Back country packing

[shanevg]

I've never back country hunted, but I am interested in trying some time soon.  Just wondering, what do you do when you get an animal?  Do you pack the entire thing out with your whole camp?  Or do you make two trips?  Do you carry a pack frame in with you?  Do you just pack light enough that you are still able to pack the animal out with you?  Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

[coastalghost]

I think theres a whole thread on this topic in the Archery section......gear etc. Its called "Backcountry list"

[bowpredator]

Check out the book by Cameron Hanes "Back Country Bowhunting A guid to the Wild Side" He breaks it all down for you. It saves you the money and time of tring to find the right gear for this type of hunting. It is avaliable at Sportsmans Warehouse for around $25.

Rodger

[bowhunterty]

Get the animal out first. Depending haow far you are in and what you killed, elk, deer, or bear. Debone the animal. Early archery its warm most of the time so get the meat taken care of. I have two packs i use Badlands 2800, never packed an animal out with this pack. The other is Dwight Schuh pack, used to help pack out two elk so far. Worked pretty good.

[actionshooter]

Check out the book by Cameron Hanes "Back Country Bowhunting A guid to the Wild Side" He breaks it all down for you. It saves you the money and time of tring to find the right gear for this type of hunting. It is avaliable at Sportsmans Warehouse for around $25.

Rodger

+1 its a good book, I picked up some useful info

[shanevg]

Check out the book by Cameron Hanes "Back Country Bowhunting A guid to the Wild Side" He breaks it all down for you. It saves you the money and time of tring to find the right gear for this type of hunting. It is avaliable at Sportsmans Warehouse for around $25.

Rodger

+1 its a good book, I picked up some useful info

Well does anyone have a copy they are trying to get rid of?

[Vek]

It all depends on terrain.  I had a relatively easy 5-mile packout this year, on a good trail.  I one-tripped my deer and my camp, and my packweight was 144 lbs.  That load was quite rough on my feet - my arches hurt pretty good for a few days afterward.

I cannot take a load like that uphill for long, so would have to halve it and take two trips.  I hunt with a pretty big pack (6500 ci), and was able to get everything inside except horns and sleeping pad.  Your pack might be uncomfortable or unusable at that weight, and that's fine - just make more trips and move more quickly.  You're probably better off in the long run that way!

Be aware that there are some big-bodied deer up there.  My meat load this year was 100 pounds, no bones. 

If you're serious about that kind of hunt, you will bring just enough gear to survive any kind of weather - comfort in cold rain or wet snow requires too much heavy clothing.  Also, you will be willing to compromise somewhat on shelter - I use a tarp and camp in the trees.  And, do some food research, figure out how many calories you need, and put a diet plan together that minimizes weight.  There are substantially more folks interested in ultralightweight backpacking than in backcountry hunting, so much of your research on food/shelter/clothing can be done on other-than-hunting websites. 

[boneaddict]

Vek is one of the best at this.  He has done some incredible undertakings.   I'm a bit more of a draft horse, so my loads can usually be a bit bigger, but I have the sore knees to prove it.   One year I one tripped it and it was one of the most miserable pack outs ever.  It was a new term for misery.  I told myself I would never go back there.  The next year I had to do it in two trips, but the deer was alot bigger.   I did both trips in a day and that was hard to manage.  By the time I got back, I was wasted.  Then I had 9 more miles to go to get home.  Throw in coughing up blood and absolute misery, and you have yourself a hunt.  Veks advice is spot on.  Get good gear, pack light, plan for no comfort and go for it.  I've noted you are looking at the Pasayten.  Don't let the normal September weather fool you.  It can turn DANGEROUSLY fast up there.

[Snowman]

I agree with bone and vek. I've done a fair share myself self and it is a serious hunt and not to be taken lightly, but can be a very rewarding trip. Or you find that you hate it. It is one those of love/hate things.

[shanevg]

I sure am excited to try it this year.  The thing I am most worried about (which I saw that you mentioned) is the weather.  I tend to overpack.   I often take close I don't need or use, but I figure it's better to be safe than sorry.  But my pack tends to be full on the way up, which wouldn't bode well for the pack out.  I also have never really packed a ton of weight. 

I've only shot two animals (one deer and a bear.)  The deer was a small spike and probably weighted 110 pounds total, so we just drug it out.  The bear was a bit bigger, but only about a 1/4 mile from the car.  I packed out one quarter and the hide (with the skull still attached) with my Badlands 2200 and it was very difficult to walk with it.  I then had a fiberglass pack frame in my car (we didn't plan on shooting the bear 5 minutes into the hike) and packing the rest of it out was a cinch. 

So I don't really know what to expect to be sure.  I would definitely take my bigger REI pack for this trip (3800 or 4500 CI, not sure which one.)  But I don't know how easy it will be to pack my camp and a deer out with that.  I was thinking about strapping my dad's fiberglass pack frame to my pack and then piggy backing it.  Walk out a mile then go back for the other pack.  But that's a lot of hiking when we expect to be more than 10 miles in.  Does anyone have any suggestions on a good (large) pack for these situations? 

So far, I think my best option is taking a non-hunter with me.  The guys that told me about the place I'm planning to go said they never went in without two packers for each deer.  They also only went in 3 times before they gave up because it was too much work.  I am definitely planning on trying this year, hopefully I can have some success.

[bowhuntin]

Have you ever thought about finding an outfitter that could pack out your animal or just paying someone to pack you in and out so you don't have to worry about what to do after you seal the deal.

[shanevg]

LOL, yeah, that might be an option if I wasn't surviving on college loans and saving all my spare change until after I get married this December.  I figure, if I'm in college, I should be able to handle a long, tough pack in and out.  Plus, it's all part of the experience, right?

[boneaddict]

That it is.

[bowhuntin]

LOL, yeah, that might be an option if I wasn't surviving on college loans and saving all my spare change until after I get married this December.  I figure, if I'm in college, I should be able to handle a long, tough pack in and out.  Plus, it's all part of the experience, right?

You're right it is all part of the experience, it is tough being broke while in college, I usually make enough money during the summer though if I wanted to hire an outfitter to pack me in and out I think I could afford it. That is why I threw that option out there, didn't know your financial situation, just trying to cover all the options to a back country trip.

[actionshooter]

LOL, yeah, that might be an option if I wasn't surviving on college loans and saving all my spare change until after I get married this December.  I figure, if I'm in college, I should be able to handle a long, tough pack in and out.  Plus, it's all part of the experience, right?

You  have a good attitude, get your gear together and start packing now to get in shape. Life will be a lot easier when your coming out with meat and your camp,knees hurting, calling yourself a *censored*, swearing you will never do it again. Then start making plans for the next backpack hunt about a week later