Planning a pack in trip for elk hunt this year

[halflife65]

Without sounding overly arrogant, I probably know where you are going as there aren't alot of 9 mile hikes in the Bumping.  I hiked it this summer in anticipation of taking my wife in there.  I thought i might be able to pull it off but no way with the Mrs.   it would be grueling, and there is probably about zero percent chance you could get the meat out in September.  I bagged the idea.  There are several horsecamps in there so that is the other thought.  You go to all the trouble and a group shows up with 7 or 8 mules and 5 guys and puts a camp up next to your tarp.

I did the same thing...I hiked all over the place this summer.  The cool thing is that, after the Twin Lakes, I didn't see anybody for a couple of days.  They were probably all killed by the mosquitos.

[huntergreg]

It was something we were talking about. Thats why I posted it here to get all the great info on what others have done and gone through. Thanks for all the great info.

[3dvapor]

try renting goats ive seen them advertised on ifish.

[wrangler]

yeah this would be a put you in wheel chair break your life trophy spike hunt. lets just hope he doesn't try to shoot one in the back of the head at 103 yards again.... i can't believe we're even debating a 9 mile backpack elk hunt. but this is whole idea is coming from a guy that pulled off the above mentioned. have any of you that think this is something worth 'trying' ever packed out 200lbs of boned out elk? i have, 3 trips about 6 miles TOTAL. he's going in for 5 days, 5 DAYS thats a minimum 60lb pack if he has the top of the line lightweight gear and eats rice patties. add an elk or 2 in september? HA! jesus wtf people!

[halflife65]

Some pictures from the area:

[BLUEBULLS]

9 miles.... I'd say go for it. Think of the excercise you'll get packing one out. The only thing that stops most is dedication. I get a lot of satisfaction from working my a$$ off on a hunt. Yeah, you'll definitely question your decision when you're packing out and you might come very close to dying and going insane but that's what I live for. It's mostly all in your head....and then your legs, back and feet.

has anybody seen "two weeks in purgatory"?

those guys do it good!

[jackelope]

I've seen both their movies. Those guys are in top notch shape. Jake I know about the country that you do your "hikes" in and it's enough to kill a normal guy.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I went in the Bumping with 3 friends for the early archery,  about the same distance you are talking from the HWY 12 side though.  We had an outfitter pack our gear,  we walked in and out.  Fortunately for us we had other friends in the area to pack out our elk for us.  We took way too much,  so whatever you think you will need,  cut it in half!    If you are going in the HWY 12 side I can recommend who not to get as an outfitter.    

[ridgefire]

i would say go for it if you r in great shape and u could double the time you have to hunt nothing like packing out a fresh kill on your back as long as you r able to enjoy the meat when its all said and done

[blacktail luv]

Two years ago i went elk hunting with a buddy we were 4 miles from the truck.  Of course I had to go and kill a bull the evening we packed in, so i was already tired.  the next morning we each took half the elk and off the mountain we went, the first mile was across rolling hills and it just about killed me.  I like to think I am a pretty tough s.o.b. but it was tough. I personally could not imagine doing 9 miles.

[jstone]

06 shot a bull in the clockum deep in a canyon 3 guys 12 hours later. toughest hunt i ever had but well worth it.

[GoPlayOutside]

For the past 5 years I have had an unbelievable streak on the bow/spike elk.  It started by getting as far away from the lazy hunters as possible.  Of course, everytime I haul 200 lbs of meat, horns, and hide out of a canyon 3 to 8 miles from camp...I hate myself.  Yes, I take the hide everytime and get it tanned.  It adds a lot of weight (one more trip), but to me it's worth honoring the animal.  It gets easier everytime though...you get faster, smarter, and more efficient.
I take that back, I don't hate myself.  I love the experiences, the work, and the memories.
Good Luck!

[RockChuck]

I say go for it but only kill one elk between the two of you. then get one close to the truck on the last trip out! 

[AKBowman]

    

yeah this would be a put you in wheel chair break your life trophy spike hunt. lets just hope he doesn't try to shoot one in the back of the head at 103 yards again.... i can't believe we're even debating a 9 mile backpack elk hunt. but this is whole idea is coming from a guy that pulled off the above mentioned. have any of you that think this is something worth 'trying' ever packed out 200lbs of boned out elk? i have, 3 trips about 6 miles TOTAL. he's going in for 5 days, 5 DAYS thats a minimum 60lb pack if he has the top of the line lightweight gear and eats rice patties. add an elk or 2 in september? HA! jesus wtf people!

I really hope this guys does not kill an elk more than 2 miles back b/c he will never get it out further than that. You'd need at least 7 days to do this and you'd only get on elk at most...if you really knowe what your doing to keep the meat cool. 5 days  WTF  its going to take you a day and a half to get you camp back there! Hiking 4 miles with a pack and it will feel like 9

[ribka]

 
Access to water to drink every day and being able to keep the meat cool are big concerns in Sept bow hunt. Am doing a pack hunt again this year for elk and will hopefully have outfitter pack me in. Great motive to train and try and stay in shape though!

Have packed out quite a few deer and it is not fun. Then you have to go back in and retrieve your gear. Packed out an elk 2 miles in by myself and it was really tough. Cannot imagine a 9 mile pack out in Sept!

Good luck and start doing your lunges, squats and long hikes with heavy packs