Elk retrive
- Thread starter Rooster52
- Start date
SFC B
Well-known member
Used a sled for the first time last year and it was great. Especially if there is any snow on the ground at all.
LCH
Well-known member
Now just have to figure out how to use them all at once and you'll have that elk out in one trip..
RobG
Well-known member
I've done several elk in a sled in one trip on snow without help. A few things I've learned... I break them down - pull the shoulders and legs off but don't necessarily bone or skin them. I thrown the backstraps etc in a game bag. You should put everything in a game bags to keep them clean as stuff will fall in as you go through the sage or sticks. Mesh bags will snag on branches at and rip so use heavy game bags.
Going downhill can be exciting. I guess the trick is to tie ropes in the front center of the sled so that they drag under the sled. You tie knots in the ropes to generate drag to help control the sled. Resist the temptation to ride that sled down a big hill
By far the best sled I have used was one with a waist belt designed for cross country skiing.
Going downhill can be exciting. I guess the trick is to tie ropes in the front center of the sled so that they drag under the sled. You tie knots in the ropes to generate drag to help control the sled. Resist the temptation to ride that sled down a big hill
By far the best sled I have used was one with a waist belt designed for cross country skiing.
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I've had a drag sled for a couple of years and I love it, especially on snow or frozen ground.
Got my sled right AFTER carrying a deer out on my shoulders for about a mile. Yep, been there, done that, and don't want to do it again.
I have seen areas where a sled with wheels is actually considered a "wheeled vehicle" and are illegal on some of the trails. No kidding. So make sure you check the regs if you have a sled with wheels.
Best wishes.
--Dana
Got my sled right AFTER carrying a deer out on my shoulders for about a mile. Yep, been there, done that, and don't want to do it again.
I have seen areas where a sled with wheels is actually considered a "wheeled vehicle" and are illegal on some of the trails. No kidding. So make sure you check the regs if you have a sled with wheels.
Best wishes.
--Dana
LCH
Well-known member
RobG
Well-known member
While tripping on snow too.You must be one hell of a man, several elk in one trip
buckykm1
Member
Yep
Yep, in a Wilderness area you can't have anything with wheels of any kind.
Kevin
Yep, in a Wilderness area you can't have anything with wheels of any kind.
Kevin
I used a fishing ice sled last November on a bull and it worked great. I packed the quarters to the top of the ridge and used the sled the last mile. I've had a bad experience with a game cart. With two guys can take turns pulling and it should work well. Good luck
sbhooper
Well-known member
I would rather use a back pack than a game cart, if it is rough ground. The sled is fantastic on snow, but not that great on dry. In snow, I just pull it to the edge of a ridge and give it a kick. I have gained over a hundred yards a couple times doing that. I took out all the meat from a big cow elk last fall in one trip and I am old!
windymtnman
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2014
- Messages
- 484
Wheel mark in a wilderness area
As for having a wheel game retrieval cart in a wilderness, I think that's ridiculous. I live near some of Colorado's wilderness areas, and see the realities of what is going on there. I have horses, and love to ride and pack them into the forests. That said, I think a horse, under wet conditions can really tear up a trail. (A herd of range cattle is worse). I understand the USFS is trying to protect & preserve these areas, however the actual environmental damage you could do with a game cart is miniscule compared to both the naturally occurring damages from Mother Nature, and other types of users.
I can't remember ever seeing any environmental damage done by a mountain bike either. Even an ATV track is usually pretty minimal, however their use in the backcountry is a different argument.
That's my 2 cents.
As for having a wheel game retrieval cart in a wilderness, I think that's ridiculous. I live near some of Colorado's wilderness areas, and see the realities of what is going on there. I have horses, and love to ride and pack them into the forests. That said, I think a horse, under wet conditions can really tear up a trail. (A herd of range cattle is worse). I understand the USFS is trying to protect & preserve these areas, however the actual environmental damage you could do with a game cart is miniscule compared to both the naturally occurring damages from Mother Nature, and other types of users.
I can't remember ever seeing any environmental damage done by a mountain bike either. Even an ATV track is usually pretty minimal, however their use in the backcountry is a different argument.
That's my 2 cents.
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
After applying in Montana for twenty years, I finally drew a moose permit and after a fun fall scouting and watching a lot of moose I took a nice bull. There was a skiff of snow so hauled him out in six trips on my heavy plastic sled. It worked great but was a long day and way too many miles dragging like a mule. ('Should have shot him on the weekend when my son was with me.)
The bull was hanging out in the willows and tasted like a tough, bitter willow tree. Other moose meat tasted was excellent, so what a disappointment and I donated much to the Raptor Recovery Center. Then some SOB spotted the antlers on my wood shed, trespassed across the pasture and stole the only worthwhile trophy of my hunt.
The moose episode was a bummer, but the plastic sled worked like a dream and since has hauled out many elk. I'm not as tough as Rob so it usually requires a couple of trips or a day of shuttling for this old mule.
The bull was hanging out in the willows and tasted like a tough, bitter willow tree. Other moose meat tasted was excellent, so what a disappointment and I donated much to the Raptor Recovery Center. Then some SOB spotted the antlers on my wood shed, trespassed across the pasture and stole the only worthwhile trophy of my hunt.
The moose episode was a bummer, but the plastic sled worked like a dream and since has hauled out many elk. I'm not as tough as Rob so it usually requires a couple of trips or a day of shuttling for this old mule.
sbhooper
Well-known member
Exactly what I have.
sbhooper
Well-known member
If you buy it, consider drilling the sides, so that you can lace cord over the top of the meat. It works great.
I also like the cheapos cause they are light and will stack together. I can take two or three in alone, then have friends meet me when they are loaded. If I have to do it myself, I usually leap frog them out. The small cheapos work better than the bigger, heavier sleds in tight places like downfall or rocks.mtmuley
MinnesotaHunter
Well-known member
Has anyone tried the rollup sleds for elk? I am planning to bring a cheap utility sled, but if the rollups worked it would be slick to just strap it to your pack.
