Advice for UK hunter

[s8mdevo]

I am a UK based hunter and am planning to come to the states on a public land elk hunt in the next few years. I know very little about the rules and regulations over there and wondered if you could lend some pointers.

I have just about got my head around the points system and have applied for them. I would like to know more about the packing out of the animal and what happens after the animal is grounded. Obviously I will be a long way from home, but I wondered what the best or most advisable options are for this.

We do not have to do this in the UK so will be all new to me. All help appreciated.

Thanks fellas

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

All the states here have different laws. Everyone that I know of requires you to recover your meat from the field. I am sure getting the meat back to the UK might be really a problem which you may not want to tackle. There are lots of food banks and other organizations that take donated meat. After you have finalized your hunt, if you use an outfitter, they may have suggestions also.

IMHO the biggest challenge for you will be choosing which state you want to hunt, guided or unguided and then come the logistics and the details.

Good Luck..........

 

[mcseal2]

Check out You tube for video on how to quarter animals. Once an animal is down I usually quarter it and pack the meat out with a Eberlestock J34 or frame pack. Some areas you can find people with horses who will pack meat out for a fee, or if using a guide service they provide that. Once you have a tag drawn and area finalized it will be time to start figuring that out.

 

[Tim McCoy]

If I am guessing correctly, in the hunting you do there is a guide/game manager there to take care of the grounded animal? Meaning you are not familiar with the gutting/skinning/meat transport/processing routine? Or are you OK with the in the field gutting/quartering, but are just seeking ideas about packing out/processing/etc?

I hunt smaller game, deer/antelope, alone often, but rarely chase elk alone. Meat care logistics with larger game can be daunting, doubly so in warmer weather hunts. With elk, I have help lined up for game recovery and a plan to insure all the meat is cared for. If you lose the meat due to spoilage, legal issues can present themselves. Regardless of your level of meat care experience, there are ways to get it done. Just keep asking questions, there are plenty of folks here willing to offer ideas to help you.

 

[s8mdevo]

If I am guessing correctly, in the hunting you do there is a guide/game manager there to take care of the grounded animal? Meaning you are not familiar with the gutting/skinning/meat transport/processing routine? Or are you OK with the in the field gutting/quartering, but are just seeking ideas about packing out/processing/etc?

I hunt smaller game, deer/antelope, alone often, but rarely chase elk alone. Meat care logistics with larger game can be daunting, doubly so in warmer weather hunts. With elk, I have help lined up for game recovery and a plan to insure all the meat is cared for. If you lose the meat due to spoilage, legal issues can present themselves. Regardless of your level of meat care experience, there are ways to get it done. Just keep asking questions, there are plenty of folks here willing to offer ideas to help you.

I have the field skills to gut, quarter the animal correct. I am just after some knowledge on the packing out and saving the meat. What do you do if warm and you are long distance from anywhere? Are there places you can sort to take the meat before you head out? Will companies come and collect the meat? Do you need horses to get meat back to freezers etc? I am just trying to understand as much as possible before I go. I will be with a friend most probably but still don't really know what's involved after deer/elk down. It sounds like by law you have to get the meat out. If so does it have to go to specific places? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Tim McCoy]

No worries, appreciate the added clarification. There was a thread applicable to this, I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[s8mdevo]

Thanks Tim, so difficult when you are not from the states. And even then I think all your states have different rules and regs.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Some good info in the threads below. Has your friend hunted elk? Much will come down to time of year and the altitude at which you hunt. Generally, if you can get it quartered and hung where cool, you have some time to get it out. In most places I've elk hunted, there is a processor within a few hours drive, so the challenge is starting the cooling process fast while in the field. Hang it, submerge in a creek, bone and pack out to coolers...

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/12112-Meat-leason-learned

http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/10339-Are-we-being-realistic?highlight=hike

 

[Tim McCoy]

Thanks Tim, so difficult when you are not from the states. And even then I think all your states have different rules and regs.

It is like the EU, you can travel between them, but each state is like a nation state relative to hunting, all have differing rules. All western states I am aware of have rules & laws requiring edible meat care, in some cases meat care is required before head/horn/cape is removed from the kill site. Just keep looking and asking. There are quite a large number of very experienced members willing to offer you info.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Almost all of the western states will have meat processors in most of the towns. Once you decide on a state to hunt, you can then start looking for one. Tim has given you lots of good information. Lots of the state game & fish departments have a lot of information too. Again, once you narrow down your choice, then you can really start getting the details.

For someone in your situation, I would recommend hunting with an outfitter. They usually are very familiar with the different areas they hunt, have all the equipment you need (except personal gear) and usually are worth what you are getting. I surely wouldn't go to Africa, New Zealand or any foreign country without one. Just my opinion.

 

[Tim McCoy]

CC, your post fired a synapse between my ears, forgot about this thread. http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/13270-List-your-favorite-game-processors-here?highlight=Meat+processors S8, this is just a partial list, but it gives you a great list of processors to start with.

 

[480/277]

Almost all of the western states will have meat processors in most of the towns. Once you decide on a state to hunt, you can then start looking for one. Tim has given you lots of good information. Lots of the state game & fish departments have a lot of information too. Again, once you narrow down your choice, then you can really start getting the details.

For someone in your situation, I would recommend hunting with an outfitter. They usually are very familiar with the different areas they hunt, have all the equipment you need (except personal gear) and usually are worth what you are getting. I surely wouldn't go to Africa, New Zealand or any foreign country without one. Just my opinion.

I am with CC on this on, just because of logistics go guided and enjoy the hunt.

 

[JimP]

I agree with hiring a outfitter. While you can come out west here in the US and start hunting elk the odd of you finding one and actually being able to shoot it are quite slim. With a outfitter you are paying them for their knowledge of the area along with being able to tell you just what a trophy elk looks like, but for some any elk is a trophy.

Also the outfitter will know of someone to process your elk once you get it. While you do have to bring the meat off of the hill you will be able to donate it and the processor will know of people in the area that are needing some meat for the winter. You will just have to pay the processing fee.

As for outfitters the sky is the limit on what you can find with them. I know of a couple that would put 4 star resorts to shame the way that they take care of their clients, but of course the price also reflects the what that they take care of you. Here in Colorado you can find good outfitters anywhere from $3500 and up with most of the good ones around $5000 for a great hunt. That price does not include the tag and the higher priced ones usually mean that they are in better areas for a trophy hunt which will take years of preference points to draw the tag, however they usually have access to landowner tags but that is going to drive the price of the hunt up.