A hunter from Tennessee was identified as the man killed Saturday after apparently falling from a mule in Pitkin County, the Sheriff’s department said today.
The hunter was identified at Randy Arthur Neal, 31, of Crossville, Tenn. He was hunting with his brother, Ron Neal, in the rugged Hawk Ridge area near Redstone.
The brothers had gotten separated that morning as the hunted big game. Ron Neal told authorities he found his brother dead at about 12:20 p.m., and rode the mule to find help, according to a statement from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff’s deputies and members Mountain Rescue Aspen found and recovered the body about 4 p.m.
A Flight for Life Helicopter based in Frisco airlifted the body to Aspen Valley Hospital at the request of the Pitkin County coroner’s office, according the the sheriff’s office.
Another hunter was reported missing in neighboring Gunnison County Sunday morning, but no details of search or the missing hunter’s identity were available. A spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department did not return phone calls and a dispatcher would not provide information.
Colorado has interrupted hunting seasons. The second season for deer and elk hunting began Saturday and lasts until Oct. 25. The third deer-and-elk season is Oct. 31 to Nov. 6. and the fourth season is Nov. 11 to Nov. 15.
