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.

[rasbo]

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.

the deer sleigh in the large size is great for steep terrain,taken many bears out with them.however if you buy one lose the strings that come with them,I use old ski handles with a heavier woven ropeI like to take my time and enjoy the pack out.Now being hurt,packing out with anything on me is out.I fall down to much,the game cart is awesome if you can use them,a deer sleigh in the bottom of one of the really helps the critter from getting hung up in wheels and snags....

[Rainier10]

Now that you are on to a packboard, I swear by Bulpac.  Light frame, lots of tie off spots and wide padded shoulder straps and waist band.  Once you secure your load to it and then put the pack on yourself and tighten it down you are good to go.

[washelkhunter]

Your approach to the problem will of course be dictated by the local geography and cover. a sled will work some of the time, a game cart will probably suffice half of the time, and a backpack (bullpac; my fave) will work all of the time.

[wraithen]

I must check out these bullpacs. Are they carried by any of the big stores? I can pack about 60 - 80 lbs about 4 miles in under an hour on flat ground. Gotta get that time down!

[washelkhunter]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

[idaho guy]

 I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

[wraithen]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

I'm in the army. They would frown on me not being able to do at least that good!

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

I'll have a look at the cabelas one. Where were you at 10am when I was in there?!  I'm also seriously contemplating getting an alice frame and shelf. I know those things can hold a ton. A lot more than the new plastic garbage the army issues. 

[buckfvr]

Ive had the Alaskan Freighter pack frame for years....that and double layer heavy cotton game bags go everywhere I go.  Dont necessarily wear it, but it is in my truck.

[hambone]

I have used pack frames and the game carts at one time or another its just depends were you are at last year i boned my deer out used the frame to pack out of the canyon then used the game cart when i got on the top

[wraithen]

Ever wonder why they don't make all the roads at the bottom so you could hunt up and pack down?  I know I know, original intent of the usage...

[billythekidrock]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

I'm in the army. They would frown on me not being able to do at least that good!

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

I'll have a look at the cabelas one. Where were you at 10am when I was in there?!  I'm also seriously contemplating getting an alice frame and shelf. I know those things can hold a ton. A lot more than the new plastic garbage the army issues. 

My brother and I both have the Cabelas Alaskan pack. We have had them for 5 & 6 years now and have packed 6 elk, 7 deer and 3 bears with them. I think they are ok, but don't care for the plastic buckles and the frames are starting to wobble a bit.

Would I buy another? Not sure.

If I thought I was going to hunt much longer I would buy a Bull-Pac.

[Cylvertip]

Packing is best looked at I think( as is getting out of a gut hole without a critter on your back for that matter) as being like eating an elephant.     How do you eat an elephant???   

One bite at a time. 

Slow and steady wins the race here.  Set small goals - like -  to get up to the next point you can see, or that next tree, which will break the whole thing down into manageable little pieces. 

When I am standing on a ridge debating to dive off into a hell hole, I remember that I most likely ain't going to kill em where I'm standin, so just go for it.

Remember, Elk hunting is all fun and games until you put a hole in that bugger.  Then the work begins.

[washelkhntr]

Packing is best looked at I think( as is getting out of a gut hole without a critter on your back for that matter) as being like eating an elephant.     How do you eat an elephant???   

One bite at a time. 

Slow and steady wins the race here.  Set small goals - like -  to get up to the next point you can see, or that next tree, which will break the whole thing down into manageable little pieces. 

When I am standing on a ridge debating to dive off into a hell hole, I remember that I most likely ain't going to kill em where I'm standin, so just go for it.

Remember, Elk hunting is all fun and games until you put a hole in that bugger.  Then the work begins.

Very well said.

[rasbo]

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.

this is the old freighter frame I loved when I could pack things

[idaho guy]

No stores carry them. Go online to their website. Sounds like your doing OK; you can pack for me anytime. 

I'm in the army. They would frown on me not being able to do at least that good!

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.   

I'll have a look at the cabelas one. Where were you at 10am when I was in there?!  I'm also seriously contemplating getting an alice frame and shelf. I know those things can hold a ton. A lot more than the new plastic garbage the army issues. 

My brother and I both have the Cabelas Alaskan pack. We have had them for 5 & 6 years now and have packed 6 elk, 7 deer and 3 bears with them. I think they are ok, but don't care for the plastic buckles and the frames are starting to wobble a bit.

Would I buy another? Not sure.

If I thought I was going to hunt much longer I would buy a Bull-Pac.

You might be right was packing in salt a few days ago and the chest buckle broke! I have only had a year and packed out some elk but maybe they are not that durable, comfortable though! 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I agree with most of the advice on here. Usally hunt elk with tons of deadfall and steep areas where a sled or cart would never work. If it is a long packs just like others have said bone it out. Well worth the extra time which is not that long. Just wanted to add I have used a lot of pack frames from junk(not worth the money you saved) to expensive but just bought one from cabelas last year and have used it on a few animails and it has been awesome! It is the cabelas brand and I think it was alaskan outfitter (bought the frame not the other junk) but it is priced in the 130 dollar range, check it out.

this is the old freighter frame I loved when I could pack things

nice photo Ras ...

[CAMPMEAT]

Shoot your elk/deer/bear. Get a Volkswagen hood and load your meat onto it, hook up your winch cable to the handle on the hood and drag it out. You might/will need some extra rope to make it a leap frog type of scenario. Worked up in the Swakane years ago.......... I'm not kidding.

[gutsnthegrass]

Another vote for the Bulpac from me, this is the buck I shot last year opening morning.  Total pack weight was 115lbs of mostly boned out meat and the head, with about a 3 1/2 - 4 mile pack out, it worked great.

[wraithen]

I'm not sure that pic does the pack justice  maybe a profile view so we can see what kind of badonkie we got donkin 

[oldcamper]

hit the second hand stores (goodwill, etc.) and pick up an old metal frame pack, take the pack off and keep the frame. Or go to Cabelas and pay them 100+ for the same thing.