packing out an elk

[rides bike to work]

my dad and I have been looking for that six point bull of our dreams for three seasons now (whole life for my dad) and for the first time am goimg to back pack into the back country to fulfill our dream.Well after all of these years ive watched my dad in top shape hunting for elk and now that ive joined him there might only be some years left.With him a top shape 62 and me a half ass in shape 33 year old my dad worries about packing out a bull elk with just me and him 4-6 hours hike out. we will pack a game cart in as far as possible and am prepare to take a couple days packing it out so I would like to hear some packing stories in detail. how far , over how many mountains , carts, packs . lessons learned . hopefully this is our year and we can use some of these experiences why wont my computer let me use my enter key to create a paragraph .

[Rattler]

Hiking poles are a must along with a good backpack with a solid hip belt. My partner and I have packed elk quarters for over 8 hours and made several trips. Recommend boning out if you are much farther than 2km from a road. Also recommend gutless technique if you are in bear country. Other than the two bulls we killed right beside a road all our bulls have been backpacked and some grim ones at that, through blowdown. Also highly recommend getting the hide off ASAP, if you shoot one at night at the temperatures are warm.

[rides bike to work]

lets hear a storey how far did you pack how long did it take, how steep , how much meat, more than a day? through the night ?

[Mikey Rafiki]

I've packed out a bull or two every year for the last 5 years and most are less than 6 hours pack out loaded, including a few big bulls. With 2 guys I don't like to risk the overnight in the bush or meat spoil and I've never had to go more than a km or 2 from the road to see some huge bulls. Often steep steep terrain where you risk yourself or the elk rolling down the mountain side.

[sobirch]

Hunt up hill, pack down hill

[ElectricDyck]

My bro in law and I packed out an elk everyday for 3 days out of tetsa river, 25km round trip, kept it cold above a side channel of the river. A ton of work which will be remembered for years to come...good times, good thing we didn't see a moose :) An august elk, tasted great!

Hike was flat and easy, but long, a few moments of fear from fresh grizz sign, some back pain and general exhaustion. Best advice is find a pack that when it has 100lbs in it, it doesn't twist your back and cause instant pain....and remember pain is just weakness leaving the body :)
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd75/ElectricDyck/IMG_0688.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd75/ElectricDyck/IMG_0682.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd75/ElectricDyck/IMG_0720-1.jpg

[j270wsm]

You guys are nuts, I refuse to pack an elk more than 500yds

[Trapper]

The back pack is the most important tool of backpacking, having one that is ridged as possible, also keeping the weight high up on the pack as you can. I use to set goals for myself such as when I get to that tree i'll have a rest and then getting to spot I would pick out another spot then carry on to it.so on and so on. good luck

[rides bike to work]

How much be boned meat is on a bull elk weight wise

[Deeboe]

We've packed a number of bulls out in recent years.. Luckily for us most were high up the mountain so we only had to pack across a few slides and back down the mountain in most cases. With 4-5 guys helping it is a piece of cake with no de-boning required. This is always an advantage to keeping your meat quartered and clean. Twice in one trip we fluked out and had two bulls two days apart, whole in the back of the truck. The old farts almost crapped their pants when we rolled back to camp. Like I say though that is luck at its finest and doesn't happen that often.
When packing out elk, take your time, de-bone if its a long hike, be aware of your surroundings at all times when in grizzly country, carry hiking poles to conserve energy in your legs. Also as others have mentioned, use a frame pack that is comfortable and distributes the extra weight evenly and comfortably on your shoulders back and hips.
If you are bugling and get him calling in return, keep it up. If he is in the timber and won't come out, move closer and keep your scent covered. Most bulls seem to have their "area" that they like to protect. If he won't come out to you and show himself for a count, then slowly work your way closer. I have found that if you can get within about 100 yards, their fighting/defending instinct takes over and they come out for the challenge. Be ready. A few years ago, I had a small 6x6 come out of the timber at a stiff trot to within less than 10 yards bugling right at me with his pants down. I passed on him as the 6th point on each side was barely legal in length if at all. 25 minutes later I moved into the "100 yard area" of the bull in my avatar and he came out to give me a count. I didn't hesitate on him. Both bulls were not challenging me until I encroached their "100 yard area". If you are lucky enough to have some wide open country and spot them from a distance then bonus but keep this in mind for close encounters....
Good luck and don't turn down that big 6-point because you think you are too far in----it will be well worth it in the end!

[Ry151]

When you get the meat to the truck what do you do with it when you go back for your second load? Just find a shady place to hang the meat or a creek to hang it over?

[srupp]

lol do NOT listen to DEADDOG... he thrives on pain, flourishes where others flounder... he is a BEAST lol..however he is very very knowlegable on what it takes he has walked the walk... for decades...all wonderfully successful...me?? I would take salt and pepper and eat it there...lol..

good luck

steven

[BlacktailStalker]

My theory ? Who cares ! Its a great problem to have, packing out an elk ! :)

This island elk fell in a fun little hole.
Navigating a couple km of some massive wet-coast fallen timber and ground veg, made for a very nasty but memorable pack out.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08034.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08034.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08039.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08039.jpg.html)

Sometimes its just best to double up a load to save a trip !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08041.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08041.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08044.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08044.jpg.html)

[Salmon Belly]

Me and Onpoint packed a large 7x6 bull out of 7-50 last year, took two days to get all the meat back to the river. If you're hunting off the beaten path you really should have a solid hanging plan in place, in case you can't get it all back in one day. And like other guys said, a quality pack is essential.

All I remember is the crushing weight, burning agony, endless bush, and that's after the real memories faded. And I can't wait to do it again this year.

SB

[Rattler]

My first bull was an ugly pack. We boned him out because he was a longs ways back, through alders, blowdown, steep 60% ground and it was very warm. In all it took us around 12 hours to pack him out. We piggy back our meat back to the truck/atv when it is >500m. This way we get the meat away from the kill site faster and mentally it seems to feel better to drop the meat and not have such a far hike back.

We both have Mystery Ranch packs and they handle elk quarters well. When the pack is fitted well and correctly you can carry over 120lbs. Going slow with many breaks is key and I wouldn't do it without hiking poles.

Good luck!

[greenhorn]

My theory ? Who cares ! Its a great problem to have, packing out an elk ! :)

This island elk fell in a fun little hole.
Navigating a couple km of some massive wet-coast fallen timber and ground veg, made for a very nasty but memorable pack out.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08034.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08034.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08039.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08039.jpg.html)

Sometimes its just best to double up a load to save a trip !

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08041.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08041.jpg.html)

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/BlacktailStalker/WadesElkDraw08044.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/BlacktailStalker/media/WadesElkDraw08044.jpg.html)

Love those pictures... reminds me what the island forests are like..... nothing like them!!

[charr]

What kind of pack do you use?
What do you wrap the meat in while hiking it out?

[beeugle]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/thumbs/my_favourite_pack_mule.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=30150&title=my-favourite-pack-mule&cat=500)first you get big... big guy.. goes by hotload... then you tie half an Elk to his back..promise him some cold beer...... and you get a couple other guys to pack the other half out.. and away you go!!!! works real well!!!!!!!

[338 whisper]

Get good meat bags not the deer size ones but the moose size one . Last year I had the elk size one's and they were to small some meat was showing and the flies were on it and if you know how to hip one out you can save a lot of weight.

[bforce750]

So are u after a big bull or just any legal bull?

[.300WSMImpact!]

So are u after a big bull or just any legal bull?

I know for me a legal bull would be nice specially since I have never seen one little own killed one

[rides bike to work]

Any legal bull is all im looking for just want to get one with the old man before he gets to old. Any recommendations on a decent well priced pack.

[jml11]

I concur with deaddog. On our trips we try to hunt in groups of 3 as we can get the elk out in one trip. Packed quite a few now having been on 4 northern trips. Had to do two mature bulls in one day as we got greedy and shot both...3 guys got them both back to camp but it took all day. Just under 5kms each way with one steep hill off the edge of the mountain...With two you will probably need to do two trips so you should be able to get away with manageable packs on each trip, half the elk at a time. A front and a backstrap to the old timer and a rear for you. Shooter packs the rack :-D.

[BCRiverBoater]

We pack elk out of the mountains most years. Debone the quarters and use a good pack meant for carrying weight. 3 guys can do it but 4 works perfect so no one has too heavy of a pack. I use an Eberlestock pack and it has packed quite a few heavy loads and is quite comfortable. Hiking poles work great as well to help keep yuour balance and take some weight. You do not want to slip with that kind of weight on your back or you are asking for troubles and broken bones or strained knees/ankles.

[BlacktailStalker]

I like the Kifaru myself. Pillow cases or cheese cloth for the pack out to keep it clean.
I also have an everlestock but find it doesn't handle loads near as well as the Kifaru or a stiff MR would. It's great for packing out a boned out blacktail, bear or lion hyde though.

[hotload]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/thumbs/my_favourite_pack_mule.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=30150&title=my-favourite-pack-mule&cat=500)first you get big... big guy.. goes by hotload... then you tie half an Elk to his back..promise him some cold beer...... and you get a couple other guys to pack the other half out.. and away you go!!!! works real well!!!!!!! I wondered why I was the only one asked to bring a pack??? The beer and a great elk made up for lots.........................................

[leadpillproductions]

Me and a buddy packed a desent 6 pointer out deboned 1 trip 3km . Was heavy but didnt want to go back.

[Elkaddict]

If you want a budget pack that will get the job done look for a Camp Trails freighter frame with a moose bag. You should be able to find one for a little over a hundred bucks. They aren't the latest or greatest, and they are noisy, but they have packed lots of elk out of the bush. Double the money and get a Tatonka freighter. I've never used one, but hear good things about them. Beyond that you will pay 500 or more for a Mystery Ranch, Kifaru, Stone Glacier, etc. Much more comfortable packs, and very sturdy, but you will pay for it.

As someone above mentioned, make sure you stay hydrated packing out. I've been so dry coming out that my tongue was sticking to the roof of my mouth and I could hardly swallow. Not a good way to be. Also, if you down a bull a ways back, consider leapfrogging the loads out. Ideally done with four packs, but I guess you could do it with two. It would take a lot more time retying loads though. The bonus is you don't leave meat behind to fetch later, and you give yourself a nice break going back to get your next load. Good luck.

[ElectricDyck]

The number of trips you take will depend on how much gear you have with you as well. If you have a 40lb pack to start and shoot a 250lb elk you are going to need to take 2 trips for sure maybe 3 if you both bring rifles, optics, cameras, gps, first aid kit etc on the second and third trips...it all adds up. I'm a believer in less weight more trips, depending on distance and terrain, no point in injuring yourself. Try packing 100lbs down a trail for 10km, you start to get a lot of respect for the guys that say they haul 125lbs plus....if indeed their measurements are accurate.

[Sitkaspruce]

After asking the meat hauling question this summer, on the recommendation of quite a few other members, I picked up a Tetonka Freighter pack.

I have been packing 50lbs of salt around for the last month and it is heads and tails above my old Camptrails. Fit and adjustments are amazing, can't wait to try it out this fall.

Cheers

SS