Packing out elk on your saddle horses

[2rocky]

With the increase in Grizzley bears in the part of Wyoming I hunt, I'm more interested in packing out a down elk the same day rather than making the trip back to base camp for two packhorses, and packing it out the next day.

I've had a hunting partner suggest using Saddle panniers Like in the picture below.

Now I'm a Decker packer, and I like my Manties and sling ropes...so this seems like blasphemy to me. Any of you used these suckers? How do you feel about them? What are the alternatives?

 

[NMPaul]

I bought one but have not used it. It was cheap and i thought it a good option. Typically where i hunt i dont use horses to hunt with.

I do own 3 horses and have thought if i ever shot one way back there i could use the horses. It seems what i always end up doing is either boning it out and carrying it out in a back pack or going home and getting the quads and getting close.

To answer your question, i would roll it up put it on the back of your saddle horse and give it a try. let us know how it works.

 

[LuckyFool]

I have been interested in the same packs. Where can you get them and what is the cost?

Thanks for posting this topic. I have been looking for these for awhile.

LuckyFool

 

[Phantom Hunter]

We have used them for years. I roll it up and put it in my cantle bag while hunting. When we get an elk down, we remove the shoulder and hams, then bone the rest. I use 4 meat bags per elk. A shoulder and neck/rib trimmings in a bag and a ham and backstrap/tendrloin in a bag. Repeat other side. I then load a front quarter bag on each side of the pannier, and a ham quarter bag on each side of another pannier. Walk out leading the horses. Last year I was mad at my horse for acting up and made him carry a whole mule deer in the panniers with me in the saddle. Didn't slow him down much. Good luck.

Phantom Hunter

 

[Phantom Hunter]

I just looked at the pics in your post again. Our panniers don't have the lid. We also add a third strap in the middle so we can cinch everything up tight. Have packed camp in about 10 miles with them before too.

Phantom Hunter

 

[littlecaseof200itus]

Yeah they aint half bad, we used them up in the Bob Marshall for years! Give em a shot!

 

[we_B_huntin]

I was lucky enough to meet a guy a few years ago who had some of these and helped me pack an elk out. I now own some. They work great.

 

[springbear]

I have a set as well, but i use them mostly as back up. it sounds to me that is what you we be using them for as well. When you need that extra load worth of what ever or time is an issue like you said. I am not a big fan of them; however I can not really say to many bad things about them. with light stuff, it is easie to get them very bulky, and then add in a top pack and you got a hell of looking load. They also seemed to move around a bit, and well should be since they are on a riding saddle and not a pack saddle..

They are cheap (compared to decker saddle)
Light will fit rolled up under you rain coat
for what you have described as your need, I think they would work well.

 

[WYhunter]

I have packed elk out using all sorts of methods. I have used the saddle panniers before. If you quarter an elk and load the two hinds on one horse and the two fronts on the other horse they work fine. Just remember the phrase front to front and back to back. Namely, load the front quarters with the front foward. Load the hind quarters with the back to the back. They haul 100% better that way and are alot easier on the horse. Buy the better quality heavy duty panniers and they will last for years.

An old timer taught me as a boy to haul elk on just your saddle. I normally haul elk back to camp on just my saddle and then switch to pack saddles when I am ready to leave the spike camp for the truck. You cut the elk in half between the 2nd and third ribs. Then you split the elk with an axe down the back bone. You end up with the two quarters connected by the hide. You and a buddy then put a half each on your saddles hide down. Cut a slit in the hide for the saddle horn and another slit for the cantle. The quarters will hang down each side of the horse by the hide. I have packed many an elk for miles that way leading my saddle horse back to camp to save the round trip to camp to get pack horses. You can transfer each half to a pack tree and haul them the rest of the way out with the two holes you cut fitting over the tree forks and never use any type of pannier.
WYHunter

 

[bowedark]

LAST EDITED ON May-18-07 AT 09:07PM (MST)[p]I also keep them rolled up and tied behind the saddled. I also use saddled britching and a breast coller . It save a lot of time not have to go get the pack saddle. This 1 is carrying 2 hind quarters the head not cape out & 381" of antler in one trip. No Guides On Public Land Nonresident with bow

 

[Packout]

We bone the whole elk into game bags and pack it off in one set / on one horse. A boned mature bull will be around 220-250 lbs of boned meat. Add the head and cape and the horse will be carrying close to 300 lbs. A big, strong horse can handle that back to camp. Just make sure you have a good blanket, a breast collar on the saddle and cinch it up tight. We also carry a small set of scales (berkley digital) and distribute the weight to keep it all equal.

 

[peanut]

We always use the saddle panniers also, very convenient. Allows you to ride until you need to pack, then boom you are ready to go. We skin our animals right away and put the quarters, meat into game bags. We hunt in the cedars and by the time we get to camp, there are some berries and twigs in the panniers. The meat bags keep the meat clean. I keep the legs bone in and bone out the rib cage and backbone and leave it behind. One horse one elk one trip no problem.

 

[PleaseDear]

When I hunt with my dad or vice-a-versa and use his horses he has had those type roll up panniers for years.

You can buy 2 sets/horses and if your hunting with someone you have a complete boned out elk packed and off the mountain that very harvest day.

Yes, lots of hiking to get out but it would addres your grizzz country concern.

Robb

 

[huntnbill]

Yea, we use them every year. Like everybody who posted I roll them up behind my saddle or put them in my cantle bag. They work great and are durable enough to get you out when going all the way back to camp is not an option. We use the ones on your bottom picture from Outfitterssupply.com. I have the plastic inserts for the panniers but really have not been able to use them. You will save yourself a couple of bucks by not buying them. Good luck!
Huntnbill

 

[canhunter]

Yes, we have the orange ones bought from Cabelas. Used to drag a pack horse along with us every day. Now we just walk them out with the horses. One person ends up walking with the rear quarters but you can ride with the front quarters. A big bull will require two to walk but your done in one trip. Now the pack horse gets ridden or stays at camp.

 

[Bayles]

Someone asked about the price. I can pick them up for $77 to $116, depending on material and cover flaps. Price does not include shipping.

I haven't used them for elk (no grizzlies down here). I have pack lots of deer with them and usually still ride the horse/mule out.

 

[ktc]

i will also confirm the value of saddle panniers. quarter using the gutless method to discard extra pounds. we load the hinds on one horse, the fronts, loins and antlers on the other. i have owned mine for 17+ years and they are good as new.

 

[kicker]

Yep we use them too. Sure are handy to stow away until it's gutin' time. Hold's everything in real tight and will survive those unexpected rodeos down the mtn.

Kicker

 

[TK]

They work great. We have packed numerous Elk off the mountain over the years and we are still using them. Bought them from Cabelas. No complaints here.

 

[Califelkslayer]

Like said before the Outfitters Supply ones don't need the inserts for packing out game, just the panniers. I have several types and like the heavier canvas ones the best for packing out elk but not as good for rolling up behind your saddle.

I don't own a pack saddle but have packed 3 horses 12 miles into the Rubys, 10 miles into the Unitas, hunted all over with them tied behind the saddle and packed 30+ elk with them. Also like said before, double cinches, breast collar, perfectly even loads=no problems.

My buddies had a blow-up every year cause they were packing out neck bone and there is no way other than hauling out rocks to have a even load that way. Their load would shift and the horse would blow. Brought one of my panniers back with new stiching all over it. I quarter at the hip and shoulder, cut out the backstraps and trim the neck/rib meat. (everything goes in meat bags) Been said that a coyote would starve on whats left and not a single blowup in the last 30+ we've packed. If you pack a whole elk out on one animal, back quarters in front, front quarters in back. Tie the hocks tight over the the top of the saddle. The panniers should allow you to tighten them up so the weight is on the saddle and not the ribs. If availible, have a partner lift the pannier with the elk in it as you tighten and then repeat on the other side.

 

[ForkWest]

I use them and love them, but I've noticed they do chew up the leather on you saddle back/horn a little bit. Just something to be aware of.

 

[Chesterwyo]

Instead us using the saddle paniers you can cut the elk in half then use a hatchet to cut the spine in half down the middle and cut a hole in the hide and slide it over the saddle horn. The half an elk stays on there pretty good.I've done it that way a lot of times

 

[MulePacker]

If you understand deckers why dont you just carry your manties and sling ropes rolled behind your saddle. When you shoot your elk just use the cantle and saddle horn as your D's and then make a basket or barrel sling for quarters and tie them on?

I have used this method many times. I seldom pack the manties just the ropes, although your saddle will get a little messy.

 

[2rocky]

Mule packer,

That has been my assertion with my partners. I was curious if anyone else had done that and liked it better than the panniers. I always was a little concerned that the rope would pop off of the cantle. but I reckon the rear saddle strings tied down to the Rear Cinch ring would keep the Ropes down where they belong.

I'm curious what set up I could rig on the cinches fro a ring to run a "crow's foot" to, after I do my Basket or Barrel Hitch. Any Ideas?

One of these Evenings I'll experiment with a couple of straw bales.

 

[MulePacker]

I have never had a problem with the ropes coming off on a sadlde with a rolled cantle. I have ran the rope through the d-ring (offside) to keep it from slipping but it makes for some hard pulling and centering issues. The key is to get it tight. If I were to use this method much I would cut a few lengths of hose to protect the saddle from rope burns. As far as a cincha I would just swap out to a regular decker pack cinch with a cargo ring when planning on using a crows foot. I usually trail pack animals and tie them off near my hunting area. I only use a riding saddle when I don't have room to haul pack animals. With a little practice you should be able to get a system that works.

 

[FATDOWG]

LAST EDITED ON May-24-07 AT 11:21AM (MST)[p]We packed this bull out last year using those packs over the saddle. We just roll them up behind the saddle.

 

[Gator]

LAST EDITED ON May-26-07 AT 09:56AM (MST)[p]Now I have seen that a lot of times just like Fatdowgs photo. It works pretty dang good in a pinch, It one of the prefered method of hauling without a packsaddle or a packhorse.

 

[deadI]

We have been using them for years. They work great. Nice thing is you can take and roll them up behind you, if you get something down, then you have it ready to be used. If not ohwell the horse aint going to mind the pound that they weigh.

DeadI/Jared

 

[NORKALNIMROD]

2rocky,
Like Califelkslayer stated,you can brink a small bull out in one trip with one horse if you do it right. We have done it many times. A big bull takes two horses if done the way Calif explained. If you have experience packing you know balance is the key to everything. A pound one way or the other will cause problems down the trail! The saddle panniers described work great. Like Calif stated, be sure not to put too much weight on the horses ribs, it makes it real hard for them to breath.
Norkalnimrod