Asking strangers for help hauling meat

[Laramie]

It is kind of an unwritten rule out west with the older experienced guys. We help each other unless there are circumstances to consider. I always offer if I run into someone with an elk down and I have accepted the help on numerous occasions. Most guys will offer a little meat, or supper in camp as a thank you. I know several guys who live out there that are flat offended if they don't get a call to come help pack.

 

[streamerfish]

I'm not generally hunting in the deep, backpacking in mountains....And there are is another camp that hunts the same area, that over the past 15 or so years we have become good friends with...

Our camps pretty much always help each other out, It generally becomes a 1 trip out to get the elk out, takes a few hrs and everyone else is back to hunting....

I also don't elk hunt alone as a general rule. Maybe I'm just weak or whatever, but I'm not interested in dealing with an elk on my own, especially if its a many mile pack out. Deer, fine, but not elk.

 

[Geewhiz]

I would rather crawl on my hands and knees through a thorn ridden swamp with a full pack of meat than willingly let anybody else know where I shot something. Have unfortunately had too many people stab me in the back.

That being said, I am always happy to help pack for others. A couple of years ago I was packed in for a night and ran into a guy and his 14 year old daughter who had just killed her first bull. A nice 6 point 6 miles down hill from a road. I jumped in and saved them an extra round trip. Was happy to help and it was awesome to see that girl with a nice rack on her back lugging him out of a hole.

 

[trevvamos]

2018 killed a bull a little too far back, temps were hovering in the mid 90s. Ran into a guy who was chasing the same bull. He helped me pack in the heat, turns out we lived 5 minutes away from each other, In a unit 6 hours from home. He’s now one of my best buddies.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Its case by case for me.

But I wouldn’t count on finding someone to help you.

I ran into some mule guys out riding around just camping, not really doing anything.

I offered to pay and he was like nahh. Didn’t even consider it

Not even for a whore house high price or anything.

 

[Fullfan]

Prob 6-8 years ago, I killed a bull 3.4 miles from the truck. 4 of us were just putting the 1/4's on pack frames. Here came a young guy down the mountain, said good bull and see you one man short. He took off his pack, grabbed a hind 1/4 and said " where ya parked" I told him and where he took about 6 steps, and said you want it in the truck or beside it. And away he went, when we got to the truck several hours later. There was the hind 1/4. Was glad he came along, because someone was going to have to make the trip again.

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve probably carried out a part of an animal that belongs to someone else at least once every season for the past ten years. Doesn’t bother me one bit. I feel like I’m building up a good bit of karma.

 

[butcherboy]

I will help someone if they ask. I will offer my help if I feel they need it. The only ones I ask for help are in my hunting group but if someone I don’t know offers to help I’ll accept it but I won’t ask them.

 

[svivian]

I've offered to help multiple times, im always surprised by how many dont take the help. Im not complaining im the same way.

Im sure there will be a time when im older that I would like someone to atleast offer.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I helped a guy get a moose in his truck a few years ago
He gave me a front shoulder, neck meat.
And all the busch lattes I could drink

 

[Laramie]

I helped a guy get a moose in his truck a few years ago
He gave me a front shoulder, neck meat.
And all the busch lattes I could drink

That's like hitting the lottery... I love moose meat.

 

[ewade07]

Years ago my brother and a buddy and I ran into a guy on our way out from MT rifle opener who was carrying a front quarter and the antlers off a bull he had shot opening morning. He was probably 50-60 lbs over weight and struggling, said his feet were killing him and that he didnt have it in him to make another trip.. He was from somewhere in the midwest if i remember, first elk he had ever shot. He said he was going into town after his one load and didnt think he would be coming back for the rest of his meat or his camp. He offered the three of us 200$ or so to bring the rest of his elk and camp out. I responded for the group with a 'No' and we went about our business. Never saw the guy again, dont know if he ever got his shit out. The whole situation really irked me the wrong way. Guy could shoot an elk but didnt want to pack it all out.

 

[Geewhiz]

Years ago my brother and a buddy and I ran into a guy on our way out from MT rifle opener who was carrying a front quarter and the antlers off a bull he had shot opening morning. He was probably 50-60 lbs over weight and struggling, said his feet were killing him and that he didnt have it in him to make another trip.. He was from somewhere in the midwest if i remember, first elk he had ever shot. He said he was going into town after his one load and didnt think he would be coming back for the rest of his meat or his camp. He offered the three of us 200$ or so to bring the rest of his elk and camp out. I responded for the group with a 'No' and we went about our business. Never saw the guy again, dont know if he ever got his shit out. The whole situation really irked me the wrong way. Guy could shoot an elk but didnt want to pack it all out.

Guy I was with did that with a caribou last fall. Shot it, boned it out and got it cooling. Made the hike out with the tenderloins and back straps and once he got to the road he told me he wasn't going back to get the rest of it.

 

[Ross]

When your miles in, with sizeable elevation, you better enjoy the reality of moving a lot weight and non comfort on your body. Adrenaline eventually wears off and the hard reality sets in. Packing elk is not for everyone.