Packing out your Elk

[CurlyTail]

I thought I would share how we pack out the Elk after a successful hunt.

I am interested in how others do it, to see if we could be more efficient, and if we are taking large enough loads.

I hunt with my brother and we typically carry out the front quarters ( about 40 lbs.) along with our regular hunting packs (about 23lbs.) as the first load. Total weight about 65lbs., and out hunting packs can handle this - barely. We both hunt with a Tenzing 2200 day pack that we like very much. We skin the Elk, but leave the bones in the quarters.

We have never used pack animals, as I am reluctant to lead a local stranger to my honey holes. No way a cart could be of use in this rough terrain.

The second load is usually a hind quarter (about 70 lbs.) which we strap onto a Cabelas external frame freighter pack. With water and snacks - total weight maybe 75lbs.

The third load one guy takes a bag of hamburger meat (about 65lbs.) and the other guy takes the rack and a bag of backstraps/tenderloins. (about 50 lbs.). Sometimes we take out the bag of Backstraps/tenderloins first instead of a front quarter since this is the most precious meat.

That totals up to 390lbs. total weight carried out, this includes the weight of the packs. That is almost 200lbs. per person for 2 guys.

I am in my mid 50's and in good shape. My personal load limit is 80-100lbs max. 80 is uncomfortable, 100 is miserable. 60 is way better. My brother is smaller than me and his comfort zone is about 10lbs. less. With a 75lbs. load one of us will usually stumble and fall at least once on a trip out of the bush. Our hunting area had no established trails, and abundant blowdown and large rocks. Our packing distance is seldom more 2.5 miles.

These weights are estimates, and vary on the size of the Elk. Our Elk this year yielded 275 lbs. of meat - our most ever! . We are kind of ridiculously thorough about getting every scrap of meat off of the carcass.

I never take the ivories - to me they are ugly and I don't know what to do with them. I cant get excited about an Elk tooth no matter how hard I try.

Do you agree with these weight estimates? If not, where am I off? What do you do different? I would love to somehow get the pack-out down to only two trips. How do you do it?

Paul mentioned on one thread that they sometimes get an Elk out in only one trip. I just don't see how they could be that strong. Maybe I need different gear, or maybe I need a different attitude or more time in the gym!

[Swede]

I believe your weights are reasonable. I am more of a 60 pounder now. I could handle more, but only for shorter pack outs. It depends a lot on the terrain and the distance. I prefer to gut and quarter my elk, if I have a short <1 mile, flat or a down hill pack out. Joe said he believes it easier to carry the meat with the bone in even for longer distances. I have to admit, I don't see his point. It may be a personal preference. I agree it is easier to keep it clean if it is exposed less to the elements. I don't know how any two people can carry out a mature elk very far in one load. I packed out a half elk years ago. It was I/2 mile up hill about 12%. I will never attempt that again. There are a few people that I hunt with that handle huge loads. Ya just gota love em.

[Ilikefire]

I've recently started using a body bag, yes a body bag ( we had some at work that hadn't been used and were going to be thrown away so I grabbed a few) the are heavy duty and fairly light in the pack and they have a lot of handles on the sides and ends. This might be a way for you and your brother to pack out in fewer trips.
I used it this year to help a buddy pack out a large elk, it took us 1 trip because he boned out the elk before packing, then a decent sized elk was packed bone in and it took 2 trips with that.

I'm sure if you just went somewhere and asked for a body bag you would get a lot of funny looks. But be ready to explain yourself on what you're doing and if they have any I'm sure they would be willing to give you one or 2.

[Indian Summer]

No trails and abundant blowdowns! I think you're doing a great job and I wouldn't change a thing. Well actually I would change one... I'd take the ivories.

Have you seen the rings and pendants our new sponsor Rocky Mountain Ivories makes?

[Swede]

Ilikefire, you are actually not entirely alone on leaving ivories. My son and I have left a bunch in the forest or given them away. I have enough to do what I want.

[ElkNut1]

Yes, my son & I have packed out quite a few 1/2 an elk each over the years. Our packs while hunting for the day will vary from 13# to 18# so we start out fairly light. Our packs are designed to hunt with them on our backs & double as meat haulers, this is a huge asset these days. Here's how we carry an elk out!

We use gutless method to begin with & remove entire hide off one side, we cut both hindquarter legs off at the joint & remove both front & rears. The hind goes in it's own game bag & is set aside in shade, the front is boned out & put in a 2nd bag. We then add the backstrap & tenderloin along with aprox 10#-12# of neck scrap from the one side into the 2nd bag. We roll elk over & repeat process. If under two miles we leave hindquarter on the bone! Over two miles & we bone hind! A hind bone weighs aprox 12#-14# We are not huge burger people so avoid rib meat as well as any scrap that would only go to burger, we still get plenty of burger as is from cutting up what does come out along with all our steaks. Depending on the elk will depend on the weight of our packs. Most elk are 5-point & 6 points. You do have to be in shape to handle these loads as well as have a very good pack, not just any pack will haul these weights without beating you up! (grin) We haul most elk out in the 1-1/2 mile to 4 mile range & do not use trails or gated roads. We take lots of rests as needed! (grin) Our packs will weigh aprox 105# to 125#. We do not want to go back if we do not have too for a 2nd trip! (grin)

We've taken the Ivories off every elk we've killed!

ElkNut1

[Elkduds]

E. All of the above. Because my hauling frame has no shelf (just my old backpacking frame) I leave the bone in, it is easier to secure firmly to the frame. I definitely take the time to extract the ivories. My daypack is a lumbar pack, so a front quarter may go over my shoulder for the 1st trip to get the packframe.

[CurlyTail]

This is very helpful!

I did a front quarter over the shoulder once, and by the time I was at the truck I was really struggling and shifting positions constantly. I don't want a steady diet of that.

I am totally impressed that Elknut can haul over 100lbs. over rough terrain - perhaps I could do this too! Maybe give it a try next season - NOT!!!!!

My real plan next season is to invite my new 23 year old son-in-law to Elk Camp. He can do the 100lbs load! I will take his picture.

[saddlesore]

You definitely don't want to be doing this often.

[ElkNut1]

Saddlesore, great photo! I remember those days & wow talk about gutting the packout for miles makes me cringe, it can be brutal!

Jim, the only way I have carried & still carry those weights is a year around workout routine that I do religiously! I do everything I can to stay in elk shape even at 60. My limit is under 125# as that's enough in a lot of the country we hunt. It can be steep & rough with more downfall & brush than one can imagine. I truly do like packing meat out though, I think I'm a glutton for punishment! (grin) At 5'-7" & 153# some of the loads can really test your fortitude especially the ones that take 4 to 6 hours to get out one way! This last year I took a 5 hour energy for the first time on one of the packouts & wow it really helped out! Nothing replaces a vigorous workout 3-4 days a week though & carrying a weighted pack two - three months before the season.

ElkNut1

[Ghost]

Saddle Sore, your not on 24hr by chance?

[ElkNut1]

Cort, yep that's him. (Vince) He's a wealth of knowledge & certainly one we can all learn from! Overall great man & elk hunter!

ElkNut1

[saddlesore]

Thanks for the kind words Paul. Yep, I have been on the Campfire for a long long time.

Here is a photo I took just for Elknut with his Playbook in the foreground, 2007 time frame.
Luckily I didn't have to pack this bull out.

[Lefty]

My elk so far have been easy to get out. A horse showed up, ATV access was close Short packs, drags to an area to load
I have packed some deer out. Bone out everything.
One time I took a mulie a long ways down and in. I was so exhausted I couldn't see straight when I got back to the truck. A buddy offered to go in and retrieve the rest of the deer after church the next day.
I had packed everything except the backstraps and horns and didnt even remember putting that much in the pack

I use a day pack designed to haul meat
Spend the time and take out the bone it will save you time and effort packing the meat

[ishy]

We hunt with pack frames on. Debone everything over 1 mile pack.

[MTLongdraw]

I was fortunate enough to pack out 5 elk this year. 4 of the times I took a front shoulder and a back ham with bone in. 800 yards, 1 mile, 3 miles, and 5.5...the longer two trips I hurt pretty bad upon arrival. It rode fine but the last time we took the time to bone out. I was able to get a front and rear and some loose meat all in a deer sized game bag. Rode nicer, fit in the pack better, and obviously saves you a few pounds. From here on out I think I'll try that if I'm more than a mile in. You're already there, sometimes it's nice not to have to come back the next day...buying a meat hauling pack is the best investment I've ever made.

[Ghost]

Nice to see you here Saddle, though this board isnt quite as lively as 24 (thank goodness!) And Pauls right, Ive read your posts on 24, some very useful information!

[CurlyTail]

Paul actually likes hauling meat. Amazing - so do I. I find the physical exertion exhilarating. I enjoy the challenge to see if I can still rise to the occasion. The time urgency and physical demands bring a satisfaction that is hard to describe. I believe a tough haul also makes the meat taste better at home.

[saddlesore]

Paul actually likes hauling meat. Amazing - so do I. I find the physical exertion exhilarating. I enjoy the challenge to see if I can still rise to the occasion. The time urgency and physical demands bring a satisfaction that is hard to describe. I believe a tough haul also makes the meat taste better at home.

You will see how amazing it is that mindset changes after you get your Medicare card.