thomasbangs
Well-Known Member
Have read and participated in some very interesting stories on this thread and contributed some of my own. From what I've read most seem to know what it takes and has the equipment with them to handle taking care of a elk. I was very fortunate when I started hunting elk in Idaho in my
late 20's, the guys I started hunting with were all experienced Idaho steep ground elk hunters and we took along everything a person would need to gut, skin, quarter, and hang 4 elk quarters. We never lost any meat due to not being taken care of properly and sometimes early October elk hunting daytime temperatures can be 70 degrees. Same with my 4 adult sons and now 4 grandchildren hunting. Sometimes this means working on and packing out elk at night when it is cooler. I have seen hunters being dropped off at the top of the mountain for an all day hunt to be picked up on the road in the bottom or taking off into a deep canyon in 70 degree temperatures with just their rifle and no pack whatsoever, I would assume they had a knife. What they would do or how much meat was lost if they shot a elk I have no idea.
late 20's, the guys I started hunting with were all experienced Idaho steep ground elk hunters and we took along everything a person would need to gut, skin, quarter, and hang 4 elk quarters. We never lost any meat due to not being taken care of properly and sometimes early October elk hunting daytime temperatures can be 70 degrees. Same with my 4 adult sons and now 4 grandchildren hunting. Sometimes this means working on and packing out elk at night when it is cooler. I have seen hunters being dropped off at the top of the mountain for an all day hunt to be picked up on the road in the bottom or taking off into a deep canyon in 70 degree temperatures with just their rifle and no pack whatsoever, I would assume they had a knife. What they would do or how much meat was lost if they shot a elk I have no idea.