elk pack out

Kurtr · Aug 24, 2017

So since i will be leaving in 49 days (whos keeping track) for another elk hunt this year. When it comes to pack out for guys that have killed do you go heavy and each take a half plus camp and grind it out or go lighter and make multiple trips. Say it is about 5-8 miles through some pretty rough terrain. I am leaning towards multiple trips if conditions allow as if it goes right we are going to have a few to get out. Unless it is the last day and we need it to be done i have been carrying heavy weight so if i have to i know i can. I dont know if others use them but trekking poles are the cats ass.

2400 · Aug 24, 2017

I've killed a lot of elk over the years and a few were wayyyyyyyyyy back in the middle of nowhere.

I think the idea of trying to carry out 1/2 an elk along with some of your own stuff is not going to work. Even boned out 1/2 an elk is a big load and the farther you have to carry it the heavy it gets. You'll want to carry your rifle each way on each trip plus the pack and of course some water to stay hydrated too.

Here in AZ along with most other western states the meat comes out first them the head so plan for that too.

Where are you going and what kind of country will you be hunting in? I wish you the best in your hunt.

KDM · Aug 24, 2017

Heavy increases the chances of injury regardless of terrain type. Given the chance, I'd go lighter and more trips. IF however, grizzlies are a possibility, that might change the game a bit as the longer the carcass is there.......Well, you know the rest. For the elk I packed out, we went with the following and 4 guys. First trip: 1 boned ham in each pack (2 guys), both boned front shoulders in one pack (1 guy), the backstraps in one pack (1 guy). The following trip was the tenderloins, neck meat in one pack, the rib meat and other trimmings in one pack, the cape in one pack, and the head/horns in one pack. We only had to go a mile or so per trip though. 5-8 miles is something I don't even want to think about and if you get one would make me think you were just as UNLUCKY as you were LUCKY. Hope you find what you're looking for!!!!

GSM · Aug 24, 2017

What are you figuring your pack will weigh with 1/2 an elk + camp? How many guys will be hauling? I am guessing 2 from you saying halves. We packed one out from the badlands last year and there is no way we could have got him out in 1 trip each with 2 guys. Now that was a giant bodied bull and we were only about 1.5 miles from the road. We also did not de-bone the hind quarters and carried those out fireman style! I prefer to make as few as trips as possible though. A guy can take a lot of rests along the way and even unload some of the weight closer and make another trip if needed.

Kurtr · Aug 24, 2017

If we had to do it in one I would guess in the 125 ish range which sucks as I did it just to feel it this summer. 90 pounds is kinda the range it goes from hard to complete suck for me. I weighed the packs on a scale to make sure I was not exaggerating. This is with a Kifaru duplex frame and rekoning bag. The terrain though is the part I can not match out here. The only reason to go heavy would be if we kill late in the trip no grizzly out there.

dank · Aug 24, 2017

Even for a fairly fit guy 1/2 elk plus camp is likely beyond reasonable. I've packed 4 elk out in the last 6 years and the animal alone typically takes 4-5 substantial packs assuming boned out meet and a skinned out skull, if you end up packing a cape out that is likely another 30-ish# to contend with.

Boned Meat- 200-250#
Skull w/ horns- 35-40#
Cape- 25#?

So before camp you're likely looking at somewhere around 250-300# of weight to pack. Camp weight is likely 30-50# depending on your gear, weapon is 5#, etc. so conceivably you'd have over 300# of weight to pack out all finished. For me, pack weights of 70# on rough terrain is the upper limit of what I am comfortable carrying. The rougher/steeper it gets, the less I want to be carrying. I know some guys like to load packs up to 100#+, but for a majority of guys that isn't comfortable or safe.

Unless you have pack animals, I think it'd be wise to plan on multiple trips and factor that into your timing and hunt strategy.

Good luck.

Kurtr · Aug 24, 2017

Camp is roughly 2.5 miles from trail head. Will be staying in there for 7 ish days

Whisky · Aug 24, 2017

You'll never haul an elk + camp out in 1 trip, with 2 guys, 5-8 miles in. Not legally anyways.

Here are some averages on elk quarters from a butcher shop:
front quarter bone in - 36 lbs
front quarter boned out - 28 lbs
hind quarter bone in - 66 lbs
hind quarter boned out - 58 lbs
Misc (neck, brisket, ribs, straps, loins) - 56 lbs

Are you training with 130+ lbs?? Figure half an elk boned out will be 100-125 lbs of meat. Not to mention if you have to haul cape and antlers. Good luck

Kurtr · Aug 24, 2017

I'm thinking 2 trips should be really doable than. Nice part is lows in high 20's that time of year so meat should not spoil.

Imagine packing out with Aron Snyder and a couple of the mountain goats he runs with. They have done a elk and camp in one trip a few different times in Colorado.

remm · Aug 24, 2017

If I were you I'd be making friends with a horse and few mules.

Bowhunter_24 · Aug 24, 2017

a full elk along with camp for two dudes would be impossible.

especially if you are taking a head and or cape.

My buddy is on a hot shot crew and fights fires in the mountains all summer long and carries a pack and a chain saw. He is a man among boys. I'm in good shape as well and strong. There is no way we could do it. ha

trekking poles are the shit.

Kurtr · Aug 24, 2017

remm said:
If I were you I'd be making friends with a horse and few mules.

A horse and mules can't go where we will be

Bowhunter_24 · Aug 24, 2017

Come on cowboy! A horse can go anywhere!

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I looked quick thru my photos for a pack job pic and found this picture instead. Elk are large animals. Ha

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49 days.. that's like tomorrow. I'm pumped. Fall is basically here!

pluckem · Aug 24, 2017

Kurtr said:
Say it is about 5-8 miles through some pretty rough terrain. I am leaning towards multiple trips if conditions allow as if it goes right we are going to have a few to get out.

I would start looking into and calling some packers to have something lined up it needed. I take it a "few" is 3+ elk, and maybe you are going with 4 guys? If you want to spend the majority of time hunting vs. packing it might be worth paying for the service. Especially early on.

Agree to split whatever meat is harvested between the entire party, split packing service between the party, to me it would be money well spent to focus on helping other buddies fill a tag with some fresh legs to boot.

remm · Aug 24, 2017

Kurtr said:
A horse and mules can't go where we will be

Good luck on your hunt. Sure a hell of a lot tougher and more ambitious than I am. I got tired enough hiking around for elk just carrying my rifle. Sure felt good to get back on a horse and ride the few miles back to camp every night rather than have to hike back.

And I think you'd be surprised where a good team of mules can be led.

Kurtr · Aug 24, 2017

Nope the pack out is part of the otc diy thing. It's a challenge I look forward to

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We were there last year that's how I know mules won't work. No trails and to steep

KDM · Aug 24, 2017

Kurtr said:
A horse and mules can't go where we will be

This answers many of the questions I had and speaks volumes about staying away from performance enhancing drugs. You my friend are dangerously close to OD'ing on Viagra. (Grin)

pluckem · Aug 24, 2017

Kurtr said:
Nope the pack out is part of the otc diy thing. It's a challenge I look forward to

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We were there last year that's how I know mules won't work. No trails and to steep

I get that as being part of the hunt, and I knew that would be the answer. When you mentioned the goal or hope is to pack out a few elk through 5-7 miles that a horse, mule, or lamas cant even go then its sounds like the first two guys in the party will be the lucky ones and the other guys will have the joy of spending their entire hunt packing out elk! (not the worst problem to have)

Which is completely fine if all members in the group are aware of that possibility. Just comes down to expectations of each hunter and knowing them ahead of the hunt. If its an annual trip make sure the guys who didn't fill a tag get first crack the following year.

Oh and to get back on topic... I would go lighter if there was more hunting and work to be done. Don't completely burn out your legs and be safer. Go heavy if it was the last trip out.

WormWiggler · Aug 24, 2017

I see future work for a drone....

Kurtr · Aug 25, 2017

All ready banned from the national Forest.

elk pack out

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