Packing out an Elk

[TommyH]

If I had only one trip and had to choose then I would start with the backstraps, tenderloins and rear quarters.

^^ this

[Big6bull]

It's not like your actually gonna get any sleep leaving it over night anyways. Be ready !have extra batteries   

[Caseknife]

All our elk get quartered in the hide and hung in trees with usually two quarters facing each other, hide out.  We then cover the quarters with tree bows fully to keep the birds away.  We rifle hunt in late October so the temperature is not an issue.  If there is bear sign in the area we will pack the next day, if not, it is usually two days before we pack.  In the 40+ elk we have hung in the woods over the years in my camp, we have only had two incidents.  One was a sow and two cubs that got into one of the quarters  and the other was a cat that tore a quarter down and drug it a few feet away.  Neither case resulted is much loss at all.  My father always believed that the bears would eat the gut pile first and it would take them a day to do that.

That being said, if I ever get the chance to harvest a bull in September, I'm sure my methods would change.









 

[TriggerMike]

If I had only one trip and had to choose then I would start with the backstraps, tenderloins and rear quarters.

You must be a big dude.  Both rear quarters 

I strap one to each leg and walk out with stilts. It's a good hip flexor workout.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Jonathan_S]

If I had only one trip and had to choose then I would start with the backstraps, tenderloins and rear quarters.

You must be a big dude.  Both rear quarters 

I strap one to each leg and walk out with stilts. It's a good hip flexor workout.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Alright good one, you had me.

[TriggerMike]

If I had only one trip and had to choose then I would start with the backstraps, tenderloins and rear quarters.

You must be a big dude.  Both rear quarters 

I strap one to each leg and walk out with stilts. It's a good hip flexor workout.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Alright good one, you had me.

Lol ya I'd go with backstraps, tenderloins and a rear quarter. Not supposed to be plural.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[Brushbuster]

Thanks guys. Great responses that will help with my game plan to get the big one out this fall if I'm lucky enough to score on my westside muzzy bull tag this year. 

[ridgefire]

I have no problem with leaving meat hanging overnight. All of our kills have been at a higher elevation than camp by 1-2 thousand feet so temps are typically down into the twenties at night in late Sept. First load is typically a hind quarter with one backstrap and tenderloin and then back for the rest the next morning. Hang the meat high enough where a bear can't get it and you are good to go. We have never had a animal get into our meat overnight besides pine martins.

[buglebrush]

I need a new spot I guess.  It is rare we get an elk down close enough to get it all out in a night.  First load out on one last year was 12 hours.  Just take care of it properly, and it can hang overnight with no issues.

[fuzznuts]

I have shot elk in the evening several times. I like to butcher, get meat bagged up and off the ground before leaving. I also  get meat a little ways from gut pile. Usually take head and a bag of meat with me on the first load out. If it is dark I leave a sweaty tee shirt or hat by the quarters and come back in the morning with help. Never had any problems. As far as the tag, it stays with one of the hindquarters. Long time ago had my tag tied to a cows ear and a bear made off with the head. Told game warden about what happened and he explained  the law to me. Nice guy, no ticket but I was sweating it; I was sure he was thinking "Not the old bear stole my head story again!"

[Scvette]

I see some guys mention chilli powder,how much do you bring and how much do you put on the meat?