Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Anybody pack an elk out by themselves?

On a couple occasions a few years ago, packed out myself. At 65, I still hunt solo, but I have friends to help if I harvest one.
And the last couple years, I've hunted more forgiving terrain and closer to home. Its way more now, that I just enjoy being out there, and never had expectations of great wall hangers, just some meat in the freezer.

I failed to mention and give "much" credit to my wife, who has packed elk quarters out. Most of these were short packs(most under a mile), but give her much credit for doing it. Just last year,she packed (only about 600 yrds.),a front quarter of a young 6x6 bull I lucked into. And, she did that with a "bum" knee that she's been fighting for two years now! We don't hunt was hard as we once did,hunt closer to the vehicle, and use the Polaris Ranger when we can, but we're still hunting!!!!! memtb

My Wife quit helping a couple of years ago after packing a bull quarter in thick brush kept yanking her off her feet. Now I do it myself. I hope to pack out a cow next week, might even go for a calf since they are so tender.

Between drinking all of my beer and playing Tiddlywinks with those bear, I'm surprised you had time to pack an elk out.

That wasn't tiddly winks, it was grab-ass.

Sounds just like me! I talked myself into another trip in a couple weeks! Every elk that I ever shot has come out in a pack. Ain't fun, but it sure feels good after you do it!

Kind of hard for me to tell, with all the bugling going on.

This is how I prefer to pack elk out, I even help my buddies with theirs!

I've packed out a few smaller elk solo. Nothing to be worried about.

If you're looking for someone to help with the investment, let me know.

Seriously.

Nice!

That chunk of blaze orange on the skull is a really, really, good idea.............


Casey

Years ago, my BIL's father owned a small business. He and several of his employees were deer hunting. He was sitting and watching a patch of quakies when he saw a buck walking through. He could clearly see the head and antlers as it moved between the trees. He got ready and when it appeared again, he was just about to touch one off when he thought he saw a glimpse of orange. He held off and saved an employee's life. The guy had shot a deer and was packing it on his back. The head was hanging over his shoulder with his head behind it's neck. The glimpse of orange was his hat.

I got mules and a wife who wrangles. The packing out is actually the funnest part. Cold beer and the dogs get 2 come with.

What he said.

I have packed two out alone. One was 1.75 miles and 2200 ft higher then the truck in super steep terrain. The other was 80 yds. from the truck on flat ground. So if you go by averages it was not bad, first came out over 2 days, Last one in a little over 2 hours........

This years bull I packed by myself. I was able to cheat by killing it in a road system closed to motorized access. About 2 5/8 miles all up hill to get my cart up to the Elk, the hard part. Then two easy downhill rolls back to the truck. It took all day to do it myself, But I was able to do it. Just put the last packages in the freezer after processing it in the shop.

I'm looking forward to the day that I get to do that.

Gutless method is key. Look it up on YouTube.

I've done several solo pack-outs and it's not so bad if you have the right gear and know what you are doing. That being said, it also pays to be in shape. I have a weighted vest and climb stadium stairs as part of my training. Our neighbor made a comment about me "being the retard (poor word choice, I know) always walking on the road...you know we have cars for a reason?!?"

He's a Texan and hunts from a 4-Wheeler. Guess who kills stuff and who doesn't?

If you are going to do it, get your butt in shape a couple of months in advance. If you are successful, your future self will thank you.

Last two elk were packed out solo. This years was little over a mile from the road, at least it was mostly down hill. Still took over six hours from the time of the shot until I was finished.