Packing.. What comes out first?

[WapitiTalk1]

After seeing some responses on the pack saw thread in the gear area, I'm curious. With two guys, after a bull is down, how does your pack out go and what comes out first and on subsequent trips? I saw that some seasoned elk slayers don't pack a saw in their day/collapsible meat hauler with them during a normal day hunt. They mentioned that they leave it at their truck or camp to retrieve after the first trip out. I am not as accomplished as some of my esteemed elknut's on this site but have put a few down. For me, the horns always come out in the first load and at a minimum, the straps and loins. Now sometimes it works out that more meat will come out on the first load (time of day, weather, if other folks are available for the pack out, all are considerations) but as a general rule, the rack is riding on my pack the first trip out (necessitating the need to pack a saw). Now this really only applies to an area that is bull only. How about you cats? With a partner, what is your recurrent pack out plan after big stinky has hit the ground? RJ

[Swede]

Hind quarter comes out first, then front quarters. The last thing I pack out is the head, with the tag. I am concerned that someone might take the head, if I leave it in the back of the truck, and tag it for themselves. It is probably excess caution, but the hind quarters are easier to hide than the head.

[WapitiTalk1]

Point taken Swede. Anxious to hear what others offer on their methodology for their pack out regimen. RJ

[Swede]

Another thing to consider is that meat cooling in the back of your truck in the shade is not being eaten by some vermin. I have a good canopy so even the flies aren't a bother.

[Solitude]

Not that I am a trophy hunter, but knowing the last load out will be with horns on my back seems to keep me motivated to get the meat off the mountain as quick as possible. Also, if it takes an extra day to get back to get the head no big deal so long as the meat is safe and cooled down. Nothing worse then getting the meat out and having a portion of it spoiled after all we put into this obsession.

[CrazyElkHunter]

Depends on if I am hunting alone or with a partner and also time of day . If I am hunting alone, I always gut the elk right away, sprinkle it with chili powder to keep flies and meat bees off and then go get help and pack frames. I carry a lot of rope to hold legs back so I can gut elk by myself. If I have a partner, one go's for help, game bags and pack frames while the other one starts skinning and boning. When we finish the entire elk, then we start packing meat to camp or quads, depending on where the elk was shot. The area we hunt, we have never used vehicles other than quads to get elk back to camp, only to take to town for processing. Most of the time we cape the head on the spot so 1 guy can bring out some meat and horns on 1 of the trips, not in any order. Last year, on my bull, there was only 2 of us and we made 4 trips a piece to a staging area and loaded it all on 2 quads for the trip to camp. I have never had a issue with other hunters taking meat or horns, but we usually stage everything where it wiill not be easily be seen. Also in Colorado, the tag is attached to a main portion of meat, not on the horns. Since we bone everything out we put the tag, signed and validated in one of the meat bags. We did do a few gutless methods, but only if the elk was taken care of right away.

[LckyTylr]

This last year was my first "elk down experience". I called in a spike for my friend and he shot his first elk. We used the gutless method that I had learned and we had the spike broken down in about 45 minutes. I had a saw with me, but didn't need it as I was able to locate the hip and knee joints. We deboned the hind quarters but not the front. First trip out we each carried hind quarters. Second trip was front shoulders, neck meat, tenderloins, back loins and spikes. Third trip was camp. We had a 3.5 mile hike from elk to truck with 2,100 vertical feet of elevation. Spike was shot at 07:57 and we were on the road headed home around 20:15 that evening, so we both did (3 trips * 3.5 miles each way) 21 miles and gained 6,300 ft of elevation (NOT loaded). Ugh! Good thing we are young and dumb. My friend initially didn't want to go down into the bowl where I knew this spike had been hanging out. He kept telling me that "nothing lives down there" because the walls of the bowl were so steep and precarious (loose boulders). Finally I made him sit down and glass the bowl . . . . "I see an Elk . . . it's a SPIKE!". Down we went.

[easeup]

I dont recall it happening for me as you noted mr. phantom.
when solo I do what I can; but usually it all stays under the shade of a fir tree until I return with the guys in the avatar.
They are reliable and take it all in one trip .....

Now a couple of years ago, I packed an entire bull out on a packframe and I am a little amused at myself regarding the order of the parts that came down the mountain that day. Probably not the smartest move but the horns came first with the biggest grin I could not restrain.

[elkmtngear]

Hindquarter first. With evidence of sex and tag.

This way, if I hike back up to my rig and hang the meat near it to cool, there will be no suspicion raised from DOW guys that may happen to be running the ridgetop.

I don't need any surprises when I'm bringing out the rest of it.

[cnelk]

Hunting alone I will hang the quarters in game bags. I will pack all the loose meat (loins, blackstrap, neck meat) out in the first trip.
Upon return to the kill site I will debone everything and pack whatever I think is right for the time.
Then return for the remaining meat/antlers

Hunting with buddy(s)
We will hang the quarters in game bags and take loose meat out on first trip.
Upon return to the kill site we pack all remaining meat, and antlers if applicable, at that time.

When hunting with a buddy, we tend to get deeper into elk country. So when we get one we gather the troops to get it out in one trip

[GetemDuck]

I have probably the least amount of experience here but all the elk i have helped back out were one trip jobs. 4 hunters a game cart and 3 frame packs make short work of a mature cow and two dumb hillbillies a game cart and 2 frame packs can haul a nice bull out in one trip.....granite our bull was only a mile or so back and all down hill.......just the way I LIKE IT

[Z Barebow]

I do the exact same as cnelk.

Taking care of the meat is your #1 priority. That rack won't go bad. Stash it away from the game bags if you are worried about it. But it comes out with my last load of meat. (I hunt solo).

[>>>---WW---->]

For sure, the backstraps and tenderloins on the first trip out. But before I leave I quarter and bag the rest and put it in a place to cool. That would either be hanging or placed on some logs over a running stream. Then it is off to camp for help from friends, the horse, or the ATV. What ever works! If no help, it's the pack frame and a lot of work.

[ElkNut1]

Horns & packable meat in most cases on first trip out, if a 2nd trip is needed then the rest of meat, we always do our best to get meat into coolest spot available where animal is down & back at the rig or camp.

ElkNut1

[WapitiTalk1]

All good posts gentlemen; thanks for taking a minute to offer your thoughts on this topic. I guess my rationale for taking out horns on the first trip (I've never taken out a head/just skull cap) and the straps/loins, even though the following has never happened to me, is that I worry about bears or wolves staking claim to the kill site before I get back, or, a hunter snagging my hard earned rack. Probably just a bit paranoid I suppose. RJ

[msd1228]

I like to do hind quarters first just because I like to take the heaviest loads while I still have the most energy. Rack is last because I don't want somebody stealing when its stashed near my truck.

[cnelk]

IMO
The rack is the least important part getting out.

[Indian Summer]

Crazyelkhunter.... you must be crazy to pack an elk with the rack right side up!!! Lots of places I run you wouldn't make it very far before the rack was caught up in branches. And if you fall like that yikes! Just looks too top heavy too. Is that really ready to roll or just a Hollywood shot?

I use the gutless method and haven't gutted an elk in a long time. I look at it this way....anything I get out while carrying my weapon and daypack is a plus. Daypacks aren't really optimum meat packers anyway. I'll usually go for a front quarter since the daypack is adding to my packing weight saving the heavy hinds for when I return with a real meat pack. Since I know a partner (unless it's my brother) will always offer to carry the other front I'll leave the backstraps to add to his load. LOL! Meanwhile my chore on trip 2 while I'm rested & with a good freighter pack is a hind and the skull, a pretty serious load especially if it's a big bull. That's why I'd prefer to pack it on trip 1 with the front. I pack my own skulls so it's NOT going on my partners back with that other front. Pain for glory.

If it's not too late on trip 1 I'll definitely put in extra effort to pack out the entire skull although I will quickly skin it and remove the lower jaw which eliminates tons of weight. Whole heads skin on are serious weight! I never cut skull plates. I've never deboned an elk either... but as I get older I'm sure thinking about it.

My brother is 2 years younger, a few inches taller... and insane. In a pinch we've strapped an unboned hind on him AND a threw a front over his shoulder. You'd assume they were poser photos but they're not. They're actually very serious circumstances where we barely stopped to use the camera but just had to capture the kodak moment.

If I leave a skull/rack in camp when I go for a 2nd trip I hide it somewhere since it can be a cruel world.

Packin' elk..... just talking about it gets me winded... and giggly. Stay thirsty my friends.

[tdiesel]

just a thought If your worried about antlers being taken most the time those that take will be in the area. we have started etching out initials small in the crotch of the fighter tine with knife after all is said and done. That way you can always prove those are your antlers at a later time if needed got the idea from a friend who put a match head in the scent opening in front of the eye. His head was taken and he drove around and saw the head called it in and told DOW officer match head was there upon checking them out they all got a neat ticket and he got his head back. It is a messed up world.

[ElkNut1]

You see guys/gals, there's no right or wrong as to when the horns come out. What's important to one may not be to another. Look at cnelk, he doesn't value the horns as much as I, I on the other hand value them as much as the meat so bring them out 1st if possible. I value them because every time I look at them on the wall it brings back a ton of memories that we went through on every elk we've taken, I really cherish those times & they are very special to me. Size of rack is irrelevant, all are trophies, all have significant meaning, I enjoy reliving some of those hunts, the sight of the horns help me to do this! (grin)

ElkNut1

[>>>---WW---->]

I suppose it really doesn't matter when the antlers come out so long as there is no meat spoilage. It's just a matter of priorities I guess. But if you are looking at a long pack that may require several trips over a couple of days, the meat needs to take priority.

[Indian Summer]

"all trophies to me" That's right!

On a side note: In Alaska the horns are required to come out LAST. Part of their effort to curb wanton waste in an area where there are big animals killed that are hard to get out. If you have a rack and ALL of the meat isn't right next to it you're up Brown's Creek without a paddle. They also require ALL of the meat to come out including neck and ribs AND... still on the bone ribs and all. Wow huh. Now you know why they say rack last. Lots of work there and they make sure it's all done before you can claim your prize. Pretty smart really.

[cnelk]

i guess i need to clarify my importance of antlers...

WW nailed it.
Antlers wont spoil. They can be packed out anytime. even after the meat is back in camp or wherever cooling.

i have hunted Alaska and yes, the antlers must be last packed out. So does that mean the Alaska Game & Fish doesnt value horns/antlers?
No. They value the meat a bit more. Just like I do.

I also enjoy looking at all my antlers, big and small. Reliving each hunt as much as the next guy...

[Swede]

What we pack out first probably reflects our mind set and what we ultimately value most. Even when I hide the antlers, it is mostly with the thought that I don't want to lose the meat. I am not sure if this is rational thinking, but my slight fear is that if I have the antlers out at the truck and I am going back for a load of shoulder and neck meat, someone could see all of the best out there for the taking while I am gone. If they don't have the head, I have the proof of ownership. I know it is not rational thinking either, as I would never find the rascal who stole my meat anyway. Still, the antlers don't mean a lot to me and I have given almost all of my big ones away. I still have pictures, but the largest one I ever shot came before I had a camera. Oh well, I shot it with a rifle, so does it count? Talk about a mind set.

[Swede]

Hey Cnelk, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on the operating table? Don't tell us you are finished and you are back in the April hunting camp already. Best wishes on the surgery, even if you don't read this until after it is over.

[one_elk]

Meat first, then horns on last trip, if your in the woods in southern co and find a set of horns hanging in the fork of an aspen tree (we actually left a set of antlers in the fork of an aspen tree years ago and the tree has grown around, I will see if I can find the picture...)odds are we were there....left a few sets in the woods....

[cnelk]

Hey Cnelk, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on the operating table? Don't tell us you are finished and you are back in the April hunting camp already. Best wishes on the surgery, even if you don't read this until after it is over.

I was in the recovery room at 845having coffee...
Allwill be good. thanks for the good wishes

[Swede]

Some characters are just too tough to keep down. A word of warning from an old vet of the operating table. Those clothes they dress you up in are rather drafty in the back, if you know what I mean. Be careful before they take you out for a walk around, and check things out. You could be

[ElkNut1]

Brad, looks you're recovering just fine, cool! When do you get back home?

ElkNut1

[cnelk]

i continued the posts on the other thread that address you thoughts and questions...

[flystrait]

We pack the light weight fold up saws, just to knock the horns off with.

1) We will quarter the whole elk then bone out everything
2) Take off the back straps, loins and neck meat.
3) Knock of the horns
4) Bag everthing up and hang in a tree
5) The shooter puts the backstraps, loins and misc meat in their pack and then tie on the horns.
6) The caller puts a boned out hind quarter in his pack and the rest of misc meat.
7) Haul out the first load and then try to get some sleep
8) Hunt back in if a tag is still available and get the last of the meat 1 hind quarter and 2 fronts, seperate evenly for the final packout

First trip out is #5 and 6. When we get back to camp the meat goes directly into coolers with ice.

We never pack bone in.

[baddaddy]

Usually the hind quarters with tag firest and then the front quarters and backstraps/tenderloin.

[Freebird134]

I can't find my old copy of EBJ, but in 2009 I emailed them a question about why they always pack their antlers out first and Ryan Hatfield (I think) mentioned a few things, including antlers being stolen in the woods. They printed that in an issue, my 2 seconds of fame in a hunting magazine.

[Haulin'Quarters]

I'm with a lot of you guys on this, rears first ( don't have to come back for the heavy after you're tired ), fronts with as much loose meat as possible ( neck, rib, loins, backstraps ), then antlers and I also try to pack parts of camp on each trip out depending on situation.

[slim9300]

My partner and I take out our elk in one trip and we bone out the meat. It's a heavy pack but it saves a huge amount of time and wasted miles. Obviously, we are not taking the cape.

One of us has a saw at all times.

If we are close enough to the truck (less than 1-2 miles depending on the terrain) I prefer to keep the bone in, in these situations for butchering purposes. This normally happens on our Western WA elk.

[Indian Summer]

I uh... got shafted once. lol

A buddy killed a mid sized cow not too far from a road. Far enough though! He came out and tracked me down and we hiked back to the quartered critter. The hike out was just a gradual downhill the entire way. So I said you know what... I'm carrying my 2 quarters in 1 trip even if I have to stop more. It'll save me coming back uphill to make a 2nd trip. He wasn't up for it and pleaded with me to return for a 2nd trip with him. Nope. Off I went veeery slowly but surely. By the time I got to the truck I was ready to die. I was probably 2 inches shorter than when I left! I knew it wouldn't be easy but daaaamn!

I flopped the one off of my shoulder and noticed it wasn't a front. I surely loaded the hind on my pack right? Yeah I did... then picked up the other HIND and packed that out at the same time. He never said a word about it when we left the kill site. Those hinds were unboned too. Dirty dog watched me pack 2 hinds while he carried 1 front!

[Indian Summer]

Packin' stories... one more:

Several of us have a standing gentelmen's agreement. If you get "the call" saying elk down, you come. No matter the time, no matter the place, no matter what the wife says.. you come. Everyone knows better than to fall from grace and leave a guy hanging. We don't make the call unless things are looking ugly. Late, far, nasty weather coming, and exhausted to the point of no return. The thought of payback where everyone leaves you hanging in return is enough to get a guy out of bed and down the road in a hurry.

So 1 time I killed this big cow on the last day of antlerless season. Late. I guarantee it was the last legal shot fired in Montana that year. A meat hunting year. I was alone and the truck was all uphill steep from the kill site. It wasn't all that late but took my brother and a friend a long time to get there. Jerry was about 61 at the time and a guy I'd put on elk before. He was always thankful for that not to mention a guy you could always count on anyway. On the way up the hill he was tired.. and so was I so I let him lead and told him I'm cool with stopping as often as he wanted which was alot. By the time we made the truck it was 1:15 and they both had to be at work by 7 with an hour ride home. War stories. lololol

The next day Jerry had a heart attack. When you hear something like that you can't help but think... holy heck are we lucky that didn't happen on the mountain last night. whew!!!!! Still gives me chills as I type this.

[Swede]

Reading Joe's story about packing out two hind quarters in one trip remind me of a crazy stunt I did once. I killed a cow late one season and I was going to pack out half that evening and come back the next morning and finish up. When I went in for the second hind quarter it was late, but the hike back to the cow was only 1/2 mile. I did not think I would need a flashlight as all I needed to do was lash the second hind quarter to the pack frame and hike out. It was going to be easy even though he pack out was almost all up hill.
When I go back to the kill site, I realized I had not finished skinning around the front shoulders and neck. Well I set my pack down and made quick work of finishing the skinning, but by then it was dark. Very dark. It was heavily overcast, and the moon was just a sliver. I placed the flashlight in my mouth and used both hands to lash the hind quarter to the frame. Just as I started to get the pack on, the bulb on the flashlight burned out. I could not see my hand in front of my face. I sat the pack down.
Thinking it was just a quick trip in and out which I could accomplish before dark, I had no spare anything. I did not even have a coat and it was going to get colder that night. I knew the way to the truck was straight uphill, then across a short flat.
Well, I decided to hike out in the near pitch black darkness. I was using the braille system to find my way. At one point I saw a small glimmer off of a pool of water where my tree stand was. Farther up the hill I saw a little reflection off of a buckskin log. I crossed a rock outcropping which was recognized, as it is the only one in the vicinity. Now I had to cross the flat in total darkness. I knew it was only a little over 100 yards, so with my hands out in front of me I went forward. Staying on a straight line in a situation like that is difficult, and a dicey proposition, but within a few minutes my feet struck what felt like smooth ground. I guessed it was the narrow dirt road I was after. Now, which way is the truck? I decided to turn right and walked a minute. I was sure it was the road now. Just then I saw the third thing that became visible in the dark. It was a wood handle for a wire gate. I knew I had made it back then. I turned around and walked about 50 feet to where the pickup was. I was so nervous that I just jumped in when I found the door, and drove off. When I got near home, I remembered I had left my bow along the road just behind the truck.

That was a short night as I did not sleep well thinking about the bow. Long before daylight I got up and traveled over an hour to get back to where I left that bow. It was just where I had left it, so I picked it up and put it in the truck.
Then I went back to the elk and packed out the second hind quarter. Next, I went back and loaded the whole front half of that cow on the frame. I don't know how the frame stood up to the weight, but it did. I don't know if I could get under the load again today, and stand, but I did that day. That day I packed out that whole half out, even though I had to rest several times by sitting on a log. I swore when I got out I would never do anything like that again. I haven't.

[easeup]

nice recovery room pic with a smile!

that says alot.
does the LH pour coffee down the gown on the first try?

[planebow]

We have allways brought out hind quarters first and horns come out last.