T
tonkamuskie
Guest
How far back into the mountains are you willing to carry your camp in and your elk out on foot? Curious as to everyones opinions...
AWHOLELOTTABULL
Long Time Member
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As far as I need to. There is really no limits. My brother and I shot a bull back in several miles in the Uinta Wilderness. It took us a day and a half to get it out. One of the most memorable hunts I've had.
It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
BLooDTRaCKeR
Very Active Member
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- 2,743
As far as I need to go. I hunt until I get one and then I worry about getting it out. I'm still young enough that distance isn't an issue.
BeanMan
Long Time Member
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- 6,903
LAST EDITED ON Mar-25-09 AT 04:10PM (MST)[p]Farthest for me was 3.5 miles one way into the West Elk Wilderness with an elevation gain of 2500'. The bull I arrowed was about another half mile from camp. It took me ( I was solo) a day and a half and 4 loads to get my meat and camp out. My pack with camp was around 35 pounds and it felt light after packing meat loads. I was a lot younger back then. I don't know that I could pull that off again before the meat spoiled.
Bean
Bean
4blade
Active Member
- Messages
- 271
longest for me was about 3 miles (i think it was uphill both ways)
Me and my partner(who was sick)had to get it out quickly due to 70 degree temps...lost a few pounds on that one but it was fun!
I would agree that it the distance is as far as your body can take you...as long as you can outrun the heat if you have too.
Me and my partner(who was sick)had to get it out quickly due to 70 degree temps...lost a few pounds on that one but it was fun!
I would agree that it the distance is as far as your body can take you...as long as you can outrun the heat if you have too.
I will pack a deer out on my back but not an elk. I hunt the raghorn state, archery and its to hot to leave for very long the last few years. The first elk that i killed and tried to pack out on my back i was coming back for my second load and a sow and her cubs had found my elk. I salvaged what i could and made the last trip.
one_dryboot
Long Time Member
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- 5,043
I hunt and hike in as far as it takes. Then after the animal is down I think to myself... Damn, what was I thinking?
Really depends on whether or not you are by your self. Realistically, a few miles if you are by yourself. Not much farther with someone else. Consider this: you kill a good bull 1.5 miles from the road. You quarter and debone the bull and take 6 trips to carry out the meat. That's about 10 miles plus your camp. This is a hypothetical scenario, and a tremedous amount of work. Your work is significantly less with just one other person.
I backpacked 10 miles into the back country for elk (bow) in northern Wyoming for a week. Then about the same for early season Mule Deer. Don't see to many other people however, it sure gives another meaning to the old saying now the work begins when you get a elk down. Happy Hunting
Scratch
Scratch
G
GrizlyHunter
Guest
Many, many, years ago four of us back-packed four miles into the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. (This was before it became infested with the big orange flowers every fall.) Our camp was by Big Fish Lake at about 9,600 feet up. This was our 2nd hunt out West for all of us, and we drove from Michigan to get there.
We ended up shooting three bulls, two were about a mile further into the wilderness and the third was about two miles further in. We skinned, quartered, deboned and packed meet for the better part of five days to get them out. On our first trip out to the road we went into town and bought lots of bread, butter and pepper. We ate fresh elk steaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner for five days...the more you eat the less you had to carry!
And I still lost (8) pounds.
We parked our trucks in the parking lot right on the main road and it was full of trucks, campers and tents. The majority of the hunters in that area prefered to camp on the road, walk into the woods about a half mile after daylight and walk out before dark. As long as I live I will never forget the looks on all those hunters faces when my brother and I came hiking down out of the mountains with two respectable 5x5's on our back-packs. We were so proud...it felt like we were walking on air (even though our packs weighed about 90 pound). I still smile when I think of that hunt.
Would I do it today? Hell no! Getting a little too old for such foolishness. ;-)
To answer your question...I wouldn't recommend going farther than we did. But it all depends where the elk are I guess.
Good luck!
GrizlyHunter
We ended up shooting three bulls, two were about a mile further into the wilderness and the third was about two miles further in. We skinned, quartered, deboned and packed meet for the better part of five days to get them out. On our first trip out to the road we went into town and bought lots of bread, butter and pepper. We ate fresh elk steaks for breakfast, lunch and dinner for five days...the more you eat the less you had to carry!
And I still lost (8) pounds. We parked our trucks in the parking lot right on the main road and it was full of trucks, campers and tents. The majority of the hunters in that area prefered to camp on the road, walk into the woods about a half mile after daylight and walk out before dark. As long as I live I will never forget the looks on all those hunters faces when my brother and I came hiking down out of the mountains with two respectable 5x5's on our back-packs. We were so proud...it felt like we were walking on air (even though our packs weighed about 90 pound). I still smile when I think of that hunt.
Would I do it today? Hell no! Getting a little too old for such foolishness. ;-)
To answer your question...I wouldn't recommend going farther than we did. But it all depends where the elk are I guess.
Good luck!
GrizlyHunter
Califelkslayer
Long Time Member
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- 4,078
My initial response to the original question is not 5 feet. But I'd ride all day and set camp in the dark.
More I think about it, I may do a bivac archery hunt soon BUT I'll still trailer the horses to the closest town and stable em.
farthest I've packed one?? 6+ miles, all downhill or side hill, with a buddy. Boned the entire animal, loaded it all up along with camp and took off. Equal loads except I had both backstraps. My load was so heavy that after 600 yards, I removed the front shoulder tied on the outside of my pack and my sleeping bag. Hung em up and marked em. My buddy did the same a few hundred yards further. Next day I walked right back to mine but we spent 2+ hours looking for the other shoulder and sleeping bag cause he didn't flag it. Never found it.
Kinda satisfying experence but so is loading quarters into saddle panniers.
More I think about it, I may do a bivac archery hunt soon BUT I'll still trailer the horses to the closest town and stable em.
farthest I've packed one?? 6+ miles, all downhill or side hill, with a buddy. Boned the entire animal, loaded it all up along with camp and took off. Equal loads except I had both backstraps. My load was so heavy that after 600 yards, I removed the front shoulder tied on the outside of my pack and my sleeping bag. Hung em up and marked em. My buddy did the same a few hundred yards further. Next day I walked right back to mine but we spent 2+ hours looking for the other shoulder and sleeping bag cause he didn't flag it. Never found it.
Kinda satisfying experence but so is loading quarters into saddle panniers.
LAST EDITED ON Mar-29-09 AT 08:55PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-29-09 AT 08:54 PM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Mar-29-09 AT 08:52 PM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Mar-29-09 AT 08:50 PM (MST)
I killed a big bull in Idaho less than two miles from my truck, but in the bottom of a steep canyon. I was alone and it took all day to bring that elk meat and head out. The last load was pure hell and by then I was dehydrated and sick.. actually soiled myself. I remember that day like yesterday even though it was twenty years ago. I am too old to even think of trying that again!
LAST EDITED ON Mar-29-09 AT 08:52 PM (MST)
LAST EDITED ON Mar-29-09 AT 08:50 PM (MST)
I killed a big bull in Idaho less than two miles from my truck, but in the bottom of a steep canyon. I was alone and it took all day to bring that elk meat and head out. The last load was pure hell and by then I was dehydrated and sick.. actually soiled myself. I remember that day like yesterday even though it was twenty years ago. I am too old to even think of trying that again!
I once had a elk tag in Montana, so I put on my pack and started packing in from my house in Arizona. Took me just under a week and a half to get there, dang Grand Canyon is a mother, and killed my elk on the second day. I had to make 2 trips from Montana to my house in Arizona to get the bull out, but it was well worth it.
Looking back, I will probably pack the next elk out in three trips just to lighten the load. My knee hurt for about 10 minutes when I was done.
Is that ethical?
Looking back, I will probably pack the next elk out in three trips just to lighten the load. My knee hurt for about 10 minutes when I was done.
Is that ethical?
2
264X300
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Mar-30-09 AT 02:01PM (MST)[p]Knocked down my bull last year 3.7 miles from camp according to my GPS. Quartered and hung the meat that night. Took three trips the next day to bone and pack the meat out. I actually enjoyed the entire experience and look foward to doing it again this year if I am lucky enought to see another one. That was in CO.
I drew and AZ tag this year so after my CO hunt, I few weeks later I get to hunt AZ elk. If I knock one down there, AZ regs allow you to drive your quad to get it out. I'll do that if I get lucky again.
264
I drew and AZ tag this year so after my CO hunt, I few weeks later I get to hunt AZ elk. If I knock one down there, AZ regs allow you to drive your quad to get it out. I'll do that if I get lucky again.
264
>How far back into the mountains
>are you willing to carry
>your camp in and your
>elk out on foot? Curious
>as to everyones opinions...
I like to be able to read the license plate of my truck if it's a small bull. I'll go even farther if it's a wallhanger. Six miles is plenty for a wallhanger.
>are you willing to carry
>your camp in and your
>elk out on foot? Curious
>as to everyones opinions...
I like to be able to read the license plate of my truck if it's a small bull. I'll go even farther if it's a wallhanger. Six miles is plenty for a wallhanger.
R
RaghornHS
Guest
I'm on board with Gator...paying a guy to pack you in/out is the best money you could ever spend and will add years to your life!
On the other hand, I do understand the sense of accomplishment doing it yourself.
Raghorn Hunting Services
www.raghornhuntingservices.com
[email protected]
On the other hand, I do understand the sense of accomplishment doing it yourself.
Raghorn Hunting Services
www.raghornhuntingservices.com
[email protected]
cmiddleton
Very Active Member
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- 1,214
where i hunt its 8.5 miles from the house.
its about 9 sections and has roads about a 1 mile pack worst case.
i know i'm spoiled
i only average drawing that tag every 4 yrs.
the area has lots more area its just my favorite spot.
some big bulls in there during bowseason.
its about 9 sections and has roads about a 1 mile pack worst case.
i know i'm spoiled
i only average drawing that tag every 4 yrs.
the area has lots more area its just my favorite spot.
some big bulls in there during bowseason.
1
1highpeak
Guest
The farthest kill was about 9 miles down, and I mean down in a hole and it had to come back up to the trucks, it was HELL, but we do it again and again so I guess Im a gluttn for punishment!
We have Spiked much further, not real sure how far but damn far!
Horses really are the best way to get out an elk, If you can leave someone back at basecamp or near the truck your better off in my opinion, just so you dont have to tend horses and deal with them when your trying to kill an elk.
We have Spiked much further, not real sure how far but damn far!
Horses really are the best way to get out an elk, If you can leave someone back at basecamp or near the truck your better off in my opinion, just so you dont have to tend horses and deal with them when your trying to kill an elk.
nochawk
Moderator
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- 2,976
LAST EDITED ON Apr-05-09 AT 04:56PM (MST)[p]264x300 said..
"I drew and AZ tag this year so after my CO hunt, I few weeks later I get to hunt AZ elk. If I knock one down there, AZ regs allow you to drive your quad to get it out. I'll do that if I get lucky again."
Not any more.. you better check the new regs... I believe it was last year they changed that loop hole.
"I drew and AZ tag this year so after my CO hunt, I few weeks later I get to hunt AZ elk. If I knock one down there, AZ regs allow you to drive your quad to get it out. I'll do that if I get lucky again."
Not any more.. you better check the new regs... I believe it was last year they changed that loop hole.
DonVathome
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,717
Uphill is bad flat or downhill (unless steep) is cake. In good shape and not old and you can get a bull out a lot way. Weather is a factor.
GOod topic, I drew a WY tag and will be solo in a big area. I want to go FAR. But I need to get my elk out. No outfitters around - I am still looking for a backup so I am planning to pack it myself. I would pay $500. Happily. If it was 2 miles or more.
Luckily it likely will be early Oct so it should be cold and I can take my time. Elevation gain will be the determining factor. I may go 5 miles but if I have to climb out 200 feet or more I will reconsider. But if it is cold I can take my time and spend days.
Packing an elk down a trail, 2 miles, all downhill is cake. Packing an elk through timber, uphill 1000 feet 1 mile is HARD.
Elevation and terrain play bigger factors then distance IMO.
GOod topic, I drew a WY tag and will be solo in a big area. I want to go FAR. But I need to get my elk out. No outfitters around - I am still looking for a backup so I am planning to pack it myself. I would pay $500. Happily. If it was 2 miles or more.
Luckily it likely will be early Oct so it should be cold and I can take my time. Elevation gain will be the determining factor. I may go 5 miles but if I have to climb out 200 feet or more I will reconsider. But if it is cold I can take my time and spend days.
Packing an elk down a trail, 2 miles, all downhill is cake. Packing an elk through timber, uphill 1000 feet 1 mile is HARD.
Elevation and terrain play bigger factors then distance IMO.
BLooDTRaCKeR
Very Active Member
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- 2,743
The area I hunt elk in now is full of old logging roads. Only problem is, they're all gated down pretty low and the only thing permitted beyond the gates is horses, mt bikes or foot travel. So, our first year hunting that area we used mt bikes since we don't own any horses. I shot a good 5 point 1 1/2 miles from the gate. Dad and I loaded the dang thing on our mt bikes and walked it out to the truck. Before the next season came around, We had welded/fabricated a 2 wheeled deer cart with quick disconnect handlebars that were replaced with a home made trailer hitch that hooks directly to your mt bike seat post. The next year dad and I hiked farther back in and dad got a 4 point bull. We were about 3 miles back in when dad dropped the elk at 7:30 am. I rode back to camp, grabbed the deer cart and trailered it to the top where we left the bikes and hauled the elk up to the bike in two loads on the deer cart, then loaded the whole elk plus our gear on the deer cart and rode out to the gate. We had the whole elk in camp by 4:30 pm that same day with just dad and I. It's all down hill on the way out, you hardly have to peddal your bike. Every year that we get one back in that area, and get to use the deer cart, I always laugh as I'm hauling it out behind the mt bike because it is almost effortless. The elk weighs so much that it literally pushes you down the mountain! We get some weird stares from people hiking into the area. The guys on horses get the biggest kick out of us "trailoring" an elk behind a mt bike. I am willing to haul one out alot farther than I have but why, when you have an area where you can use a mt bike/deer cart. LOL. To date that cart has hauled out five elk in the past five years we've had it.
G
GrizlyHunter
Guest
>The area I hunt elk in
>now is full of old
>logging roads. Only problem
>is, they're all gated down
>pretty low and the only
>thing permitted beyond the gates
>is horses, mt bikes or
>foot travel. So, our
>first year hunting that area
>we used mt bikes since
>we don't own any horses.
> I shot a good
>5 point 1 1/2 miles
>from the gate. Dad
>and I loaded the dang
>thing on our mt bikes
>and walked it out to
>the truck. Before the
>next season came around, We
>had welded/fabricated a 2 wheeled
>deer cart with quick disconnect
>handlebars that were replaced with
>a home made trailer hitch
>that hooks directly to your
>mt bike seat post. The
>next year dad and I
>hiked farther back in and
>dad got a 4 point
>bull. We were about
>3 miles back in when
>dad dropped the elk at
>7:30 am. I rode
>back to camp, grabbed the
>deer cart and trailered it
>to the top where we
>left the bikes and hauled
>the elk up to the
>bike in two loads on
>the deer cart, then loaded
>the whole elk plus our
>gear on the deer cart
>and rode out to the
>gate. We had the whole
>elk in camp by 4:30
>pm that same day with
>just dad and I. It's
>all down hill on the
>way out, you hardly have
>to peddal your bike.
>Every year that we get
>one back in that area,
>and get to use the
>deer cart, I always laugh
>as I'm hauling it out
>behind the mt bike because
>it is almost effortless.
>The elk weighs so much
>that it literally pushes you
>down the mountain! We get
>some weird stares from people
>hiking into the area.
>The guys on horses get
>the biggest kick out of
>us "trailoring" an elk behind
>a mt bike. I am
>willing to haul one out
>alot farther than I have
>but why, when you have
>an area where you can
>use a mt bike/deer cart.
>LOL. To date that
>cart has hauled out five
>elk in the past five
>years we've had it.
Cool idea. Got any pics you can share?
TX!
>now is full of old
>logging roads. Only problem
>is, they're all gated down
>pretty low and the only
>thing permitted beyond the gates
>is horses, mt bikes or
>foot travel. So, our
>first year hunting that area
>we used mt bikes since
>we don't own any horses.
> I shot a good
>5 point 1 1/2 miles
>from the gate. Dad
>and I loaded the dang
>thing on our mt bikes
>and walked it out to
>the truck. Before the
>next season came around, We
>had welded/fabricated a 2 wheeled
>deer cart with quick disconnect
>handlebars that were replaced with
>a home made trailer hitch
>that hooks directly to your
>mt bike seat post. The
>next year dad and I
>hiked farther back in and
>dad got a 4 point
>bull. We were about
>3 miles back in when
>dad dropped the elk at
>7:30 am. I rode
>back to camp, grabbed the
>deer cart and trailered it
>to the top where we
>left the bikes and hauled
>the elk up to the
>bike in two loads on
>the deer cart, then loaded
>the whole elk plus our
>gear on the deer cart
>and rode out to the
>gate. We had the whole
>elk in camp by 4:30
>pm that same day with
>just dad and I. It's
>all down hill on the
>way out, you hardly have
>to peddal your bike.
>Every year that we get
>one back in that area,
>and get to use the
>deer cart, I always laugh
>as I'm hauling it out
>behind the mt bike because
>it is almost effortless.
>The elk weighs so much
>that it literally pushes you
>down the mountain! We get
>some weird stares from people
>hiking into the area.
>The guys on horses get
>the biggest kick out of
>us "trailoring" an elk behind
>a mt bike. I am
>willing to haul one out
>alot farther than I have
>but why, when you have
>an area where you can
>use a mt bike/deer cart.
>LOL. To date that
>cart has hauled out five
>elk in the past five
>years we've had it.
Cool idea. Got any pics you can share?
TX!
LAST EDITED ON Apr-12-09 AT 00:13AM (MST)[p]As stated terrain is more of a factor than distance. You can pack 90 or 100 or 120 lbs (or more) on your back, but I highly discourage it. Seems fine when your young and strong, but can damage your back, hips, and/or knees.
Weather is a huge factor. If it is cold like in the rifle hunt, then one can take his time with smaller loads. Early bow hunt on a warm year can be a challenge in that you often have to get it out quicker. Even at that, in the Northern Rockies it gets cold at night. Get the beast quartered and hanging where it'll be in the shade throughout the day and it will be good for a couple of days. If there is a draw with shade and a bit of running water the temps will be substantially cooler there to store the quarters until you get them all out. The distance I hunt from the road is mostly a factor of temperatures and if I've got a buddy lined up with a couple of horses or not.
My experience is that an average bull will bone out to about 230 lbs of meat to transport. Give or take of course. That's with the bones picked clean and weighed back home. I always guess my packs to be substantially heavier than the scale back home tells me later.
I've packed a couple of deer out: Boned in a pack and on a mountain bike. Similar to what was stated above. Hoof the load to a good trail or logging road and pedal or coast on out. I've packed elk out quartered (bone in and hide on), boned (meat only), halved on a four wheeler, quartered on horses, and whole in a pickup (only one that I ever got that fell next to an open road). If you can legally get an ATV to it, it is easy enough. Horses (trained and well behaved) are a great way to get an elk out. I'm past needing to pack it on my back to feel accomplished. One does what he has to do.
Weather is a huge factor. If it is cold like in the rifle hunt, then one can take his time with smaller loads. Early bow hunt on a warm year can be a challenge in that you often have to get it out quicker. Even at that, in the Northern Rockies it gets cold at night. Get the beast quartered and hanging where it'll be in the shade throughout the day and it will be good for a couple of days. If there is a draw with shade and a bit of running water the temps will be substantially cooler there to store the quarters until you get them all out. The distance I hunt from the road is mostly a factor of temperatures and if I've got a buddy lined up with a couple of horses or not.
My experience is that an average bull will bone out to about 230 lbs of meat to transport. Give or take of course. That's with the bones picked clean and weighed back home. I always guess my packs to be substantially heavier than the scale back home tells me later.
I've packed a couple of deer out: Boned in a pack and on a mountain bike. Similar to what was stated above. Hoof the load to a good trail or logging road and pedal or coast on out. I've packed elk out quartered (bone in and hide on), boned (meat only), halved on a four wheeler, quartered on horses, and whole in a pickup (only one that I ever got that fell next to an open road). If you can legally get an ATV to it, it is easy enough. Horses (trained and well behaved) are a great way to get an elk out. I'm past needing to pack it on my back to feel accomplished. One does what he has to do.
R
Rem308
Guest
Far enough to find elk.
