Solo Elk Hunts

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MeatMissile

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I'm wondering how many of you guys go on solo backpack elk hunts?? I have done it for deer, like many have, but I have never done this for elk. I will be going this year, so we will see what that has in store. On top of that I have never packed an elk out so I'm wondering what tips you might have.

Are you able to pack an entire elk quarter in each trip? I've seen this highly debated, but what would a hind quarter with the bottom of leg removed weigh. Just looking for an estimate not a debate.

Everybody looks at me like I'm crazy when I tell them my plans, so I'm just looking for tips and how many of you guys hunt elk in this manner.
 
Sharp knives, compact bone saw, rope and game bags are a must! Quarter out one side and get the straps then flip and quarter the other side, hang the quarters an debone them and put the meat, back straps etc. in the bags hanging in the shade and use a good pack to haul out the meat asap if its warm weather.

On my 2010 bull, I packed out a DEBONED rear quarter, cape in a bag and the antlers for 3 miles. Estimate it weighed around 120 lbs. I am 6'7" 290 lbs and was a little wobbly in the legs by the time I hit the bike.
 
If you bone out the hind quarters you should be able to handle the load. I have carried them with bone-in and it was a grunt, doable but a struggle. You probably can do a whole elk in around 3 trips.
 
Done it many times, seems like I end up mostly hunting solo any more. Hard to find good hunting buddies anymore.

If you bone out the quarters, you should be able to easily take at least one quarter out on each trip. If you have a good pack, are in shape and are physically able, you may be able to take two boned out quarters a trip. Taking the bone out reduces a lot of the weight, those bones are big and heavy.
 
Thanks for your suggestions. That sounds like about what I was expecting.

UtahBB- I am 5'8" & 170. so I do not think the 120 lbs., 67% of my body weight deal is an option. haha. I have quartered and packed out deer by myself, so I at least have the technique down. Now I just need to amplify it by 4 times the size!

Mulieking- if I make it in 3 trips, I will be pleased.

Elkhunter- That's encouraging. I'm in good shape and have done a lot of hiking/hutning in the area that I will be. So I'm sure it will kill me, but it will be worth it if it comes to that. I agree, everybody either wants a freebie of a good hunting spot or they are too lazy and unreliable.
 
Easily doable in a quarter at a time... My roommate from last year is 5'11" and 180 lbs and packed out his camp for 5 days, plus head/horns and half a boned out elk 9 miles outta unit 19 in Idaho. They split the load between him and his partner. His shoulders were bruised for a week but he did it... granted hes on a hotshot fire crew all summer so he's in fantastic hiking shape! Good luck this year.

Mike
 
+1 to what everyone said, but here's a couple tips. (i've never had the opportunity to solo pack an elk, but I have done a couple moose in "bone-in mandatory" units and learned a bit)
1. - If you're planning on under 5-6 miles from the truck, I would take only a knife and save the weight for food/water, keep a packed bag (or a second pack frame) with all butcher tools at the truck, ready to go. In the "butcher bag" I'd have a bone saw, sharpening stone, scalpel for caping skull, block and tackle (single for elk), rope, a silver tarp and a pound of acetic acid powder. I am assuming you're on an archery hunt, so make the shot, find some blood, mark it on GPS, empty your pack and head for the truck. That'll give you 1 to 4 hours to let him die. Exception is if it's meat-spoiling-hot - then I'd stay, gut him, split and peel his neck and rear hides and prop him open to cool- make shade if needed, then head for the truck.
2. - Block and tackle - use it to hoist the heavy loads to shoulder height, leave the rope tied to the packframe and carry it in a pocket - you expend alot of energy getting 60 - 100 lbs "ON" - and it's great for break time - pull the rope, toss over a branch, tie it off, take a break with the weight off.
3. - Get a pound of acetic acid at the pharmacy, after the meat is in the game bags, mix it with water and completely wet the bags - it keeps 100% of the flies off the meat and will make the pack out much more comfortable.

That's my $0.03, hope it helps - Good Luck on your solo!

edpre
 
Edpre- Good deal. That's some quality experienced information and I will hopefully be able to put some of that into action.

Michaelj- That gives me confidence, but hopefully I can avoid the shoulder bruises.
 
Well,
I have some elk experience and I'm old-school so I still think anything is do-able BUT, to pack a camp in and out and an elk out will be a challenge for any single hunter.

I've packed a bunch of elk out by myself but usually within a mile of my transportation. (a mile is a LONG ways in the mountains) It usually takes me a couple days not counting the day I kill.

Do some simple math: camp and 4 meat trips (maybe 3) for the elk X 5 miles X 2 for round trip = 50 miles in the mountains. OUCH !!!

At 10 hours per day it will take you 5 days! Be realistic about the distance, and the terrain, and the load, and your abilities.

I just finished a 10.5 mile elk scouting loop and it was about all a guy would want to do in a day at 8000'. I didn't have a full camp or 80lbs of elk meat on my back either!

I hear that it's done ALL the time but I find it a bit hard to believe.

Zeke
 
I killed my 5x6 bull last year solo. It took about 3.5 hrs to break the bull down. I pack one hind quarter and both back straps out the first trip. Climbed back up (3000' vertical) that night to sleep in my camp. The next morning I was loading up another hind quarter and the horns, when my hunting buddy called on the radio. He took both front shoulders and I took the hind quarter and the rest of the meat, we had it all packed out in one trip. I consider myself a solo hunter, but having a hunting parder is nice when you need them.
 
I have no idea how many Elk I have packed out. They were all great experiences and fun..and painful:)

Bone them out if you are more than 1-2 miles in.
Yes you can carry a quarter at a time unboned, and maybe 1.5 quarters boned.
Anything beyond 3 miles is almost out of reach for most people who are on their own, unless the weather is PERFECT, cold.

Advice:
-dont pack tons of water, but make sure you have a source and filter, saves weight
you have to drink tons
-Take your time, do not get totally exhausted
-Have friends ready to back you up
-have the best pack you can afford
-Cross your fingers you do not kill one :)
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-24-11 AT 01:32PM (MST)[p]I'm going solo again this year.I'm 56,6'2" and 185.I figure it will take 4-5 trips.I go up to 5 miles uphill of my truck.Meat first and camp and rack last.Don't carry bones....do carry cord and small climbing block,at least two knives and sharpener.You can lower pack with cords and block and tackle if need be.Block ice with dry ice too in my two 120 qt coolers in the truck to keep it till I get home. I keep 100' of climbing rope in the truck if need be too.Also a extra frame pack in there,just in case help comes along.....
 
Bowhunt,
Your last comment was rich! LOL! "cross your fingers you don't kill one" True, so true if a guy is that far back.

Also, With a good map or a GPS unit you'll be able to tell how far you really are into the backcountry. MOST guys hike for a couple hours, on a great trail, and think they can haul elk through the blow-downs that fast. NO, YOU CAN'T.

Again, I think anything is do-able but just be mentally and physically prepared to take 3X longer than you think.

Zeke
 
I've never done a solo elk hunt, but I quartered up 3 elk last year and everyone's comments so far are dead on.

I can haul a boned rear quarter and a skinned front shoulder in one load. I would guess that's 100+ lbs but the front shoulders are much lighter than the rear quarter. I'm going to have to leave a scale at the pickup this year to actually weigh some of the packs I haul in!

Last year we eneded up with 2 down within a mile of the truck and one was over 3 miles out. I ended up hiring some guys to pack out the last one on horses and it was money very well spent!!

Solo for a guys your size I would expect to make 1 trip with each of the rear quarters boned, 1 trip with both front shoulders, 1 trip with the backstraps and neck meat, and 1 trip with the cape and antlers.

I don't use a saw at all when I quarter and debone an elk. If you are good with the gutless method a saw is not needed IMO. A small block and tackle would be invaluable to get the quarters hung up in a tree in the shade especially if you are in bear country.

One tip I haven't seen yet is to make sure you move the good meat away from the gutpile as soon as you can. At least 100 yards, but 200 if you can.

I use a space blanket as a tarp for setting things to keep the dirt off them.

Here's my first elk last year ready to get packed out.

n_elk_quartered.jpg


I've since been told not to use the black garbage bags, especially if the meat is going to be in there for a long time. I used them for the backstraps, loins and neck meat. I guess I'll start using another game bag for them in the future.

I didn't keep the cape on that elk, a saw might have been nice to just cut the antlers off instead of hauling the whole head out, but I did a euro mount on it since I have my own dermestid beetles anyway.

Here's the quarters from my New Mexico elk awaiting packout. Here's where a block and tackle would be invaluable. I could only get these about 8' off the ground because the friction of the rope over the branch was too much.

2010_NM_Elk_Qtrs.jpg


Lots of work once they hit the ground!
 
npaden,
I have to call BS on the weight! One hind quarter and a boned shoulder feels like it weighs 500 POUNDS to me! LOL

PS: I love the clean kill site/meat pics. Looks alot like you know what you're doing. Keep up the good work and good luck this year too!

Zeke
 
Yea, thanks for the pictures. That is a pretty darn good looking kill site. I normally have my entire pack emptied out all over the ground with every little thing scattered about and my extra clothing layers thrown all over the place. haha. but thanks again for the info.
 
Shoot last year my ole lady packed out a hind quarter from her elk down on the dutton. And it was not in the easiest of places so it is possible. Im not in near the shape i was in two years ago but i hauled out a hind and front quarter out in one trip on my cousins bull on the dutton.

But if your by yourself i would stick to a single quarter at a time and take your time.
 
Great comments and advice. Most of my hunts are solo backcountry. Here's my way if you care. After he's down, I quarter and bag and hang. Then I pack up my camp and then as much meat as I can tolerate and head for the truck. At the truck I get rid of everything and swithback my load hauler for my pack which is the MR nice frame and make the rest of the trips with that. It's usually four trips if you count taking out your camp.
 
Packed out quite a few of each deer are easy, elk not so easy!! even when it comes to butchering. Honestly one other guy makes a world of difference. Me and one other guy packed out an elk in one trip once. Depends alot on the hike out and physical shape we had to come out of a hell hole and got down to making 5 steps then resting five more then resting, can't say i want to do that again. We also just took skull plate no need to take out that big noggin if you don't have too. Definately debone never take bone its bulky and heavy. end of our trip one pack weighed 131 other 128.hardest 6 1/2 hrs ive ever hiked, couldn't move the next day and I was in great shape. I recommend find a stream or something to keep it cool and take decent loads. Try to find a friend is the best solution IMO oh im 6' 180lbs.
7mm wsm 600yrd. and closer checkmate
 
One more question what area you hunting others on here might come help out if they know where your around, Ive had that happen. Became a life long friend after helping me get an elk off the hill.
7mm wsm 600yrd. and closer checkmate
 
Much, much great advice here. Another worthwhile MM thread.

Here's my tid-bit.

If it's your first solo elk hunt/packout. Don't get too ambitious about how far you hunt from your vehicle. 2 miles is a fair piece and once you've done a 2 miler, you'll have a better idea what your capable off. Some of us are tougher than others of us, fact of life.

Distance is relative to incline. If it's up all the way in and down hill all the way out, your in tall cotton, if it's the opposite, well...............someone suggested getting help. Great idea. Bottom line, you can carry a lot more down hill than you can up, in the same amount of time. So, up or down could influence your distance in.

Weather is your worse enemy in Utah. Heat and fliers generally make it necessary to get meat out of the field in 24 hours or less, especially in August and early Sept. If your hunting solo without horses and the weather is in the 80/90 degrees, you've got a mess and I think one of two things will most likely happen, you'll lose a bunch of meat or your going to tear yourself to pieces getting it out quickly. If it's down in the 30's at night where you can get the meat good and chilled and then keep it covered during the day you might get by with 3 or 4 trips over 2 or three days on warm/hot days but its risky. Remember, you'll have meat in two places after the first trip, camp and the truck. Both need to be cooled, if your going to be out more than a day.

I know a lot of folks that hunt solo and they do it well, take the advice these gentlemen have offered and you'll love it.

DC
 
I think the most important thing on a solo trip is to be prepared, both physically and especially mentally. Go through your gear, and take out things that you are not going to use. I guarantee that after your first solo trip you will find there are things that you never used. Try to eliminate them before hand as best you can. Example, you should be able to get by with 1 knife and a sharpener. Don't over do it on the extra clothing that you won't use. Doing an early season trip is much easier than late season. If the weather gets really bad, worst case you find yourself under a tree with a fire going.
It WILL hurt getting a bull out by yourself. But your mental planning and attitude will make or break a rough trip. It's all in your head. That is what keeps most people from doing it again. Pain is temporary, and your toe nails will grow back (it just takes 6 months). Each time you sit down to eat those elk steaks you will have memories of the trip. What could be better...
 
Some great advice on here. Last year I shot a cow elk and temps were in the 80's, flies were the worst part. I packed it out in one trip on the horse and didn't loose any meat, but it was very humbling and a good learning experience. Glad the elk wasn't any bigger and no horns and cape to deal with.
 
Great comments guys, Last year was my first year packing an elk out by myself. I did have the help of my trusty 2 wheeled deer cart but in order to get the meat to the deer cart, I had to pack it a mile. I made three trips from kill site to deer cart and then loaded everything on the cart, hauled it the last three miles to the truck. I packed a hind quarter at a time, and then front shoulders plus straps. That was the second elk I packed out in one week so I was fairly broke in for hauling out my 5 point. Oh, and I'm only 6 foot, 185 lbs before I take a dump!
 
I've hunted deer or elk solo for about 5 years, and every year I get better at packing for the trip, and preparing for the haul out, but never knowing what to expect, as the reason for never arrowing one is "I never saw one big enough".

After reading all the great advice in this thread, I'd have done better to arrow the smallest one I could find.

Just one last thing I wanna say: thank you all for your help/advice on this thread(and others)...I'll going out after a calf elk next week!


48696fc97cd60c01.jpg
 
why do you want to usethis stuff

Acetic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3COOH. It is a colourless liquid that when undiluted is also called glacial acetic acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar (apart from water), and has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell. Although it is classified as a weak acid, concentrated acetic acid is corrosive, and attacks the skin.
 
I just wanted to thank everybody who has contributed to this thread. You can tell there is a great deal of knowledge and experience. I will hopefully be able to use some of these tips this weekend.
 
Dont mean to hijack the thread but one question I have is what do others use to try and keep the flies away. I have heard that black pepper will keep the flies off of meat, I haven't used it but has anyone else? Other suggestions would be appreciated.
 
If your going to take your meat into a butcher do not use black pepper. They cannot distinguish it from fly pooh and will cut away a lot of good meat. I carry 5 large pillow cases and in my pack as game bags. As I am removing meat and deboning I fill a pillow case than once full knot off the end of it and hang it in the shade. I continue to do that until I am done and I haven't had any fly issues to speak of. We have cutter bees that are more of a pain than anything else.

One more note; If you get the hide off your elk and your meat hanging in the shade quickly than half the battle of loosing meat is over for the most part. I hunt archery here in Az. in September. I know what hot weather is like and I have hung up meat on the shady side or inside a tree where the breeze can get to it for over 24 hours and never lost one pound of meat. Even after I get it back to camp I have let it hang until the next day when I could go get ice. Or I would start butchering right there in camp but that's another story. You?d be surprised how well it cools when it's hung off the ground and separated.


GBA
 
Need to do it like the Aussies and tie a rope around the antlers and lift it out by helicopter! That always kills me when I see that on t.v.
I always hunt within a distance that I can pack out what I kill. If you get too far back in or the terrain is so severe that you can't pack it out in a timely manner you've not done yourself or the animal any good.
 
I agree with GBA on this one.

Meat is quite durable IF you take care of it RIGHT NOW!

Get the hide off and covered with cloth and hang in the shade and it will last for days (if you continue to handle correctly)!

If you even think about leaving the hide on for a few hours the meat will spoil in certain spots (during hot weather). Between the hams, under the floating shoulder and in the neck seem to be the areas where guys have the most problems.

It seems to me that getting AIR to the meat is critical.

Just another dose of my 2 cents,
Zeke
 
I agree as well. I had my deer quartered out last year within 1.5 hrs after I made the shot. Before I even started the packout, the meat was cool to the touch. He was the best tasting animal that I have taken and I will strive to repeat that same exact meat care on every animal from now on.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-25-11 AT 11:49AM (MST)[p]One more thing to mention is keep a pair of hiking sticks either in your pack or in the truck. They are INVALUABLE with heavy loads. With heavy loads its extremely easy to tweak a knee or ankle. With that much weight on top, you use a lot of energy just with your balancing muscles and not to mention in certain terain they're as good as having two hand rails to help take the climbing strain off your legs. I keep mine in my pack and they are so handy...

I am also going to mention not getting too much meath in a game bag if it is hot outside. Air circulation is key and you don't get that with a full game bag. I usually try to quarter everything out and let it cool before I debone it and put them in game bags...

Mike
 
I've been fortunate not to get an elk while solo but have always packed out relatively heavy loads usually with 1 other guy. I keep a scale in the truck to check the weight of the first load. I'm 57 and 175 lbs and have packed out up to 110 lbs in one trip but that much weight tends to cut off circulation in the legs no matter how tight I can get the waist strap. For me, I'd only do this much weight on a good easy trail for maybe 2-3 miles max. I often have not boned it out except for the rib cage which is often a trade-off of taking the time to bone vs just getting it back to the ice-packed coolers in the truck. For 2 hrs or more of a hike, I'd bone it if I was alone. I usually bring blankets to help insulate the coolers and use large plastic frozen jugs in the coolers to not have to deal with the water from plain ice blocks.
I'd also recommend the Alaskan game bags especially if you pack them in with you as they are the lightest, durable, reuable bag I have found. I vacuum seal them to take up even less room if I pack them in. Sometimes I leave most of the bags in the truck, then bring the bags back on the 1st return trip if I'm within a couple hrs max one way.
Another suggestion is to get in shape by hiking with a loaded pack as often as you can to condition your shoulders. I like to fill a big water jug and have at least 50 lbs. Regardless, your shoulders will feel the pain from meat packing.
I once packed my elk and half a buddys by myself as my buddy left after we got his out due to a commitment that I wasn't aware of! That was the most mentally draining hike I've encountered so it can certainly be a bit mental as well as physical! Good luck and shoot one close to the truck!
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-25-11 AT 03:47PM (MST)[p]As Clint Eastwood said "A man has got to know his limits!"

I have packed out two bulls solo. The furthest was 2.54 GPS miles from the truck. It isn't for the meek. I am 5' 8" and 145 soaking wet. (IE SWEAT!) But I am in decent shape. (I work out 5-6 times a week and run 2000+ miles per year)

3 miles is about my limit. 3 trips mimimum. More likely 4 trips. You do the math. 4 trips at 6 mi roundtrip= 24 miles with 1/2 of that with a heavy pack.

#1- Before packout, BE PREPARED TO KILL. Bring parachute cord, knife, drinking water, snacks and game bags in your day pack. On a deer, you can just push the leg out of the way. An elk will kick the sh!t out of your even when they are dead! Use the cord to tie back the legs, hang your bags, etc. A dead animal is your #1 priority and don't allow hunger or thirst to distract you from your responsibility.

#2- I leave the bones in the quarters while hanging for initial cool down. (I have read rigormortis off of bone will toughen meat,) Whatever, it is easier to hang meat by forelegs to cool.

#3- NO BONES. No matter how long you boil them, can't eat them. I can handle a boned out front and hind in one trip.

#4- 1st packout trip. Backstraps, trim meat, neck meat, etc. My hunting pack can carry meat. (No need to go pick up hauler frame) When at the truck, I grab my saw (rack only and painters plastic/drop cloth. I lay out plastic at kill site to bone out quarters. Rack comes out on last trip, as the meat should be your priority. (Some states this is even the law)

I'll attach a few pics from my last elk hunt for reference.

2512100_1935.jpg


9164100_1937.jpg


175100_1951.jpg


Last pic is a boned out front and hind with rack.
 
It is absolutely doable solo if the weather is cool/cold even from a long ways back in. the most important factor is your toughness - from the neck up... I would be the first to admit most should not try it - they simply will not suffer the amount required.
When I was young I took a rag 7 miles and 2K vert feet UP to the truck. Now one could point out that the reason I still recall it is that it REALLY SUCKED... But I did it with my dog in 3 trips, one round trip each day 4 trips including camp. Hot weather would have made it a different story.

I got older fatter and SMARTER soon after and got these which changed everything...
IMG_3725.jpg


IMG_1226.jpg
 
Kevin,
I think you should come with me on the Fishlake UT Muzz hunt and bring those Llamas as I am older and smarter now also :)
 
Don't even consider packing any bone out. Boned you can get the meat out in three trips of probably 60 to 80 lbs depending on the size of the beast. The elk I've shot tended to bone out to between 220 and 250 lbs. That is just meat. Consider the weight of your camp. If you can reasonably break your camp up into three trips with meat, so be it. Otherwise go four trips with less weight each trip.

The heat is usually the biggest worry in the early season. I carry three king sized pillow cases when elk hunting (one when after deer). They are worth the weight. The meat goes into a case and then into the pack (in a garbage bag if so desired). The other two can be stowed in the shade. Get them off the ground and if there is a seep with day long shade that is not too far off the path, stow the meat there for the next trips. Shade and moisture will significantly lower the temperature of the surrounding air. As your hiking in and hunting pay attention to the terrain. Sometimes 2 miles may be an easier carry than 1 depending on the vertical factor.
 

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