What would you do?

[NitRally]

I thought this was pretty clever. Environment and other things factor in how useful it could be, but still clever.

[Rob]

That is cool!

[2MANY]

Yup.
Anything is possible in pants and a hat like that.

[Jonathan_S]

On a less technical note. Anytime you can make forward progress and then tie-off or stabilize it in place will help. From there you can regather and try another increment. On a few elk (not mature bulls and I realize the difference) I've moved them whole an impressive amount with this technique. I'm definitely not the strongest person in the elk woods.

[trophyhunt]

Worst case you hike out for more gear.  I think with a few pieces of cordage a guy could get creative and get it out.  All you need is an anchor point that can hold at least 100 pounds and then you start pulling this leg, that leg, antlers, neck and make progress an inch or two at a time.

The other option would be to pull one leg out of the water, cut it off hair on and then grab what trim you can get before letting it back in the water.  If you kept the hide on, the remaining meat would be protected and at some point you could drag the remainder of the carcass out and get the backstrap, ribs, neck and tenderloins.  You will have a heavy trim around where the quarters were cut off if it's skanky water.

:yeah:this is what came to my mind first, leave that hide on the quarters.