I may be a lazy hunter

[wraithen]

So I've never hunted any big game. I've gone after coyotes and other small predators but come up empty every time so far. I went out into mashel and started scouting some and quickly realized something. If I were to kill something at the bottom of one of those roads it would be a bit of a pain to pack it out. The thick reprod involved as soon as stepping off the roads looks like it would be impossible. I don't mind walking the miles for this scouting, but I'm doubting I will hunt those areas due to the terrain and junk deadfall etc. I guess I'm a lazy road hunter if I decide to hunt those areas. Going to go scouting for deer areas in a different area soon and probably a different gmu shortly thereafter. I think the other gmu I have in mind would be a lot better for both animals due to less elevation changes. I'm starting to think the guys that walk into those high mountain areas and get their meat back out just may be my heroes!

[bloodhound]

on behalf of those guys i say your welcome! and we dont like to be called hero's, we are just inspirational thats all!

[jrebel]

And this is why I will hunt these exact areas...most others won't step foot in the areas I frequent.  And YES!!!!  every time I pack an elk out I swear I will never do that again, but low and behold I do it every year.   I am no hero, just a hard working fool that likes to punish myself. 

[shoot-em-dead]

Its all about what you want to do. I have a peg leg and still get out and beat the brush so NO EXCUSES. lol JK     Packing out isn't that bad if you are set up right and take your time. I know some guys that are much more energetic than I am and they just push to the max all day so it is really about how you want to do it.

[PlateauNDN]

Just do it like I did, not anymore, take it slow and easy and you'll make it out in one peace.  Good luck this season.

[wraithen]

For you guys that take elk out when you are that far in, do you just leapfrog your meat and hope nothing gets to an unattended bundle or do you have a sled to drag along. The army has some roll up litters that don't weigh a thing and are designed so one person can haul another a longer distance basically just draggin the guy along. Keeping his head up of course. Does anyone use something like this to keep all the meat together and just drag it through the woods? Might even work in the reprod hell.

[ellensburgpo]

Good post. I think it's great that you are putting thought into how to get the animal out if you harvest one. Some people seem to overlook that. Packing an animal out usually isn't easy. The importance of being in shape can't be overstated. A lot of it come down to "heart" or as one of my drill sergeants used to put it "testicular fortitude."

Learning how to break an animal down at the kill site is a huge benefit so you don't  have to pack out non edible parts. And having the proper gear is a big help. The 20$ day pack is useless in a packing situation. Strong buddies and or horses are good assets as well.

To me hunting is a total picture experience. 7/8's of it can be great but the last 1/8th could put a serious damper on it. I wouldn't recommend starting your big game hunting career with a total nightmare of a pack out. Build up to that.

 

[runamuk]

The dragging sled thingy is a great idea the other is boning out in the field so you are only hauling meat and maybe antlers....being a girl who hunted alone lots I think about this all the time and yes there were a couple holes I knew I would be stupid to kill something in as I could not get an animal out alone.....you are not lazy by any stretch you are being thoughtful

[washelkhunter]

Forget the draging sled. Its all about backpacks and if youre able to a game cart. Bone the animal out and take only meat. It sounds imposing but its quite easy to do. You should.have 50 ft of paracord in your pack. Thats enough to hang meat in a tree and help to hold the legs back while skining. A bottle.of cayenne pepper sprinkled over the meat will keep the critters off it as well.

[jechicdr]

The dragging sleds are actually not too bad.  I dragged a bull out on my own with one back in Montana.  Now, I just have a nice pack.  When I hunt late season though, I do put a couple of cheap sleds in the truck.  Dragging through snow is definitely the way to go.  The second trip in is easier with the sled trail.

[billythekidrock]

Forget the draging sled. Its all about backpacks and if youre able to a game cart. Bone the animal out and take only meat. It sounds imposing but its quite easy to do. You should.have 50 ft of paracord in your pack. Thats enough to hang meat in a tree and help to hold the legs back while skining. A bottle.of cayenne pepper sprinkled over the meat will keep the critters off it as well.

 

[WSU]

Dragging blows, even with a deer.  Cut the critter up into managable pieces and put them in/on a pack frame.  You want a pack with a good, comfortable frame.  If you get everything cut up and properly secured it isn't all that bad.

[dreamingbig]

Like others have said:  Use the gutless method and a good pack.

[Johnb317]

 
Still was plenty sore the next day 

[wraithen]

Been looking at packs quite a bit lately. Still waiting for one to jump into my arms though. For all the guys saying forget the sled in favor of a game cart... I'm talking about areas where walking is treacherous, let alone trying to get something with wheels moving for more than an inch at a time until it falls through the next pile of rotting logs.