Some of you may have seen some of my previous posts, maybe not - anyway, I'm planning my first backpack hunting trip to CO in October for elk. One of the things I've been researching is field dressing/deboning/packing/etc. I actually did a gutless debone on the whitetail I killed this year to try it out - worked great! I may do that from now on.

I found alot of other useful info as well, but still have a question or 2.

If I put an animal on the ground in the afternoon for example, I can get it deboned and pack the first load back to camp. Should I debone the whole thing and hang the remaining meat (in sacks) from a tree limb, etc.? Making several trips in the dark does not sound like a great idea depending on terrain. Or maybe debone and get in all in waterproof bags and put 'em in a nearby creek for the night and start packing in the morning?

May sound like stupid questions, but I have no experience in this type situation. I know more details would help give better answers, but not sure exactly how far from camp I'll be hunting, etc.

Thanks!