High hunt question

[quackkiller]

Ok so a couple buddies and I are in a debate....
Would you yes or no have 1 mule in camp usually go about 5-7 miles deep and hunt from there... is it worth it? Or just another issue to worry about the mule the whole time??

[bkaech]

Depends on how much stuff you want to bring, how strong you (and hunting group) are, and how much you like taking care of animals. Some people really enjoy taking care of animals (mules/horses and such) others like me don't want to deal with it. Some people want to bring lots of stuff to be comfortable, more stuff means pack animals are good. I prefer less stuff, lighter loads and to stay mobile. It all depends on how and what you want. I think if you bring one mule, might as well bring two and you can carry in anything you like. But as for me, I would rather stay lighter and mobile and not have to deal with taking care of a pack animal. But it is all personal preference, you and your buddies may differ on your personal preference.

[quackkiller]

So we’re all on the fence... I’ve hunted both ways but with animals it’s always been a pack string. We’re purdy tough guys, where we usually hunt in Idaho it’s 13 miles at about 9400’ and only 4 miles as a crow flys from where we park to camp. But have a wall tent. We’re going to be doing the deer high hunt here this year instead so that means packing in food and a tent and all of that stuff I know we can do it no problem with no animals but was just curious of having one pack animal... only thing is I’m nervous about packing meat out fast. There is a locker about 45 min from the trailhead if we leave fast but still always makes me nervous if we cannot get meat out quickly especially if it’s day one if that makes sense...

[HighCountryHunter88]

If I had a reliable mule, bet your behind he’d be up there with me

[JimmyHoffa]

So we’re all on the fence... I’ve hunted both ways but with animals it’s always been a pack string. We’re purdy tough guys, where we usually hunt in Idaho it’s 13 miles at about 9400’ and only 4 miles as a crow flys from where we park to camp. But have a wall tent. We’re going to be doing the deer high hunt here this year instead so that means packing in food and a tent and all of that stuff I know we can do it no problem with no animals but was just curious of having one pack animal... only thing is I’m nervous about packing meat out fast. There is a locker about 45 min from the trailhead if we leave fast but still always makes me nervous if we cannot get meat out quickly especially if it’s day one if that makes sense...

You can keep the meat shaded during the day and hike it out at night to keep it cool.  If it isn't raining, it shouldn't be an issue.  I kind of agree with the earlier post, if you're already going through the effort of one mule, might just take a few.

[Bill W]

we backpacked our boned out meat the night before and put it on the floor of the truck with a tarp over it.  Backpacked the rest of the gear out early the next morning and drove home.  One tip, take along a small canister of black pepper to shake over the cheesecloth.  It helps keep the flies off.

Another tip, take along some bacon and an onion for liver and onions the day after the harvest.