Packing out an Elk in Wilderness

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DirtyMo

New Member
Aug 1, 2016
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Richmond VA
Hello Everyone,

I am likely to hunt CO zone 16 this year, first time to CO and first time elk hunting. I have talked with some guys that have been several times...they have killed themselves before packing out a kill. Now they say they may get someone to pack it out for them if it is too deep in.

I am going with two others and we all have frame packs. Not sure if we will end up hunting together of split up. Anyway, any thoughts or advice on this?
 
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MtnBuck

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Apr 4, 2016
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Aurora, Colorado
I have some experience packing out Elk on a frame pack. Like a dozen or so.

If it's not far or difficult terrain I don't de-bone. Any farther than about 3 miles I would definitely de-bone for the weight savings.

Usually it takes me four trips to the truck. Usually I only take one quarter (bone-in) and a back loin or something per trip, with two fronts being my absolute max. Two big younger guys can handle one front and one rear quarter at a time (especially if de-boned) and get done a little faster. Bone-in that's a good load even if it's just a Cow.

If it's bone-in then you can put a quarter into a game bag and easily lash it directly to your frame with twine. I like twine because it's cheap, easy to tie, and when I get to the truck I can cut it off in two seconds.

When the weather is cold enough you can de-bone, put the meat in double plastic bags, and drop them right into your backpack. If the temperature is questionable at all it should go in game bags lashed to the frame.
 
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Slugz

Slugz

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Oct 12, 2014
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Casper, Wyoming
MtnBuck said:
I have some experience packing out Elk on a frame pack. Like a dozen or so.

If it's not far or difficult terrain I don't de-bone. Any farther than about 3 miles I would definitely de-bone for the weight savings.

Usually it takes me four trips to the truck. Usually I only take one quarter (bone-in) and a back loin or something per trip, with two fronts being my absolute max. Two big younger guys can handle one front and one rear quarter at a time (especially if de-boned) and get done a little faster. Bone-in that's a good load even if it's just a Cow.

If it's bone-in then you can put a quarter into a game bag and easily lash it directly to your frame with twine. I like twine because it's cheap, easy to tie, and when I get to the truck I can cut it off in two seconds.

When the weather is cold enough you can de-bone, put the meat in double plastic bags, and drop them right into your backpack. If the temperature is questionable at all it should go in game bags lashed to the frame.
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Sound advice form Mtn Buck....I'd add do an honest assessment of the physical shape you are in and will be when you head to camp. Getting an elk out is easily done when a good plan is in place. Trekking poles make it a lot easier when heavy and loaded IMO
 
JimP

JimP

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Mar 28, 2016
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Gypsum, Co
The best training that I know of to see if you are capable of packing out a elk is to put 100lbs into or onto your pack and then on level ground see how far you can pack it before you say enough.

I have packed out a lot of elk. The furthest was about 4 miles and by the time that me and my nephew were done that day we were done, I don't think that I could of made one more trip. Even when they are boned out they are a chore to get back to the truck when you are a ways back in. And this doesn't count the ups and downs, walking over dead fall or through washes.

Once you have one down make a plan on how you are going to come out. Even a short distance up hill to a good trail is better than a short bad trail.
 
Gr8bawana

Gr8bawana

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Aug 14, 2014
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The furthest we have ever packed out an elk is about 3 miles. It wasn't terribly rough but a lot of up and down. Being that the distance was not too far we have not de-boned any of them but a pack of some kind is a must.
One thing to consider is that you being from VA the change in elevation is going to be very hard on you, then add 80-100lbs...oh man.
Like Slugz said be honest about what kind of shape you are in. If the weather is cold you can take 2 or 3 days to pack it out with no problem once it's quartered and in game bags. If the weather is warm anything longer that a day puts the meat in jeopardy.
Good luck on your hunt.
 
graybird

graybird

Active Member
Feb 22, 2011
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Colorado
Last year, I helped a buddy get on a nice 330 class bull. Here is a picture of me coming out with a de-boned hind quarter, front shoulder and some cut meat. You'll notice I'm using my trekking poles to lean on while catching my breath. The three of us packed the entire bull out in one trip, less the tenderloins, which we took out the night we killed the bull. Myself and a buddy carried all the meat and the guy who killed the bull carried the head and cape. When we made it back to the truck, my phone said it was 9.79 miles round trip from the truck to the bull and back. That's about as far as I want to pack a heavy load. I'm not in the greatest shape but I do live at 7,200 feet elevation, to give you an idea of what I'm willing to do in the future.

Me sucking wind!


My buddy who killed the bull was only packing out the head. He's from Missouri, I think the picture speaks volumes. We weren't even half way to the truck yet, but we were through the worst dog hair quakies and blow downs in our path.
 
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MtnBuck

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Apr 4, 2016
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Aurora, Colorado
One more thought. If you have a choice on where you park the truck it's much easier to pack out three or four miles down hill than two miles up hill.
 
JimP

JimP

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Mar 28, 2016
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MtnBuck said:
One more thought. If you have a choice on where you park the truck it's much easier to pack out three or four miles down hill than two miles up hill.
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I don't know about that. The older I get and the worse that my knees get I would rather go uphill than down. It is a lot easier on the old joints, but for a young kid that can still bounce around downhill might be better.
Now if I am dragging something out I would rather still go downhill than up.
 
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Tim McCoy

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Dec 15, 2014
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JimP said:
I don't know about that. The older I get and the worse that my knees get I would rather go uphill than down. It is a lot easier on the old joints, but for a young kid that can still bounce around downhill might be better.
Now if I am dragging something out I would rather still go downhill than up.
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I hear you on that one.
 
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DirtyMo

New Member
Aug 1, 2016
13
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Richmond VA
I appreciate everyones input...right now our eyes are so big with anticipation we can hardly stand it. We are getting in two days before season to hopefully help acclimate. The big thing until then is working on our legs and cardio. Cant thank you all enough!!
 
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MtnBuck

Member
Apr 4, 2016
135
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Aurora, Colorado
JimP said:
I don't know about that. The older I get and the worse that my knees get I would rather go uphill than down. It is a lot easier on the old joints, but for a young kid that can still bounce around downhill might be better.
Now if I am dragging something out I would rather still go downhill than up.
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I'm not all that young, but fortunately my knees are in good shape so I can haul butt going downhill. Uphill with 60+ lbs is another story, lots of stops to uptake oxygen makes it slow going.

DirtyMo said:
I appreciate everyones input...right now our eyes are so big with anticipation we can hardly stand it. We are getting in two days before season to hopefully help acclimate. The big thing until then is working on our legs and cardio. Cant thank you all enough!!
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Good plan. Best of luck on your hunt!
 
CODAK

CODAK

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Aug 8, 2016
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Johnstown, CO
It all depends on where you are planning to hunt... This country gets steep and rugged quick! There is countless deadfall that make a pack out less than ideal. Our average pack out in the Zirkels is ~5-7 miles and we are young. We are in pristine shape and work out year around, and it is still very exhausting.... Trekking poles are a savior. Especially being that far in and having 80-100 lbs, a slip on a rock or log will bust your ankle really quick! Get your core as strong as possible so you don't throw out your back! We always bone out and take head/backstraps back to spike camp and stay the night, then pack out camp the next morning, then head back in for the rest that we hung and bagged. Works like a charm and we are fully packed out in a day!
 
ivorytip

ivorytip

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Mar 24, 2012
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CODAK said:
It all depends on where you are planning to hunt... This country gets steep and rugged quick! There is countless deadfall that make a pack out less than ideal. Our average pack out in the Zirkels is ~5-7 miles and we are young. We are in pristine shape and work out year around, and it is still very exhausting.... Trekking poles are a savior. Especially being that far in and having 80-100 lbs, a slip on a rock or log will bust your ankle really quick! Get your core as strong as possible so you don't throw out your back! We always bone out and take head/backstraps back to spike camp and stay the night, then pack out camp the next morning, then head back in for the rest that we hung and bagged. Works like a charm and we are fully packed out in a day!
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good advice, having a strong solid core will help you all the way around
 
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