Valle Vidal - Horse Pack/Outfitter Rookie Questions

Empty Nester · Sep 28, 2021

My son has a bull tag for the October 23 -27 hunt. His team comprises an 84 year old grandfather, 73 year old father in law, 55 year old mother and father and himself (30 years old). Probably not the best 5 players you would want on the court when the game is on the line, but it's all he's got.

We were talking about what we would do if he was successful and how we would get the animal out (3 - 5 miles one way). We will hump it out if needed but he started asking questions about people who might pack the animal out for a fee. I had no answers for him because I just didn't know. Here are some of the things that we were spit balling.

1 Are their people who provide this type of service?
2 Do you have to arrange for this service ahead of the hunt or are there people in the campgrounds who you could approach and ask?
3 What would one expect to pay for this service?
4 What happens if you arrange ahead of time but don't kill?
5. Does the elk need to be quartered or does the packer do that so that it is done the way they want it?

I'm sure that I've forgotten something important.....but that's all I can think of for now.

For those that can provide information your response would be greatly appreciated.

Tim
Empty Nester

nmhntr · Sep 28, 2021

Sounds like you-all will have good family time successful or not.

I personally don’t know about packers in the area. Have you thought about hunting closer to the roads? Is there a particular area you are trying to get into?

Empty Nester · Sep 28, 2021

Thanks for the reply

I had the same tag last year and found that you need to get off the road more than a mile to be successful (that’s my experience not necessarily the rule)

September has had two bow hunts and then there is a 5 day muzzleloader followed by a 5 day rifle hunt still to come. The animals will be stirred up by our hunt.
Since this is a lifetime hunt I’m willing to go all in to try and be successful.

let me give props to my dad (83 last year). I was in 3.5 miles when I killed. When I got back to camp, I told him that I had killed an elk and that I needed his help. The next day he “slowly” hiked in and quartered that elk while my son, wife and I humped it out. I don’t think he has it in him to do it two years in a row

Hopefully someone on this forum will be able to help with some information.

Tim
Empty Nester

RoughCountry · Sep 28, 2021

Call some outfitters in that area and ask if they would pack your bull out or if they know of anyone that would. Ask anyone you see that have horses parked at a trail head or anywhere.

You need to quarter the bull and put it in game bags then tie them to branches up off the ground if they are going to stay in the forest all night. A lot of people that hire a packer still carry the antlers out their selves so if the horse gets hung up in trees he doesn’t bust them up. Ask the horse owner about that.

If you kill one in a hell hole you will probably have to hump it up to where horses can get to it. The cost for packing a bull out will be anywhere from $500 to $800

Empty Nester · Sep 28, 2021

Thanks for the advice

Tim

Reuben_Soady · Sep 29, 2021

When we were up there in 2014 with Tega/USO there were also several other outfits with horses in both campgrounds. If you put one down you **could** just prowl around the campgrounds asking nicely. I would make phone calls to plan ahead. Otherwise RC is right on: Usually, a "packer" supplies livestock and packs and runs them, you do everything else. You might be able to negotiate other services.

UpToNoGood · Sep 29, 2021

For about $150 you can get a game cart from Cabelas. Quarter the prize on a tarp where it lies and cart it out.

Toro · Sep 30, 2021

I've hunted and been in the VV numerous times for family and friend hunts. I'm a "local", from the Questa area and know the game in the VV pretty well. I have several friends that take time off and just hang out in the VV with their horses and do packing for cash. Atmosphere in the campgrounds is usually fun and friendly. Roam the campgrounds when you get to the area and start to visit those with horses and you'll find that most are waiting for that connection and you can make some pre-arrangements should you kill. I'd bring some "adult beverages" to offer just in case lol. If you do kill and have your animal quartered and ready for pick up, it tends to be a lot easier for a packer and a bit cheaper. Cash money will be key as well. Good Luck, I'll be up there in 2weeks for muzzleloader with the son in law. As far as cost goes, its going to depend on location, and how much work is entailed in getting it out. If he's quartered, bagged and hanging you're ahead of the game. I've handed a packer my gps and a bottle of crown royal and he was back in an hour with my bull! but i did know the guy pretty good! Good Luck.

Empty Nester · Sep 30, 2021

Thanks for all the information

I talked with Gil Teyfoya (met him last year) and he will be in the Valle Vidal and will help if we are successful

good luck to all

tim

Toro · Oct 3, 2021

Good choice, Gil is always in the VV ready to pack. Good luck ?

freaknasty · Oct 3, 2021

Your best bet is to talk to folks in camp that have horses or the locals that go hang out, like Toro said, most folks are more than willing to help out. I've guided with tega for many years but we don't have any hunts in there this year (UNFORTUNATELY).
I've been in camp on personal hunts (my wife's) when she killed tega lent me the horses to pack it out, in turn I packed his hunters elk out for him so he could take out another client, worked out great spent 4 days on horse back packing out elk in the one of the most beautiful places. I go as often as possible.
Good luck

post em up and I wish I were there