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Author Topic: Toughest Elk Pack Out?  (Read 8468 times)

Offline andrew_in_idaho

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Re: Toughest Elk Pack Out?
« Reply #45 on: April 22, 2019, 04:52:32 PM »
My first elk after moving to Idaho, I had seen elk out on a far ridge previously, met another hunter at the top of the mountain and we were talking about how there always seemed to be elk on that ridge, but neither of us was excited to go after them, he headed off in another direction and I settled in waiting for the fog to clear, just as it starts to clear I hear a far off bugle from that distant ridge, I glass and spot a bull and cow on the skyline and then I hear a shot, I continue watching as elk begin pouring over the top, eventually there are about 300 elk spread out over a distance of about 1/2 mile along the ridge. At that point I couldn’t resist the temptation anymore I just went for it, dove off the ridge I was on into the creek bottom, up and over the end of the next 2 ridges and just as I started to climb THE ridge, I hear shots ring out again, then I hear cows talking and they start coming over the ridge right at me. First group has a spike and I let him walk, second group I see has a bull, I look at him through the scope and see branch antlers and let him have it. Now I have an elk down solo, 6 miles from my own vehicle and 3 miles from the nearest road. I boned him out and took 1/3 of the meat and the head just as it was starting to get dark, I decided I was heading in the most direct route to the road which was straight up a creek bottom, there was a trail but it was faint and I lost it several times in the dark as it seemed to zig zag back and forth across the creek. I think I crossed that creek 6 or 8 times before I stumbled into some guys camp and one of them gave me a ride to my truck. The next day I went back for the other 2 bags of meat and it was pouring rain and about 35 degrees and all I had at the time was cotton shirt and jacket and jeans and no waterproof boots. I learned a lot from that whole experience.


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Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: Toughest Elk Pack Out?
« Reply #46 on: April 22, 2019, 05:05:46 PM »
Would you do it again if you had the chance?
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
The further one goes into the wilderness, the greater the attraction of its lonely freedom.

Offline andrew_in_idaho

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Re: Toughest Elk Pack Out?
« Reply #47 on: April 23, 2019, 05:03:58 AM »
Would you do it again if you had the chance?
With better gear, absolutely


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Offline trophyhunt

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Re: Toughest Elk Pack Out?
« Reply #48 on: April 23, 2019, 06:22:09 AM »




I killed these two animals 14 miles in last year and packed them out alone.  I did get a couple of horse packers to carry the elk rear quarters 8 miles, which took two days off my trip, but it still took me six days.
Damn, next time get a partner!!!   :chuckle:  Seriously, that is an amazing feat Dave.
“In common with”..... not so much!!

Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: Toughest Elk Pack Out?
« Reply #49 on: April 23, 2019, 07:42:44 AM »
Dave might want to look at getting a portable winch
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
The further one goes into the wilderness, the greater the attraction of its lonely freedom.

Offline CavemantheHunter

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Re: Toughest Elk Pack Out?
« Reply #50 on: April 23, 2019, 08:41:25 AM »
Last year - Idaho Wilderness Backcountry Hunt. 6.5 miles with 2000 ft of elevation gain over the first 1/2 mile. 85 degree days and 20 degree nights. Took 12 hours to get the boned out elk and our gear to our backcountry tent and another 8 hours the following morning to get the meat to our rig. Not a flat spot during the packout, but well worth it.

 


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