I think a lot of people who have never hunted/downed an elk have no idea how big a critter they are. You can move a deer around pretty easy, but two people are lucky to just get a bull positioned to where you can field process him. If you're by yourself, it can be a real witch before you even start the packout of all that meat/head/cape. People need to realize they need to plan AHEAD and have all the equipment, including a good pack if an animal has to be broken down and taken out on your back. At 65 years old, I've still done one just about every year for the last 10-12 years to help friends out, but the times are getting short when I'll be watching and guiding the others instead of doing a lot of carrying myself, LOL!
Oh and I forgot to mention, in all the 30 plus years of elk hunting we have only had 1 elk you could drive up to. All others have been cut up and packed on horse or our backs. Can't even imagine being able to drive up to one. That would be freaking sweet. Oh and I should mention I guide often as well, still only 1 elk out of all those years. LOL
The 5x5 turned out to be in a gully that I was able drive my truck into only because it has lockers front and rear, as well as a Merlin Crawler reduction that allows the truck to crawl over rocks, boulders and stair steps.
Most of our elk have been several miles from any type of access other than boning the meat off the carcass and backpacking it out requiring several trips.
The 5x5 is of my friend Chris (on the left), I'm on the right. We packed in 12 miles on horse back. The elk was downed 6 miles from our base camp. It was quartered and packed out on a mule.
Bottom line: We develop a plan and follow through. So far we've had great success. There are hiccups but we adapt and refine to meet the conditions and unexpected situations.
all the responses given are well taken and very helpful.
Oh and I forgot to mention, in all the 30 plus years of elk hunting we have only had 1 elk you could drive up to. All others have been cut up and packed on horse or our backs. Can't even imagine being able to drive up to one. That would be freaking sweet. Oh and I should mention I guide often as well, still only 1 elk out of all those years. LOL
Out of the last 35 elk I shot.That one I called to the road and zipped him with my bow.That just how good I am
I gutted it, skinned the animal the carcass froze is it hung for 2 days at camp I put the hide down on the pickup bed. I put the frozen carcass on the high filled the cavity with ice and put several bags of ice on top of the carcass and then a tarp over top after I transported it home the meat was cut up. in my opinion the meat had no damage or taste issues
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