First elk pack-in hunt: Plan/Advice

[Mr Mykiss]

I'm going on my first pack in hunt for elk in September. By myself.
I will only be camping 2 miles from my truck so food and water will not be such a big issue. I will bring potable water tablets just in case.  Also I will be taking a mountain bike and mini-trailer. I have a good pack, a pack frame, a tent and sleeping bag, all lightweight. I spend quite a few days camping in the summer months camping in a big tent so I think camp will take care of itself. Now the hard part.
I will be hunting a rather hellish draw or two and my plan is to get a big bull down. Now I will have to pack 4 quarters of elk + 1 pack o straps + one elk head up hell draw and get it 2 miles back to the truck.
My plan is to get everything quartered out and hanging in bags (6), pack one at a time to my camp until they're all there, maybe sleep, maybe not sleep.
Bike out in two loads, hang the first load (3 or 4 bags) near the truck in the shade. Bike out load #2 and head for the taxidermist. What might I not be considering?

[billythekidrock]

If you are only hunting 2 miles in I would suggest a larger camp outside the hunting area bike in. No sense in making more work for yourself.

[rosscrazyelk]

Also not sure where you are going but if its a wilderness area you cant bike in.. Otherwise good luck.. And also .
Two miles is nothing..

[Mr Mykiss]

Good point on the camp thing but it'll be a tiny camp, easy to break down if need be, camp will only weigh about 30#, with 10# of that being water and that's going in on the bike trailer. Also I like the idea of being able to hear elk at night. Probably 80% for the experience of listening to them and 20% for knowledge of whether they're above or below me at first light.
As far as the bike thing I'm a legal beagle on this hunt my friend, just purchased my $500.50 tag and everything!!

[Smokey Bear]

I would be thinking about a water filter instead of biking the water in.  If there is no water where you are going I would find water and camp by it.  The potable tablets are ok but don't taste the best.  Thats just my two cents.  I like having a creek by camp to wash up, wash dishes/clothes if needed, and as much water to drink as you can pump!

[7mag.]

I agree about the water. Tablets taste like crap. Get a good filter and use Aquamira drops for backup. The drops also help neutralize the taste if filtering really dirty water. Also, bone it out. Why pack bone? Leave the bones in the woods next to the guts. The only bone you should pack out should be attached to the head. I would also take some contractor sized garbage bags, so if it is really warm, you can put the meat in them and put the bags in a creek to help keep cool.

[RadSav]

Don't forget the toilet paper!!!  You should be able to down size your loads a good bit by boning out your meat.  In early September if you try to get some sleep before coming out I'd definitely bone out regardless of how many trips you are willing to pack.  It just cools so much better.  Bone left in an early September bull can sour meat pretty darned quick.

Sounds like you are going to have some fun   If you forget something or some thing doesn't work out right it will still be a great learning experience.  I've had A LOT of learning experience trips like that.  Always best to have them on these close to truck ventures instead of 100 miles from the nearest AM/PM or rescue team.

My first few by myself were also within a few miles of the truck behind gates on the Oregon Coast.  I remember the very first night by myself.  It was hot weather so I left the zipper of the tent open.  About midnight a little blackbear poked his head in to say hello   Not sure I slept for the rest of the six days.  Dang those were good times!

[windygorge]

be safe and good luck

[kentrek]

if your not packing loads of miles then nothing wrong with the bone in....esp if you do your own meat back at home,but just be sure it get cool fast. also dont pack out the head...thats like 30 pounds of useless weight..just cut the horns off.

also it sounds like you have the spot all figured out but id try and put more miles on the bike than my lamberfeets..take your bike 10 miles in and shoot one on the road instead of having to bail off into the nasty draws only two miles from the truck...but im sure you got a game plan lol

and get a hunting partner !! stuff like elk hunting is usualy better when shared..esp when it come time to packing meat..

[huntnnw]

2 mi I would deffinatley be bringing the luxurys of home in a big camp. If my hunting area is 6 plus miles in is the only time I backpack in

[windygorge]

My first few by myself were also within a few miles of the truck behind gates on the Oregon Coast.  I remember the very first night by myself.  It was hot weather so I left the zipper of the tent open.  About midnight a little blackbear poked his head in to say hello   Not sure I slept for the rest of the six days.  Dang those were good times!

   thats scary!!

[RadSav]

My first few by myself were also within a few miles of the truck behind gates on the Oregon Coast.  I remember the very first night by myself.  It was hot weather so I left the zipper of the tent open.  About midnight a little blackbear poked his head in to say hello   Not sure I slept for the rest of the six days.  Dang those were good times!

   thats scary!!

If that were to happen to me these days I'd probably enjoy the thrill of encounter.  Back then I almost took my ball and went home.  It scared the Bgeesses out of my 15 year old self.  I practiced drawing my bow inside the tent for hours after that.  Every stick that broke and every leaf that shuffled I quickly sat up drew my bow and yelled, "Go Away Bear!!!"  I can laugh at myself now, but man was it hard for a punk kid to get some sleep after that.

A few years later and a good number of close bear encounters under my belt I slept like a baby all by myself.  I remember not many years after that I won a trip to Catalina Island to hunt pigs and goats with Doug Walker.  One night we stayed up talking, drinking (no I was not of age yet) and throwing bologna slices around camp to attract pigs.  I fell asleep out by the fire with at least three slices within a yard or two of myself.  When I woke up there were holes in the ground from where the pigs came in and ate anything that smelled like bologna.  I slept right through it.  Scott Walker, Doug's son gave me a bad time saying, "You are a terrible scout. We could have been scalped in our sleep by natives you narcoleptic fool!"

[fillthefreezer]

A few years later and a good number of close bear encounters under my belt I slept like a baby all by myself.  I remember not many years after that I won a trip to Catalina Island to hunt pigs and goats with Doug Walker.  One night we stayed up talking, drinking (no I was not of age yet) and throwing bologna slices around camp to attract pigs.  I fell asleep out by the fire with at least three slices within a yard or two of myself.  When I woke up there were holes in the ground from where the pigs came in and ate anything that smelled like bologna.  I slept right through it.  Scott Walker, Doug's son gave me a bad time saying, "You are a terrible scout. We could have been scalped in our sleep by natives you narcoleptic fool!"

[Hunter Dug]

Two miles is a good starter.  Last year I shoot a pretty big bull and was 4. 6 miles from the truck.  It took two and a half days to get all the meat and antlers from my bull out and that was with two other guys on the second day.  No bones leave the bones for the coyotes they hold heat and spoil meat, make sure to have enough water, and then make sure again.  Good game bags are a must, hanging meat in cheap game bags is just asking from blow fly larvae. Make sure the meat is off the ground, a way to sharpen your knife, good light, and extra batteries, lots of water did I mention that.  Skin the head, or cut off antlers as said earlier lot of weight there.  Biggest thing is have fun, and dont get frustrated.

[windygorge]

Catalina Island to hunt pigs and goats with Doug Walker.

hey rad,
is that like....THE Doug Walker.  like bowhunter magazine publisher Doug Walker?

[RadSav]

Catalina Island to hunt pigs and goats with Doug Walker.

hey rad,
is that like....THE Doug Walker.  like bowhunter magazine publisher Doug Walker?

Yeah, Doug and I became very good friends in 1984.  We hunted together quite a few times.  And, I would stay at the ranch whenever I was in S. CA.  He was a great man and cherished friend.  All the wild game we served at my wedding came from a hunt he gave me as a wedding gift. I sure miss being able to just pick up the phone and give him a call.

[windygorge]

yea, you were in good company.  which probably makes you good company.  love hearing stuff like that.

[RadSav]

yea, you were in good company.  which probably makes you good company.  love hearing stuff like that.

I made most of his custom arrows through the 80's and early 90's.  Sort of a fun fact and one I am proud of.  You can still get his books through National Bowhunter Magazine.  If you like archery history and reading books they are a fun read.

[BLUEBULLS]

I think it's funny that you ask for advice....


You've planned every second of your hunt down to which blades will be on the killing broadhead. Just go shoot one on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th-13th, 15th or 16th and call me, I'll be there in 3 hours.

also, I saw no mention of Pendleton are you on a diet?

[ORBowHunter]

Pretty good plan for your first time, like the others said, definitely bone out your quarters.  Take your time coming out with meat/antlers, make sure you take the time to eat, and drink while you are breaking down the animal.  You start packing/biking after a few hours of that hard work, and it will catch up to you fast.  An important thing others did not mention, is to bring a cooler to keep in your truck, packed with ice.  Even old milk jugs 3/4 filled with water and frozen will last several days.  Boned out meat in bags will fit well in the cooler, and will stay cool while you go back in for the next load.  Keep a few quarts of gatorade in the truck as well, with some food to drink/snack on after dropping off a load before you go back in. 
Good luck, have fun, be cautious, slow and safe, and post pics when you are all done!

[trophyhunt]

Lot's of great info here, don't forget the therma cell if there are bugs. I wouldn't have got out of my tent if I didn't have my therma cell last year when I back packed in by myself in Sept. Good luck!