any at all. Most agencies will ask other local counties or put out a State-wide request for trained SAR personnel.
It is common for them to alert the public so other hunters, hikers, etc, in the area are aware of the situation, but it is uncommon to have an agency openly ask for assistance from the general public for liability reasons. More often, the request comes from the family posting for help on social media, which makes the situation more complicated because the Sheriff's Office now has to manage these unknown, untrained resources.
Definitely good to get the word out, but I would urge the Moderators not to make a Call-for-Action post unless it's from the responsible agency.

Maybe a heads up type thread then. Like hunters missing in this area, if someone is already there hunting or in the immediate area keep an eye/ear out. Not that this is local to me but If I was in the back country and in the same area as someone missing I would definitely want to know.

 

[intunegp]

Maybe a heads up type thread then. Like hunters missing in this area, if someone is already there hunting or in the immediate area keep an eye/ear out. Not that this is local to me but If I was in the back country and in the same area as someone missing I would definitely want to know.

...that would be this thread that we are currently participating in.

 

[505Wapiti]

Those of you that have a Garmin or Zoleo how does the plan work? Can you activate it only during the time that you will be using it or is it a 12 month subscription? I've rented one before, but I've never owned one. Seems like something I should have, but I'm curious what it will cost me!

Garmin in reach you can do monthly subscription if you choose . Activate it/deactivate it whenever you want to. No idea about Zoleo.

 

[CorbLand]

Those of you that have a Garmin or Zoleo how does the plan work? Can you activate it only during the time that you will be using it or is it a 12 month subscription? I've rented one before, but I've never owned one. Seems like something I should have, but I'm curious what it will cost me!

Depends on what you want but yes they have monthly and yearly subscription plans.

Basic yearly costs me around 13 bucks a month. I pay it and have since 2016. I hope to never see a return on those funds.

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