Favorite way to pack out elk about 3 miles?

[Steve Hanson]

Hey Guys,

Going on hunting trip with me and my dad. Curious how you all prefer to pack out elk from about 2-3 mile range?

I'd prefer not to hunt with a frame pack, but I see a lot of folks do it.

Thanks for the input gents!

 

[Apparition]

"Favorite" now there's a loaded term, I dont know about favorite, but one of the "easiest" pack outs Ive ever done was almost all down hill, I carried the quarters till I was headed down hill, roped three of them together and took off jogging, made it down to the truck 1.5 miles away in less than an hour. The total distance I had to actually pack the quarters was less than a half mile. Thank god for snow!.

Other than that and a horse, the other ones have been on my back, I do know one thing, I will never ever pack out bone and hide!

 

[Hilltop]

Steve,

Depending on the area and terrain a game cart may work. I have taken elk halves out on one if there is a decent enough route. 3 miles though it would seem a frame pack would be easiest. Carrying big sections of dead weight any other way is difficult.

 

[npaden]

I guess this was probably my favorite pack out!

Stone Glacier pack with the load shelf really worked great.

 

[Fink]

I guess this was probably my favorite pack out!

Stone Glacier pack with the load shelf really worked great.

Good grief! I'd pack that joker all the way back home! What a bull!

 

[RUTTIN]

Nice bull, my favorite way too. Carry a pack you can throw quarters on and get headed back to the truck.


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[Againstthewind]

snow and downhill is super nice. I have used one of those plastic sleds kindof the same way as mentioned above. It worked pretty well.

 

[Winchester]

If I can get two packs to camp (camp near a trailhead, etc) I'll hunt with my daypack, knives, etc and leave the frame-pack in camp. When you get something, gut it and bring out a small load in your day pack, then return for more with the frame-pack.

 

[gon4elk]

Pack Horse

 

[Winchester]

Pack Horse

Yep, without a doubt that's the best!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Bring some friends. It's a haul for sure. Best way on your own is take more trips with less weight. I guess it would depend on the terrain your in if you don't want to use a frame pack. Maybe a game cart.

 

[NE69]

Pack frame. I used a game cart once for 3 miles. Down hill wasn't bad but up hill was a killer. It was on an old 4 wheeler road that was closed but I still remember that cart and how tough it was. Three of us for 1 elk quartered out. I also bone it out now.

 

[25contender]

Almost all of mine have come out on my back. To rough for anything with wheels where I hunt. I have brought a few out on Plastic Bob Sleds in the snow. They work very well but the bottoms do wear out after a few animals.

 

[Red Raider]

What's method you y'all prefer to bring the head out ie low or high antlers forward or back? I've tried several ways and I can't seems to get it where it carries right.

 

[npaden]

Most will say tines down, but my last one that I packed out tines up really packed well. When I was moving through the dark timber I had an orange vest on the antlers though!

When you think about it there is a lot more brush and obstacles from knee to thigh high where the tines would be if you were carrying it tines down than there are up over your head when you are carrying it tines up. At least where I hunt that seems to be the way it is. Occasionally I've been where you are constantly ducking to get under tree cover, and if that was the case you would probably want to carry it tines down.

If you have very far to go it sure works out nicer to go ahead and cape it out and carry the cape and antlers separately. It's much more manageable that way. If you have a saw with you, you can go ahead and skull cap it while you are at it and save a few pounds too.

 

[Againstthewind]

helicopter?

 

[Winchester]

Although you were probably kidding, as a retired helicopter pilot I can think of no better way!!
Unfortunately, some states prohibit the use of helicopters for hunting

 

[25contender]

Horns down here. They are nice to rest against the ground while on your back when you need a breather!!

 

[Againstthewind]

Although you were probably kidding, as a retired helicopter pilot I can think of no better way!!
Unfortunately, some states prohibit the use of helicopters for hunting

lol, only half kidding. I think it was on here that I saw a clip of them carrying out animals in New Zealand that way. It worked slick as snot. I might have to second mortgage my house to do it, so I haven't looked at how legal it is here.

 

[Winchester]

lol, only half kidding. I think it was on here that I saw a clip of them carrying out animals in New Zealand that way. It worked slick as snot. I might have to second mortgage my house to do it, so I haven't looked at how legal it is here.

I know it was illegal to use a helicopter for hunting when I was in Alaska ... super cubs etc, were ok but not helicopters. Not sure about down here in the "lower 48." In any case, as you say it would be VERY expensive.