Post by: treeclimber2852 on August 25, 2016, 07:07:09 AM
Post by: bracer40 on August 25, 2016, 07:13:03 AM
Post by: Bob33 on August 25, 2016, 07:22:21 AM
Post by: jackmaster on August 25, 2016, 07:24:57 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 25, 2016, 07:35:03 AM
Post by: Fish4Fun on August 25, 2016, 07:39:37 AM
Post by: treeclimber2852 on August 25, 2016, 07:52:00 AM
Post by: Mudman on August 25, 2016, 07:59:05 AM
Post by: White Pass Outfitters on August 25, 2016, 08:07:25 AM
Bet $ you could hike a good trail much faster than bushwacking a shorter route. I know it takes more time and effort to hack thru the woods. No thanks. Beside what if there is an obstacle, creek, cliff, etc. you encounter? Then what? No, trail of a couple miles isn't too bad. Of course the terrain is the deciding factor but I see bushwacking as not a poke in the woods but rather a brush filled mess and not knowing whats coming next 50ft in front of you. As for hunters, well if an animals down they are second fiddle. We responsible to recover animal to best ability.I have to agree sometimes the longer route is faster if you are hiking out on a trail, Not easy with a six point bull on your back hiking through the brush in the dark.
Post by: ELKBURGER on August 25, 2016, 08:11:48 AM
Post by: treeclimber2852 on August 25, 2016, 08:24:33 AM
Most likely you will blast out the herd once you get yours on the ground. Then you have the quartering out and loading packs. This takes time and if its morning, you're starting your pack out late am or noon. If you get your elk down in the late afternoon, you're packing out in the dark. Either way, any hunter you run into aren't likely to find any elk in the area you've already scored in. My :twocents: Good Luck, I hope you get to find out!
Thanks. Me too. It's a good spot and I've gone in both ways...the cross country way is a lot of log hopping, but it isn't too bad. I've got elk on camera consistently every day so, hopefully they play along.
Post by: fireweed on August 25, 2016, 08:24:54 AM
Bet $ you could hike a good trail much faster than bushwacking a shorter route. I know it takes more time and effort to hack thru the woods. No thanks. Beside what if there is an obstacle, creek, cliff, etc. you encounter? Then what? No, trail of a couple miles isn't too bad. Of course the terrain is the deciding factor but I see bushwacking as not a poke in the woods but rather a brush filled mess and not knowing whats coming next 50ft in front of you. As for hunters, well if an animals down they are second fiddle. We responsible to recover animal to best ability.
I absolutely agree--2-3 mile trail is usually a highway compared to what anyone would describe as a bushwack. Have done both and unless the cross country route is a no-brainer, take the trail.
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 25, 2016, 08:55:08 AM
Post by: treeclimber2852 on August 25, 2016, 08:59:25 AM
I just hope you get the chance to have to make the decision! :tup:
Yeah...that would be a great dilemma to have...which way to go to get the meat out (and where's the nearest cold beer).
Post by: KFhunter on August 25, 2016, 09:06:33 AM
Post by: Fish4Fun on August 25, 2016, 09:12:08 AM
I'd stash a cart before the season and take the trail
This is exactly what we do in our camp, we have 2 or 3 carts 2 miles in and then if needed they are already in the area. Works pretty slick the many times we have got animals down.
Post by: 206dawgfan on August 25, 2016, 10:59:36 PM
Post by: jackelope on August 25, 2016, 11:08:55 PM
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on August 26, 2016, 01:06:55 AM
Most likely you will blast out the herd once you get yours on the ground. Then you have the quartering out and loading packs. This takes time and if its morning, you're starting your pack out late am or noon. If you get your elk down in the late afternoon, you're packing out in the dark. Either way, any hunter you run into aren't likely to find any elk in the area you've already scored in. My :twocents: Good Luck, I hope you get to find out!
Thanks. Me too. It's a good spot and I've gone in both ways...the cross country way is a lot of log hopping, but it isn't too bad. I've got elk on camera consistently every day so, hopefully they play along.
Log hopping with an elk on your back would not be easy. I'd be willing to bet that walking the trail would be a quicker route than cutting throw some windfalls. You could always time yourself without meat on your back to see. Walking a trail with meat wouldn't be much difference then without. Shortcut through the windfalls is a different story.
Post by: Jpmiller on August 26, 2016, 06:43:38 AM
Even if it is quicker I guarantee it is easier to use the trail and when facing the very tiring prospect of getting an elk out easy is better. Easy and quick is best. I am never upset when I see someone hauling out game and it's possible you might get a volunteer to help.
Post by: elkfins on August 26, 2016, 03:08:46 PM
Wait... that never happens.
Hiking a well made path with a heavy load on your back will be much faster and easier than bush wacking.
Post by: Old Man Yager on August 27, 2016, 07:01:26 PM
Post by: pd on August 27, 2016, 10:17:33 PM
Post by: csaaphill on August 28, 2016, 12:03:53 AM
Post by: UBA on August 28, 2016, 01:02:46 AM
Post by: Okanagan on August 28, 2016, 06:54:56 AM
Just reread your original post. If you KNOW the shortcut is easy going with a pack full of meat, take it!
Re long round trips packing meat: Another option is to leapfrog packs of meat in short stages rather than make long carries full or empty. Boned out meat in sack sizes that will slip inside your pack bag make this easy. That gives you short hauls of heavy weight with short returns empty to rest. You never leave your meat for long so there is less chance of a bear claiming it, and you arrive at your rig with all of your meat without facing a long round trip to get more. Stages for me range from 50 yards on miserable steep ground to 1/3 of a mile on easy going.
Another pack attachment option is to tie a loop on the top corners of a meat sack or quarter and slip the loops over the top corner extensions of a frame pack. Easy on and easy off without any more tying and untying, etc.