It wouldn't have taken that long to simply bone it out and walk up the hill with the meat in a backpack. If it's a small deer, one person could do it easily. It took them 8 hours from the time the deer was shot- I bet one guy and a backpack could have it out of there in less than 2.

Thats why we always bring the packboards with us! Me and my buddy got my buck out of a hell hole like that, but about a 8-10 year old clear cut that was thick as any clear cut you have been in. It took us about 4 hours to find it gut it bone it out and pack it up the hill.