Even within our hunting party the first guy with an elk on the ground can't necessarily count on others to stop hunting to help him carry. Time afield is too valuable. Instead, guys will swing by his kill site on return trips to camp and carry as they are able. That generally extends to other hunters too. I think everyone is willing to pitch in it's just that no one is willing to drop everything to do it.
Many years go a young man (who still hunts with us today) asked me if he could join our group and offered to pack elk in return for an initiation to elk hunting. It's a good way for a novice to get a foot in the door.
edited to add - I did have a situation once where I had a bull down on a sunny slope partway down a canyon on a warm day. That one needed to be moved as quickly as possible and I had to make it clear to our guys that this particular one needed immediate help. I would do the same for a stranger if I knew that was his situation.
Last edited by Alamosa; 11/20/16.
