Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Mfowl on October 09, 2017, 11:00:01 AM

Title: Whole Elk?
Post by: Mfowl on October 09, 2017, 11:00:01 AM: So I am just curious for those of you who have gotten an elk out of the woods whole, how did you do it? Every year I see whole elk hanging in camps or in the back of pick up trucks. I know some guys get lucky and get one next to the road but that can't be the case for everyone. I have a hard time just moving them around to field dress, I want no part of dragging one out. So what methods do you use?
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Pegasus on October 09, 2017, 11:11:17 AM: Shoot em next to the road and get the passerbys to help lift it onto the back of your pick-up. A winch can also be a big help in getting it close to the road. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Stein on October 09, 2017, 11:14:18 AM: Shoot it on private ranch land where they drive up and use a tractor to load it.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: WSU on October 09, 2017, 11:14:48 AM: Yesterday I did it with rope and a block.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Pegasus on October 09, 2017, 11:16:14 AM: Quote from: WSU on October 09, 2017, 11:14:48 AM
Yesterday I did it with rope and a block.

How far did you have to move the elk with block and tackle?
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: WSU on October 09, 2017, 11:20:50 AM: Only a few hundred yards. It was timber company property, so you are never all that far from a road.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: PolarBear on October 09, 2017, 11:36:46 AM: Same here. I have a spool with about a half mile of 5/8 poly. Just hang a few snatch blocks on some trees, tie off to the truck and yard it out.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: gaddy on October 09, 2017, 11:43:46 AM: Once with a borrowed home made cart. Their whole crew came to help as well. Wouldn't have been possible if it hadn't fallen in the bottom where there was a trail out, as it was it still took 5 guys.
Once drug out with a quad, then winched onto a small trailer for the ride to camp.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on October 09, 2017, 11:50:05 AM: I know it's not an elk, but unbeknownst to me, I killed my cow moose last year about 45 yards or so from a small spur road on IEP land. We attached a rope to her and drug her up right on to the road. Of course, we couldn't get her in the truck whole, but with enough muscle, we could have.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: WSU on October 09, 2017, 11:56:28 AM: Quote from: NRA4LIFE on October 09, 2017, 11:50:05 AM
I know it's not an elk, but unbeknownst to me, I killed my cow moose last year about 45 yards or so from a small spur road on IEP land. We attached a rope to her and drug her up right on to the road. Of course, we couldn't get her in the truck whole, but with enough muscle, we could have.

We had 2 trucks yesterday, so we just threw a rope over the side and drug the bull into the back of my truck. The hardest part was getting it hung up at home.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 09, 2017, 12:01:11 PM: I have been fortunate enough to get elk out whole in Montana. The nice dry snow and down hill made it possible. Plus when it was 20 below and the animal froze solid over night it was a little easier.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2017, 12:06:01 PM: Handle bars on that sled. As long as you stay on top, all is good. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: jaredwitman on October 09, 2017, 12:08:50 PM: We have used a capstan winch on multiple occasions to take elk as well as a moose out of the woods. This thing really makes me wonder if I should sell my pack frame!! :chuckle: But seriously it takes all the hard work out of it. A hand full of snatch blocks, plenty of rope, and 2 guys. 3 people is nice but not necessary. As long as you have trees around, an elk comes out whole and clean with just a bit of effort leaving lots of energy for the skinning and butchering and also saves you enough time for some beer drinking. :tup:
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: DRobnsn on October 09, 2017, 12:33:40 PM: My FIL has about a mile of rope. We've done a couple elk with it. 2 years ago we drug one out of the bottom of a canyon up a fairly steep incline. Had over 1000 yards of rope out to get that one. Had to use one pickup to anchor the snatch block and one to pull. Drug it to the road gutted it and 3 of us were able to load it up whole.

Its really hard on the hide though.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 09, 2017, 01:07:51 PM: I worked with a guy who'd high line them out. He was a former timber guy. They'd climb way up a tree and attach a cable with the elk on a leader (not sure that's the right name for a line attached to the main cable), have the truck pull the line taught and the elk flies out of the woods. Never saw it in person but dide see a video of it, long time ago. Darryl, are you a member here?
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: PolarBear on October 09, 2017, 01:11:50 PM: An old hunting buddy of mine payed a guy that was helicopter logging to haul his bull out of Mt. Adams. The guy set it in the back of his truck whole
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 09, 2017, 01:13:48 PM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on October 09, 2017, 01:07:51 PM
I worked with a guy who'd high line them out. He was a former timber guy. They'd climb way up a tree and attach a cable with the elk on a leader (not sure that's the right name for a line attached to the main cable), have the truck pull the line taught and the elk flies out of the woods. Never saw it in person but dide see a video of it, long time ago. Darryl, are you a member here?

I know some guys who still do this. :tup:
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: baker5150 on October 09, 2017, 01:15:51 PM: Quote from: PolarBear on October 09, 2017, 01:11:50 PM
An old hunting buddy of mine payed a guy that was helicopter logging to haul his bull out of Mt. Adams. The guy set it in the back of his truck whole

Whoa, wonder what that ran him $$$

I bet that was a cool sight to see
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on October 09, 2017, 01:24:33 PM: Easy peeazy....
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: WSU on October 09, 2017, 01:38:45 PM: Here's another option I used a couple years ago.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on October 09, 2017, 01:48:05 PM: WSU,

What the heck is that contraption?
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: PolarBear on October 09, 2017, 02:17:33 PM: Quote from: baker5150 on October 09, 2017, 01:15:51 PM
Quote from: PolarBear on October 09, 2017, 01:11:50 PM
An old hunting buddy of mine payed a guy that was helicopter logging to haul his bull out of Mt. Adams. The guy set it in the back of his truck whole

Whoa, wonder what that ran him $$$

I bet that was a cool sight to see
$250, a backstrap and a case of beer. Saved him an 8 mile pack over really rough terrain and blow downs.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 09, 2017, 02:25:26 PM: Quote from: PolarBear on October 09, 2017, 02:17:33 PM
Quote from: baker5150 on October 09, 2017, 01:15:51 PM
Quote from: PolarBear on October 09, 2017, 01:11:50 PM
An old hunting buddy of mine payed a guy that was helicopter logging to haul his bull out of Mt. Adams. The guy set it in the back of his truck whole

Whoa, wonder what that ran him $$$

I bet that was a cool sight to see
$250, a backstrap and a case of beer. Saved him an 8 mile pack over really rough terrain and blow downs.
the helicopters used to wait around back when there were a lot more hunters. They made a bundle flying all the camps in and camps/animals out. It would only take like 10-15 minutes to hook up to a camp take it in and drop it off. $250 was about what I remember hearing. Could get discounts for taking in multiple camps--still nowhere near the weight of timber.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: WSU on October 09, 2017, 02:32:37 PM: Quote from: NRA4LIFE on October 09, 2017, 01:48:05 PM
WSU,

What the heck is that contraption?

It's a grapple skidder used for logging.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 09, 2017, 03:14:45 PM: A few guys I know used to get them out whole using their drift boats.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: C-Money on October 09, 2017, 03:36:42 PM: 1/2 mile of mule tape and a few feet at a time! :tup: Last elk I got was hauled out in pieces on our backs...
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: wall of wood camp on October 09, 2017, 03:57:28 PM: We usually get them out whole and use different methods depending on where they are at. The slickest little tool I have purchased is the capstan or chainsaw winch, all you do is anchor it to the closest tree thread the rope and squeeze the throttle, up comes the elk with not much effort. once you get it up to the trail or road hook onto it with the motorcycle or 4 wheeler to get it to the truck or back to camp. The motor bike can be a bit of a handful as you have to be up on the handle bars to keep the front tire on the ground
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Hilltop123 on October 09, 2017, 04:59:30 PM: I got a spool with 600' of rope and a block. Its rather amazing just how small of a sagebrush plant, you can anchor off of, to pull out a elk.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on October 09, 2017, 08:10:13 PM: My first bull we drove to it on a skidder road and the last bull came out on our backs

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Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: dewandgin on October 09, 2017, 09:28:47 PM: We have 1000 yds of wire on a spool and a bucket of blocks. If the wire can touch it out it comes whole. If not then we take it apart and it comes out on our backs.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 09, 2017, 09:46:05 PM: Some guys have all the luck. I've never killed an elk that you could touch with a mile of rope. Besides by the time I run the rope, blocks and pullies I could quarter and pack the elk out and be done.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: BNAElkhntr on October 10, 2017, 07:16:16 AM: Always hunt up hill and have friends
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Fletch on October 10, 2017, 11:02:19 AM: Quote from: jaredwitman on October 09, 2017, 12:08:50 PM
We have used a capstan winch on multiple occasions to take elk as well as a moose out of the woods. This thing really makes me wonder if I should sell my pack frame!! :chuckle: But seriously it takes all the hard work out of it. A hand full of snatch blocks, plenty of rope, and 2 guys. 3 people is nice but not necessary. As long as you have trees around, an elk comes out whole and clean with just a bit of effort leaving lots of energy for the skinning and butchering and also saves you enough time for some beer drinking. :tup:
I am with Jared! I have a winch like this as well. the winch/rope/ one gallon of gas can be packed a long ways to get an animal out. It is slow but no slower than on your back. It also leaves you plenty of energy to hunt in the morning instead of an aching back. We never got elk out whole until we bought the gas winch...
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: DRobnsn on October 10, 2017, 12:11:34 PM: Quote from: Fletch on October 10, 2017, 11:02:19 AM
Quote from: jaredwitman on October 09, 2017, 12:08:50 PM
We have used a capstan winch on multiple occasions to take elk as well as a moose out of the woods. This thing really makes me wonder if I should sell my pack frame!! :chuckle: But seriously it takes all the hard work out of it. A hand full of snatch blocks, plenty of rope, and 2 guys. 3 people is nice but not necessary. As long as you have trees around, an elk comes out whole and clean with just a bit of effort leaving lots of energy for the skinning and butchering and also saves you enough time for some beer drinking. :tup:
I am with Jared! I have a winch like this as well. the winch/rope/ one gallon of gas can be packed a long ways to get an animal out. It is slow but no slower than on your back. It also leaves you plenty of energy to hunt in the morning instead of an aching back. We never got elk out whole until we bought the gas winch...

I'm guessing you guys gut them before pulling?
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Fletch on October 12, 2017, 12:25:22 PM: We do gut them before pulling and we pull by the back legs...they drag better backward as the cheeks dont catch the ground like the nose or horns do.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Bookworm007 on October 12, 2017, 05:29:49 PM: Hauled that sucker out whole on a sled 2 miles up hill because it was getting dark and we didn't want to make a second trip. Then we fit the whole thing in a subaru outback :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: beav1980 on October 12, 2017, 05:38:10 PM: Haywire and a block!
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: grundy53 on October 12, 2017, 05:40:56 PM: Quote from: beav1980 on October 12, 2017, 05:38:10 PM
Haywire and a block!
This!

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Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Magnum_Willys on October 12, 2017, 07:24:32 PM: I know old guys in Idaho that can only get elk out one way - capstan winch. They take the 18# winch and 50 yards of rope and work their way out - I've seen them go miles. Might take all day to go a few miles but these 75+ year olds get it out - whole !
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: G-S on October 12, 2017, 08:00:59 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: pd on October 12, 2017, 10:12:46 PM: Quote from: Fletch on October 12, 2017, 12:25:22 PM
We do gut them before pulling and we pull by the back legs...they drag better backward as the cheeks dont catch the ground like the nose or horns do.

Fletch, there is a better way to do that.

Don't gut it (it will get muddy and dirty).

Tie a half hitch about 10 or 15 feet from the end of the rope (the end towards the elk). Then, tie a noose around the elk's neck (this works for cows, but even better for bulls). Cinch the noose tight. Then, thread the half hitch around the elk's muzzle, making sure the line between the half hitch and the noose is tight! When you pull the rope, the elk will come straight up the hill, nose pointed forward. The elk will follow the rope, and even climb over logs. The antlers will never snag. And, because you are pulling with the fur, the hide won't suffer as much.

It really works.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: spin05 on October 13, 2017, 12:53:19 AM: Hauled this one out of a skid road on a game kart over about a mile in last year. Bout destroyed that poor kart
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Halo on October 13, 2017, 05:12:20 AM: I've used rope, I have a 1,200' roll of 5/8" poly for the truck and a 600' roll of 1/2" poly that can mount on the back rack of my quad. I've used the quad to haul and or drag them out. We also have a mountain goat quad trailer that works pretty slick. I've floated them out with a guy on a rope on either bank and I've taken them out by boat. It's been pretty rare that we've had to quarter any out.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: RockChuck on October 15, 2017, 08:03:00 AM: Draw an antlerless tag and shoot a small one😂
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: RatRodMike on October 15, 2017, 09:38:30 AM: I've probably taken 8 or so out whole. They were always fairly close and up hill from the farm so the little John Dear worked great for getting them skidded out and loaded in the pickup. There were times it would have been easierr just to quarter them up but my dad just loves taking them out in one piece. The best thing is being able to butcher them in the shop where it's cleaner and drier. Having hot water and rags close it also great.

The farm is in the Stella unit so the elk numbers dried up several years ago. I had to pack out of the Willapa hills last year and I'm hoping to get lucky enough to be packing out again this year.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: runningboard on October 15, 2017, 09:57:06 PM: my wife shot her 1st on a friends ranch & let us drive our old flatbed right to it & pick it up with the boom/winch
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Crunchy on October 15, 2017, 10:20:12 PM: Ive gotten a few deer out whole, but never an elk. Hard enough getting an elk out in quarters.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: Tjv28 on October 22, 2017, 10:38:27 AM: Don’t bother. You need to cut them up at some point anyway. Also, you have to dump everything you don’t eat; hide, legs, head, carcass
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: conwaydave on October 24, 2017, 08:22:05 AM: Something that always concerns me when I see a whole elk in a truck or hanging in a camp, is that I was always taught and told by butchers, is that you should get an elk hide off as soon as you can so the meat can cool, with a deer, not as much of a rush, the elk hide is much thicker than a deer. All the elk we kill in our camp, we skin the elk right away. We are never next to a road and have to use a kart to get the elk out anyway. So to your question, even if I could drive right up to my elk and load it up, I think I would still skin it right away and remove wind pipe. (I never removed wind pipe before, until a couple years ago, the butcher guy said dude, you should remove wind pipe, it retains a lot of heat!) :twocents:
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: issaquarcher on October 24, 2017, 06:47:13 PM: I'm with Tjv28. Why take an elk out whole at all? We've learned our lessons over the years. We've pulled elk out with carts, poles, bikes. motorcycles, three wheelers, block and tackle to truck, and even a D6 Cat. Nothing is quicker and easier than a gutless field dress on the ground done in 30-45 minutes with 4 guys. We pack no bones out.
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: The scout on October 24, 2017, 06:51:06 PM: :yeah: even with deer. cracks me up when I here people tell me how far they had to drag there deer. I bone out pretty much all the time right where it dies
Title: Re: Whole Elk?
Post by: ghosthunter on October 24, 2017, 07:17:12 PM: We have a large camp and some old guys who have been around about 70 years.
We have gotten a half dozen elk and a dozen deer all out whole.

We use to use a truck bed untiliy trailer, we would lay a ladder up to the tailgate and use a come along to pull it up the ladder, skinning as it went. Pulling it onto a clean tarp ready for the butcher.

We also used a ladder between two trucks ,skinning on the ladder than into a truck.

Now we have a drop ramp trailer. We have got them out on game carts and wagons.
Atv and trucks up old skid roads.

We carry come along ,block and tackle as standard equipment.