Elk packouts
- Thread starter Hilljackoutlaw
- Start date
Duck-Slayer
Well-known member
The Hedgehog
Well-known member
I used OnXmaps and the direct line tool to get real numbers. Obviously, you cannot pack them out in a straight line, and some of these distances were likely almost 2X that, sometimes even more I think.
Farthest I've ever packed an elk out entirely by myself was 2012, I made 2 terrible trips. All the meat was boned out and even all neck meat came out. No hide. It was exactly 5 miles from the trailhead I used, although there were shorter places to take it out, not easier. 3150' in elevation (from my camp to the truck) with having to take the elk "up" 1600' all off trail and lots of blowdown. I'm thinking this was likely +/- 9 miles one way, based on my route.
I've had many farther ones, but I had help on almost all of them. In 2000 I was 6.4 miles (direct line) and had a friend along, and another return with me to get the 2nd load of meat. It was easily over 10 miles one way. Same year I was with 3 friends - one shot a bull. It was 8.75 miles direct line from the trailhead. We got it out in 1 trip.
My first archery elk '1996 I was alone and first trip out was 6.6 miles as the crow flies. It was certainly more than double that based on the route I took. I had help the next day, including horses. Last 2 miles of my first trip out was without a light, which truly sucked.
My last bull in 2017 was only 1.4 miles from the truck. And I thought it was going to kill me the first night. It was likely about 2.5 miles one way by the route I took. I had help with the second trip.
Some better ones 2013, 370 P&Y 950 yards one way to the road. 2014, 347 P&Y - 110 yards from the road... now those are numbers I like.
The Hedgehog
Well-known member
You could have at least taken the damn bone out for her.
I remembered that my hunttalk pic is from that pack out. Smiles for many reasons and the short hike being one of them.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
I thought wives like it "bone in".
Hilljackoutlaw
Well-known member
- Joined
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Depends on her mood
Ebayollis
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How feasible would it be to use a cart such as the hawk crawler ?
Western Traveler1
Well-known member
Nice looking cart. There are places carts work and places they wouldn’t go 50 feet in the entire trip out, it just depends. Of the last 3 elk I was involved in packing out, a cart would have worked in one, possibly in another if we were willing to unload and load a few times and one it would not have gone that 50 feet I mentioned.
If I had the room for a cart maybe I would bring one along but I always bring my “Alaska frame pack” type pack with me. Mine has packed a fair amount of meat over the years.
I ordered a roll up sled that someone mentioned on the forum here recently for my CO hunt this year. Not much money, easy to store and who knows maybe it will come in handy...
Everyones favorite title, first time elk questions.
Hey guys/girls, so gearing up for a first time elk hunt out west, not going to ask for spots, just wanted to get some opinions on a few things, first, I'm gonna try for a rut archery hunt, and I'll be going solo, which I know runs alot of extra stuff to think about, any tips for a solo hunter...
www.hunttalk.com
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I like talking to guys about pack outs... then take then hunting the next year. You get to really know what there mile is, compared to yours.
Last year my bull took 4 hrs to go down to the kill sight from the top of the ridge, then from the kill site back up to the top of the ridge... 1k vert. feet and thru the steepest, most deadfall ive ever hunted in.. once at the top of the ridge. We were still 7 miles from the truck, but with horses.
Last year my bull took 4 hrs to go down to the kill sight from the top of the ridge, then from the kill site back up to the top of the ridge... 1k vert. feet and thru the steepest, most deadfall ive ever hunted in.. once at the top of the ridge. We were still 7 miles from the truck, but with horses.
sbhooper
Well-known member
Probably 3.5, or so.
