Newbie Elk Hunting - partner bailed on me

[BernerPop]

Hi all,

How doable is it to solo hunt and be able to harvest elk? I'm planning to hit the Bumping / Nile area. I don't have any equipment to hang/haul a harvest, but I'm not opposed to trying to quarter it up and hump it out bit by bit to toss it on ice.

[Dan-o]

How much of a beast are you (seriously).

The vast majority of men can't do it.

[jstone]

I would wait till next year. You can get in lots of trouble out there.!
Lots can go wrong

[BernerPop]

How much of a beast are you (seriously).

The vast majority of men can't do it.

Not sure until I've tried it!

I'm not new to the outdoors, but the idea of trying to pack that much animal over however long of a distance it takes is daunting, but I'm willing to give it my best.

With that being said, I'm not so mule-headed as to ignore good advice.

[Fl0und3rz]

Spike area?  Go and hunt.  Guys got one of the few spikes in the area road-hunting about 300 yards from our camp in the Little Naches one year.  You never know what will fall in your lap, and you can make the decision if you can handle the pack out before you shoot.

[dreadi]

My second season elk hunting, I dropped my first elk 800 yards from the truck on flat land. I was a camp of one. Just go.

[stigalla]

wish i were closer id come out and give ya a hand

[Alchase]

If you get an elk, you take out one piece at a time. It sucks, but it is doable.
Be safe, and do not take chances especially when tired.

[jstone]

I shot a spike elk a few years ago. I was by myself. 3 miles one way back to camp.
The first 1/4 mile was steep up a rocky hill side. Then the rest was up gill but not as steep. Shot that elk at 7:30 am. Done at 5 pm. All by myself
Lots of work. Are you ready.!
If so get it done. Pure pain and work.! But worth it

[Stein]

If you can shoot one, take it apart and hang it up, it's just a matter of hiking out with a 70# pack until you get it done or call for some help.  It does help to shoot one close to the road or just uphill from camp, but it's been done.  What is more tricky is you don't have the margins for errors or accidents, be safe and remember you need to be able to get yourself out of anything you get into.

If you are 3 miles back, it's one day of 9 miles and then one day of 12 miles, only half with a load.

[MIKEXRAY]

I'll add don't be afraid to ask for help if you get something down. Lots of hunters will drop everything and help you get game out . I have a walkie talkie built into my GPS and when hunting alone I'll ask the camp I'm near what channel they are using , only for emergencies but comforting to know can call someone. Bring what supplies you have,  some kind of pack , gamebags, knifes, sharpening stone ect. Be safe .

[trophyhunt]

Like stein said, if you get one and it's going to take a while getting out, hand it up in game bags.  It will be cold enough to hang, even hang over night, just carry with you some lightweight game bags, parachute cord and trail ribbon.  Mark your way out so you can easily get back to your meat, pull your ribbon down on the last load out.  I've don'e plenty of lone packouts, it sucks, but when you get that last load on the meat pole or the tailgate, all the pain goes away.  Go for it!!!  You will only learn more and more each time you go out, bring a sharp knife, or two, bring headlamps, two, and get a decent pack, you want a pack that can haul meat as well as your gear.  Good luck. 

[Aginor]

Spike area?  Go and hunt.  Guys got one of the few spikes in the area road-hunting about 300 yards from our camp in the Little Naches one year.  You never know what will fall in your lap, and you can make the decision if you can handle the pack out before you shoot.

Bingo. Get out there and learn and try it out. You can make the call before you shoot


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[LDennis24]

Don't let anyone else tell you what your limitations are! If you can make it in and out with 70#'s on your back then you can cut it up easy and pack it out. Get a GOOD pack frame and the carrying is way easier! I have several for buddies who show up to help too! Don't forget them.

[yakimanoob]

Making stupid decisions and getting in over your head is the spice of life.  Get out there and hunt! 

There are lots of potential scenarios that aren't bad at all solo.  Get yourself some game bags, watch Randy Newberg's videos on quartering an elk, and think about the pack out before you pull the trigger.  If you get the meat off the animal and hanging in a game bag, you've got a couple to a few days to work with to get it out, so worst case you have to hoof it solo multiple trips. 

I highly recommend throwing some dumbells or sandbags in your pack and hiking around the area you live in before going out.  Sometimes you can carry more than you think.  Sometimes you won't know whether you have a bad knee until you've got 80# on your back. 

Carry an InReach (please.  seriously.), don't be too stupid, and have fun!

[rtspring]

Go kill your elk!  Get ahold of me, and I damn sure will come help you pack it out!  I got lots of friends who would come help.  Start of Nile road has pretty good cell service. 

[WSU]

I wouldn't hesitate.  I may not go kill one six miles from the trailhead, but there are tons of places over there with elk that aren't long hikes.

[DWP]

Next Tuesday-Friday I will be over there solo... 

[Tribal Elder]

kill it, quarter it and hang it in a shaded tree, go make a couple phone calls for help packing it out.

[WapitiTalk1]

What others have said, plus, bone that critter out!  It's silly to carry bone for any distance IMO.  You don't have to take out 70+ lb loads unless you want to.  Heck, take out 40-50lb loads of boned out meat if that's what you're comfortable with.  Good luck on your hunt mister. 

[bracer40]

Go for it! You’ll never know until you test yourself! I’ve hunted in camps for years...for a variety of reasons, camaraderie, shared work load, security in numbers, etc...

Then a few years back I found myself hunting the last five days alone...Loved every minute of it...

Wouldn’t hesitate to continue down that path except my oldest son got bit hard when he was with me for the taking of my Idaho bull...
Packed this one out solo over two days...@59 years young a couple of years ago...

[Cylvertip]

Keep an eye on the weather, be safe, and get out there. 

 For quartering and hanging, 100' of para chord and A couple good quality alloy carabiners  in your pack go a long way.  Use the para chord to anchor the animal on a side hill, or to put tension on the particular leg or area your working on on the critter.  it will make it easier to skin.  Use it to build a meat pole on the spot to get quarters off the ground.  The carabiners work as pulleys if you need more leverage, like hanging a head and hide up in a tree.

 Be safe, and take good fire start with you. 

[Dark2Dark]

I have shot a few deer by myself, but not an elk.

I have spent less time trying, but have spent a few days doing it. I expect I’m about due to get one and have a pile of work to do. I think it would be a fun challenge.

I have packed several animals out with two of us in brutal country. I think doing it alone in some of the places I hunt solo would actually be easier.

[scotbradly726]

I'm in the same boat as you! I can't wait to experience this challenge for the first time solo!!!