Elk pack out

[Fjelljeger]

Has anyone ever used a military/rescue type sled (or made their own version) to pack out a boned out elk? Figuring two people to control the load. Certainly would never try to haul out a whole elk but wondering how that type of setup would do handling 150# of meat. Those sleds are rated for an adult male 200# plus. Trying to limit the number of multi mile trips with 60# plus packs. This would be for wilderness backcountry terrain when no hunting buddies or pack horses/outfitters are available.

 

[BigDog00]

One year in CO three of us used a cheap plastic sled to drag out a gut cow for about 1/2 mile...whole!! Granted we were on a closed forest road and there was a little bit of snow on the ground. It did really suck (mainly because the other two guys were very out of shape) but we got her back to the truck in about 30-45 minutes. I think it would be pretty tough to control it unless you were on fairly level ground like in my case. Dragging on snow helps out a ton to cut down on the friction created by the dirt.

 

[Bar]

Just dragging the boned out meat for two guys in shape shouldn't be that hard.

 

[littlebuf]

It's easier just to carry it. Next time you walk down a trail pay attention to evey little thing you step over or little drop here and there in the trail . Truth is you'll be carrying more than dragging it any way. In the packs faster

 

[Ross]

unless as noted in a perfect world which i personally have never seen elk hunting, nor may want to ie snow and perfectly flat, it will be best to cut and pack, versus dragging around, over, under and up down any incline.........you will save yourself time and aggravation with reasonable certainty by packing. Grab some boards and friends/family and gterdun

 

[Ryan Avery]

Ross, how many elk have you packed out on your back, one or two?

 

[pyroducksx3]

My first deer we dragged out on a sled, no snow just down the logging road 2 miles. Terrible expierence and dragged holes through the bottom on the sled. My buddy dropped a black bear in the same area a year or so later and we did the long pole and tie it's legs thing, terrible idea never happening again. I've since gotten a good pack and I've deboned 2 deer and brought them out solo on one trip and quartered an elk and brought it out on one trip with a buddy and it has easily been my preferred method. I will never drag an animal again unless I can practically drive to it.

 

[Fjelljeger]

So the concensus is that using a sled is not the best idea. Well I guess I am going to have to break the bad news to my 5'3", 120lbs wife. Its going to sound something like this; "Honey they said NO! Looks like we are going to have to load your pack up with some bloody elk meat and carry it out....then hike back in and pack out some more...then just one more time." "Promise it will be a great time!"
Actually this will be our second time hunting elk in a wildnerness area. We did an archery hunt last year in GMU 43 but didnt have an luck. Thanks for the replies and the good advice. Now back to convincing the wife how wonderful an idea DIY backcountry elk hunting is!!

 

[Bar]

When you said two people I pictured two guys in shape. I also pictured an area that could be pulled over.

Now that I know the facts. Rent a mule.

 

[littlebuf]

This type of hunting isn't for every one. There's no easy way and often a good sign of who it's not for is those looking for the easy way as apposed to accepting and embracing the pain and challenge it truly presents. Be careful out there

 

[pyroducksx3]

I have seen some guys build there own carts or customize the manufactured one to work pretty well. Also have seen people use the child carrier bike trailers behind mountain bikes but these are only good options if going in behind fences. In the backcountry it's packs or animals. Pack goats are cool option.

 

[jwb300]

Don't know if this would work where you are hunting?

http://www.moroka30.com.au/rickshaws-c-20.html?zenid=fa61970bcb7dc0368e2cd05e7eecf244

 

[5MilesBack]

Most of the places I hunt I couldn't pull a sled if I had to. Miles of deadfall is hard enough with the meat on my back.

 

[Pontius]

We dragged out a cow on a sled last year. About a mile from the truck and sharply uphill through a forest. We had deboned her where she lay. It was at the end of a long day of a long week, late at night and no trail back to the truck. 183 pounds of meat in the bags. We briefly tried to split the load between two of us, but it seemed like a great way to break an ankle in the snowy darkness. Decided to screw it, and hung the bags in a tree overnight.

Came back in the morning, brought the $12 Tactical Sled of Death (or TSOD) up the hill with us. We wrapped the four game bags in a tarp, secured with some ratchet straps. Looked like a human body in the sled. Dual guide lines were secured fore and aft, a necessity. It takes more horsepower than you'd imagine to drag that thing in deep snow. An established footpath is desirable. Pretty easy going in healthy dark timber with a little snow. The uphill guy has the lousiest job. Both team members must retain the ability to let go at any time. Once we had a system figured out we were down the hill in 20 expletive-filled minutes. Saved hiking half the day. Incidentally my inspiration to bring the sled in the first place was another hunter who dropped a cow in almost the exact same spot 2 years prior. I saw his TSOD tracks and had been envious ever since.

It's a handy tool if circumstances are right. I'll definitely bring the TSOD along again this fall, but under no illusions. No matter how ya slice it, elk hunting is cruelty to humans.

 

[Bar]

Hauling out elk meat is self torture. I'd never think of doing it if I didn't love elk meat so much.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

The OP is talking about hunting in a wilderness area, so that would preclude using any type of a cart with wheels because they aren't allowed! It will either be drag, backpack, or find someone to rent an animal to pack it out.

 

[Bar]

I know some wilderness areas that have old logging roads that could be dragged on. Some hiking/horse trails would work too.

Personally, I think dragging is much harder than a good fitting frame pack.

 

[elkmule123]

There's this cart as well.
http://www.thediyhunter.com/meat-cart-deer-elk-hauling-system
But I'm with the majority. Debone and through it in the packs.

 

[Fjelljeger]

All great advice. We will be planning on packing out the meat on our backs. So if doing multiple trips to the parked truck is the way to go, got a question, how are you storing the meat in the truck? If on a multi day hunt any ice staged in a cooler might have melted out if the weather is warm. Are you all driving out with the first load, finding ice, then returning for the remainder? Last time we were parked not too far from a nearby town where we would have gotten ice but this year we plan on going to a different location. How do you all do it?

 

[Bar]

A good cooler should keep the ice for the hunt. Keep it out of the sun and covered up.