Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Helping pack out a stranger's elk

I've told people where I've seen game while on my way out, have helped look for game they either shot or shot at, but haven't been in a position to help pack out. If it is near a road and just need to load it up, no problem. But stopping my hunt to help a stranger out for half or a whole day, nope.

For birds? Yes.

To carry heavy schit that isn't mine? No.

Although my son would surely help you. For money.




Dave

What about dead hookers? Can I count on you? Bro

Oh yeah.





Clark

Anyone that **expects*** me to take time out of my hunt to help them pack their elk out on my back is definitely going to be disappointed. I'd say more so if they expect me to do it for free, but it isn't going to happen either way. Although I've helped people a bit, we're there to hunt for our own animals. I always try to have the phone number of a pack service in my pocket, in case we get one down further than we can or want to pack it ourselves. Be happy to share that.

I've had to pack animals out by myself on multiple occasions. It is no fun but it can be done.

My buddy shoot a pretty good size bull moose by himself during archery season in Alaska. He got ahold of a buddy said he needed help (he was by himself) his buddy showed in a Argo they got the moose out. For the trouble coming out to help ol boy got a back strap and hind qtr. granted not much packing but still wear tare on a machine. If I'm out and about in Ak moose hunting or whatever and someone needs help we will stop and help out. Granted we are out hunting 7-10 days what's a half a day helping someone out. Hell might get a beer out of it.

In general, I enjoy helping people. Now, I haven't had much opportunity to be in the elk woods, mainly because I went 10 years between tags. But, when I was a kid, my dad, grandpa and I would offer our help to anyone who looked like they needed it while elk hunting. Elk dead? Lets load it up. Far from your truck in the cold? We'd give a ride. Stuck in the snow? Do our best to pull you out with out getting stuck ourselves. First elk on the ground and you don't know how to gut it? Grab your knife, we'll show you how.

As stated previously. If someone TELLS me I'm helping them, Ill prove them wrong. Ask for help in a non-douche way, and I'm more then happy to help.

Perhaps I should re-frame the question, as Clark did so eloquently:

A couple miles form the truck with a heavy load that needs to be packed out on your back and will take half a day round-trip?

That was the question. No one has brought this angle up yet, but as for myself, I'm 60 and I only have so many of those round-trips in the legs. If the situation is right, sure I'll help. If it's not right, no thanks regardless of how nicely you ask. You shouldn't be asking in the first place. especiailly an old man like me, LOL.

If a stranger asks me to help pack their elk out while I have a tag in my pocket, the answer will be "uhhhh no."

Well, wouldja if I offered to carry your tag?

Only if I then got to ride on one of the horses, buddy ol pal.

That is a tough question you post, at least to me.

I feel guilty telling someone no if they ask for assistance. Will it cost me hunting time? Obviously. But, at the end of the day I know it would be on my mind when I laid my head down on my pillow at night if I told them no. I would probably carry as much out as I could in one trip and move along.

Deal. On at least parts of that.

If someone I didn't know ASKED me for help, I would most likely help them.

Would I VOLUNTEER to pack out their elk? Nope.

Will always help out a friend.

If somebody asked me to help them out I would become angry.




Clark

Most hunters are good people. willing to help out if needed.

Thank you for the fine stories, gentlemen. I think I may have gotten too cynical regarding people the last few years. Sometimes it seems like the world has filled up with idiots, morons, scumbags, and sociopaths. I'm humbled to be reminded otherwise.

I don't think you are too far off in your assessment Huntnshoot. When meeting new people I usually figure them to be an A-hole. Then when I am proved wrong,I am pleasantly surprised. This keeps me from being disappointed when I initially figure they are good people. I have found, thru out life, that I would have been more disappointed than I would have been pleasantly surprised.

If someone nicely asked if I'd use my llamas to help them, I'd likely do it. I just like working them if nothing else. They're fun on the trail.

Hell, if I had llamas who needed work I'd let saddlesore call me an a-hole and still help him out. That wasn't the question though. And of course, he's not the type to be in the backcountry with his thumb up his butt wondering how he's gonna pack his elk out.