A hunter who died Saturday apparently after falling from a mule in Pitkin County has been identified as a Tennessee man by the sheriff’s department.
Randy Arthur Neal, 31, of Crossville, Tenn., was hunting with his brother, Ron Neal, in the rugged Hawk Ridge area near Redstone.
The brothers had gotten separated that morning as they hunted big game. Ron Neal told authorities he found his brother dead about 12:20 p.m. and rode the mule to find help, according to a statement from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s deputies and members of Mountain Rescue Aspen found and recovered the body about 4 p.m.
A Flight for Life Helicopter based in Frisco took 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 on Sunday morning, but no details about a search or of the missing hunter’s identity were available. A spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office 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.
