Packers for a solo hunter

by **MidMoElkNut** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 1]

I was reading on another thread about hunting solo and someone mentioned having a packer lined up just in case.
I have never killed an elk and have never had to pack one and I hunt solo so for these reasons I don't go into areas where I'm afraid I won't be able to pack out an elk by myself so it limits me on where and how hard I hunt which is really starting to aggravate me. I have been try to find someone that will hunt with me so I can take more risks but it's hard to find a good person and not a big headache like it was the first year.

My question is how hard is it or how do you work out a deal with a packer if you was to kill an elk and need them in a short notice?

Also what would something like that cost or consist of?

Thanks

by **Gypsumreaper** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 2]

Where are you hunting? What state? Gmu? Average cost depends on the outfit, what the terrain is and how far in you are.

by **MidMoElkNut** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 3]

This will be north central Colorado around the steamboat springs area

by **Gypsumreaper** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 4]

Ok so here's how colorado outfitting works, an outfitter is allowed to outfit within his permitted area. Therefore if you are not in his area he really can't help you. Next if you find a random guy with horses to come in and do it you cannot pay, trade, or do any type of transaction with him legally. I don't know many of the outfitters in steamboat. So your source for finding one is the Colorado Outfitters Association, or by calling the USFS district in that area and they should be able to tell you who is permitted in the area you are hunting. Not all outfitters do game packing, but it is always a good idea to line it up ahead of time, this gives them a heads up and gets you better service if you have a relationship with them before hand. The biggest reason an outfitter will tell you no on packing game is when he gets a phone call in the middle of the season out of the blue. We're all busy and don't always have the extra hands or stock to do it, but with a heads up when you're in the area we can adjust if needed or have guys somewhat on call in case of emergency.

Most guys are gonna require you to pick the meat to the nearest horse accessible trail or charge you a fee to hike in an get it down themselves.

by **Indian Summer** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 5]

Gypsum would be correct. One thing worth mentioning is that an "outfitters area" usually refers to where he has camps. Camping on National Forest is called overnight use on a USFS user permit. But there is another category called day use. This is where they have hunters stay off of National Forest at a lodge, hotel etc. Day use areas often overlap with other outfitters so you have more than one permitted outfitter as an option to try to make arrangements with. But good luck they are busy and an outfitter is lucky to know what he is doing tomorrow let alone this coming September or October. Do NOT rely on that as your plan. You'd be better off having contact info for a horse leasing company that delivers saddled stock with pack panniers so you can lead them in, toss on your quarters, and lead them out.

I hear you on limiting your area because of packing. It's not a good feeling.

by **>>>---WW---->** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 6]

The USFS in Steamboat will have a list of all the legal packers and the areas they are allowed to pack in. Be sure to call them for a list.

by **saddlesore** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 7]

The going rate for an outfitter I know in that general area is $400.

To tell the truth , even with my own mules,there are still areas I don't go into because the elk are too hard to get out

by **Gypsumreaper** » 04 06, 2017 • [Post 8]

Saddlesore, I have several of those areas in my usage area as well. But I tell my clients you get one in there, it has to come to here before I can get stock to it.

Indiansummer, that is another good option I know sombrero is in the craig area and usually delivers. Although there are also rules about them dropping horses in areas. We have had issues with this and they legally cannot drop a horse on national forest unless permitted in that area. It's not as big of a deal if there isn't a permitted outfitter there. But if there is an outfitter permitted there he can raise hell about it even if he is not able to do it himself. So if you do that option the best thing to do is meet the leaser off of national forest and haul the horses yourself to the forest. This is how a few leasers have gotten around the rule in my area. Not saying don't do it but just like to keep hunters from getting in trouble.

If you do find a packer that will pack make sure everything is legal. If they are illegally outfitting and you hired them you are also responsible if they get caught.

by **Brendan** » 04 07, 2017 • [Post 9]

My biggest worry about relying on a packer or someone I need to call - what if i can't get in touch or they have clients with bulls down when I need them?

I almost feel like the way to go is plan to be able to get it out yourself, and consider a packer or horses to be a bonus...

I suppose that's a good reason to hunt with a friend or an outfitter...

by **Gypsumreaper** » 04 07, 2017 • [Post 10]

That's how it is Brendan, if I got a call from a hunter that said I need a packout, and also got a call from a client in a camp saying the same, and I'm the only one that can do it, first job is going to my client, BUT the way I operate is I get my clients meat off the mountain and I'm on my way to the hunter. We don't care if it's 12 at night, if you got meat down and need help we're gonna get to you. If I can get ahold of someone that knows my area and my horses I usually pay them a premium to come in and get to packing. Sometimes I won't make any money off of the packout after paying someone to come in short notice. Sounds greedy I know but we wanna make sure to assist hunters at all costs and I will most likely cut you a discount for waiting. Our business feels we are privileged to outfit on lands and we need to take care of all hunters, hikers anyone in need of assistance.

by **saddlesore** » 04 07, 2017 • [Post 11]

Brendan wrote:My biggest worry about relying on a packer or someone I need to call - what if i can't get in touch or they have clients with bulls down when I need them?

I almost feel like the way to go is plan to be able to get it out yourself, and consider a packer or horses to be a bonus...

I suppose that's a good reason to hunt with a friend or an outfitter...

Or own your own.

by **Swede** » 04 07, 2017 • [Post 12]

I have heard too many horror stories about unreliable packers to depend on one I don't know reasonably well. As much sincere assurance as I have had from Oly and others; can I really expect them to leave work and family requirements, on short notice to drive for hours, to come help me pack out a beast? I know they mean well, but would consider it a bonus to have one show up. I would not totally depend on help showing and have no other way of saving my elk.
Ain't no way I would totally depend on someone that has a ranch, cattle on public land, outfitter operations, broke down equipment, kids with measles, and a county fair to attend.

by **saddlesore** » 04 07, 2017 • [Post 13]

Gypsumreaper wrote:.

Indiansummer, that is another good option I know sombrero is in the craig area and usually delivers. Although there are also rules about them dropping horses in areas. We have had issues with this and they legally cannot drop a horse on national forest unless permitted in that area. It's not as big of a deal if there isn't a permitted outfitter there. But if there is an outfitter permitted there he can raise hell about it even if he is not able to do it himself. So if you do that option the best thing to do is meet the leaser off of national forest and haul the horses yourself to the forest. This is how a few leasers have gotten around the rule in my area. Not saying don't do it but just like to keep hunters from getting in trouble.

I have a question for you Gypsumreaper. Sounds like you hunt/outfit in the Flat Tops.Maybe even in the SE corner. Sombrero delivers horse to the NF parking lot at Sweetwater Lake,AJ Brink outfitter is right there.They also deliver up above Derby Junction to that trail head that goes back to Big Springs , blow W Mountain. In the NW corner,they deliver to the Morapos Creek Trail head , and also have a corral about 2 miles down the road. J Bar H outfitters have that entire area.The deliver to California park, north of Hayden
So does Sombrero have a permit for all that NF land. I do know of one horse rental operation down near Blue Lake southwest of Gunniosn and he cannot deliver on NF land.I would like to know more about all that if you have time

by **Gypsumreaper** » 04 07, 2017 • [Post 14]

I'm in the Maroon bells area of Redstone. So I do know sombrero does deliver horses. It's a bit of a weird subject when it comes to horse leasing that I am still learning. But some Outfitters have allowed guys to lease horses, I know a few that just get a commission for allowing them to drop the horses. I've been told they can drop anywhere on private land. So like aj brink may just take a small commission for allowing them to drop there.

It's a weird subject that the USFS officials I work with are even looking into it and trying to get it all figured out.

by **TimeOnTarget** » 04 07, 2017 • [Post 15]

I always figured I was the packer....

by **Lefty** » 04 08, 2017 • [Post 16]

I found a guide, packer and outfitter in my area.
He lives 40 miles from the unit. He would not be available during hunting season, but his wife and kids would be, and they make 2-4 trips a week with supplies and help. His young kids and wife had impressive horseman skills. Nearly every place we hunt, 3-4 miles down hill is a trail or road.

$200.00 Cheaper than calling home and having someone come up with a horse.

by **Roosiebull** » 04 08, 2017 • [Post 17]

Gypsumreaper wrote:That's how it is Brendan, if I got a call from a hunter that said I need a packout, and also got a call from a client in a camp saying the same, and I'm the only one that can do it, first job is going to my client, BUT the way I operate is I get my clients meat off the mountain and I'm on my way to the hunter. We don't care if it's 12 at night, if you got meat down and need help we're gonna get to you. If I can get ahold of someone that knows my area and my horses I usually pay them a premium to come in and get to packing. Sometimes I won't make any money off of the packout after paying someone to come in short notice. Sounds greedy I know but we wanna make sure to assist hunters at all costs and I will most likely cut you a discount for waiting. Our business feels we are privileged to outfit on lands and we need to take care of all hunters, hikers anyone in need of assistance.

that doesn't sound greedy to me one bit....sounds dedicated, good on you.

I don't hunt anywhere a packer is a reality, there are no options available....that being said, like others have mentioned, I would never ever kill one outside of my physical means, I always plan on doing it myself....if I get help, awesome, but never rely on someone else, because stuff happens....maybe they want to help, and are willing, but there is no way to get ahold of them, or something happens on their end not letting them do it. too much at stake.

i'm with others who said, be able to do it yourself, and consider a packer a bonus.