Packing out the meat

[jrode101]

Just wondering what everyone uses to get their meat out with.  On public land is it legal to use a sled?

[ICEMAN]

Packboards.

[boneaddict]

Nimrod packboard and my two legs.

Can't imagine why a sled would be illegal.  I used a bike cart once, desighned to haul kids.  It works great.

[bobcat]

I think I'll be using my Eberlestock pack this year. Unless we take the easy way out and hire a packer to come in and pack our elk out on horses.  

I'm pretty sure my pack will be getting some use though, either in Washington or Oregon. I don't drag animals out anymore. Tried that a couple of times, but it's been 15 to 20 years since I've been dumb enough to do it that way.

What sort of sled are you thinking of? I don't see why they wouldn't be legal. With snow it sure would be a good way to go.

[Cougeyes]

For deer we use large frame backpacks and bone the meat out.  Dragging it is too hard and would ruin more meat and hide that way.  For elk depending on where we shoot them we usually use horses.

[ICEMAN]

Oops, almost forgot..., only shoot uphill...

[wannahunt]

I use a cart or a pack frame depending on the terrain and how much help I have. I have taken a plastic tobbogin before when there was snow on the ground but haven't used it yet. I did see a guy lifting a spike elk out with a helicopter one time. Not sure what that may have cost him but that just don't seem right for some reason. maybe I'm just jealous. HAHA

[boneaddict]

This is how its done.  Of course it would take a helicopter to load it. hehehehehe
(Not mine, but I had a kick out of the picture)

[nw_bowhunter]

That is a funny picture! I used one of those black sleds from Cabelas. It was easier than dragging it.

[boneaddict]

or if you are more of a traditionalist and don't like all of the fumes and noise of the 4 wheeler......you call Idabooner up and have him hitch up the team.
(Not him pictured)

[GoldTip]

Mainly I use my packframe and my two legs, and anyone else's two legs I can get under a pack frame to help me!  Unfortunately I don't have help as often as I'd like.  If and when it's legal I will use my four wheeler.

[jackelope]

well...between myself and my hunting buds, we have game carts, packboards, drag ropes, trucks, 4 wheelers, etc. i have taken a packboard along a couple times and never used it to date, but also never been along on a hunt where an elk was killed yet either. we always end up dragging or using a quad where it's legal. i believe where bicycles are illegal, the game carts are too.
we'll learn eventually.

[bobcat]

jackelope, How far do you generally drag deer out? And is it always downhill? I'd drag a deer 1/4 mile if it was downhill, but any farther than that, and it gets boned out and packed out on my back. I just HATE dragging them out and I can't believe how far some people will drag a deer (or elk.) 

[jackelope]

i guess probably a mile at the most. the thing you need to know i guess, is that i have not been hunting much in the mountains like a lot of you guys where you are miles from camp or your rig. i'm a newbie to western style hunting relatively speaking.
long story, but that will be changing here pretty quick. most of the land i've been hunting since i moved out here is private farm land. i've been on a couple unsuccesful elk hunts and i tagged along on a swakane archery hunt where my buddy killed a deer, but it was in the snow and we slid it downhill to a road(the stalk/kill happened very soon after leaving the truck) on all the elk hunts and the deer hunt i had my packboard and gladly would have packed out an animal, but never had the opportunity.
I'm sure to be moving towards more public land mountain hunting probably this year and definitely by next year as the land my wife's family has hunted on for umpteen years is currently for sale.

[high country]

just cut 4 slits in the hide and sslide your arms through...make your own backpack.



or use the badlands 2800 and a sharp knife