Touchy problems here. The guy who "stole the elk" is legal, in the eyes of the state. He is by no means ethical though and needs a good butt kicking. Your friend who "found" the rifle in his truck could be accused of stealing it if he does not make an attempt to find the owner. My question is why in the heck did your friend help the guy out? I am assuming that is how the rifle ended up in the truck. I would have left him to pack the sucker out and went looking for a few tires that needed some air let out. Over inflated tires sure are not good on rocky roads.