how long should it take to dress out an elk?

[jvt]

how long should it take to dress out an elk ?   now under ideal conditions. level ground ,spike size.  dressing only ,not moving it. skinning is part of dressing and quartering.
  I take my time at 3hrs senior citizen 66yr

[Crunchy]

For one person it can be a little more difficult and time consuming.  Especially if you are doing your best to keep the meat clean.  So one person, gutless method, I would say 2 hrs if you are taking your time. 

[greenhead_killer]

I don’t think there is a set time. Everyone has a different approach and experience level. If you’re skinning and deboning, that seems like a fine amount of time to me. I know I can do a spike sized elk in a little over an hour with an extra set of hands. (Did this two years ago). Again, different experience levels I would think play the biggest part. My neighbor is in the 60ish range. Has glaucoma in one eye, is color blind and has tremors. He takes his time when processing elk, but he gets it done and it turns out fine.

[Igottanewknee]

Almost 62 yo disabled hunter, with both knees replaced and 3 back surgeries. Shot a cow this February in open field down near Columbia river. I  was going down to "scout it out", and bring my companion hunter the next day, but couldn't pass up the herd of 50 or so elk. I drove right up to it, but couldn't only wrestle 4 quarters in the truck. The torso and head had to be separated as I couldn't, for the life of me, load that part up. 2.5 hours.
Had I waited until I brought my 32 year old companion hunter, probably would have taken 15 to 20 minutes.... I've seen him do it....

[Magnum_Willys]

Take your time figure 90 mins for getting done and packs loaded.  Two guys using gutless method can do it in 30 mins in a hurry.  Have completely boned out and cut off antlers and loaded up in well under an hour with two guys.

[chester]

2 guys gutless 45min -1hr
Solo 1.5-2 hrs

[Stein]

I’m about average, 90-120 min solo doing a good job.


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[7mmfan]

As long as it takes? I don't know, I'm rarely in a hurry unless conditions require it. My guess is that if every condition is ideal, probably 2 hours solo, maybe a little faster. Gutless method only. This years ended up in a creek in an alder thicket in a near vertical creek bottom. 2 guys took us a little over 2 hours to process. Then the work started...

[206]

Done 3 solo - non gutless method.  Never timed it.  Last one was huge (x2) cow and upon arrival first thought was how am I going to do this alone. Said to self, You have to do this.  My radio going off from wife in truck after a while.  What Are You Doing.  All sweaty and sh!t, I holler in the radio.  WORKING, give me a half hour.  45 mins later I hear on the radio again.  Done Yet.  I radio back, GIVE ME ANOTHER HALF HOUR.

[elkchaser54]

Anybody got any tips for getting the backstraps out ? I did gutless this year for my first ever elk and felt like I could have gotten more out . Just didnt really know where I should have cut. It was my dad and I and we found it at 3 and were packing out by 5 and in the tree hanging by 8

[7mmfan]

Anybody got any tips for getting the backstraps out ? I did gutless this year for my first ever elk and felt like I could have gotten more out . Just didnt really know where I should have cut. It was my dad and I and we found it at 3 and were packing out by 5 and in the tree hanging by 8

I usually start at the hip bone, making a careful cut along the bone to get as much of the hind end of the backstrap as possible then cut all the way forward including the neck meat. I then make the decision at home where to separate the two. It just takes time to work the knife in and out of all those nooks and crannies along the backbone. Don't be in a rush, it's not a race.

[WapitiTalk1]

Anybody got any tips for getting the backstraps out ? I did gutless this year for my first ever elk and felt like I could have gotten more out . Just didnt really know where I should have cut. It was my dad and I and we found it at 3 and were packing out by 5 and in the tree hanging by 8

EC54, are you talking backstraps or “loins”? 

[Mark Youngblood]

I am break down an elk and bag it by myself in about an hour or maybe 1.5 keeping meat clean abd taking my time

[jnordwell]

I’d say depend on a lot of things.. where is it laying, and weather is the big one in my book. A elk November vs a elk in September for archery elk 2 different creatures.. the elk in September fighting heat,yellowjackets,bald face hornets... same elk that took 2 hrs in November could take 50 mins fighting heat and yellowjackets..just don’t cut yourself and try to carry a drop cloth to help keep the meat somewhat clean..

[Sakko300wsm]

Anybody got any tips for getting the backstraps out ? I did gutless this year for my first ever elk and felt like I could have gotten more out . Just didnt really know where I should have cut. It was my dad and I and we found it at 3 and were packing out by 5 and in the tree hanging by 8

EC54, are you talking backstraps or “loins”?

Must be talking about tenderloins - gutless method the backstraps are right in your face