Pack Out Services West of Pinedale, WY

[ThorM465]

Looking for recommendations. Could be local teenagers/college kids trying to make extra money.

Situation: I'm looking at another back surgery (microdiscectomy) for another bulged disc. Unfortunately the Drs office has drug its feet. I've got a cow tag for Unit 92 and if I moved forward with the surgery now, I wouldn't have time to recover before my planned late season hunt. I intend to put the surgery off until the first of the year and push forward to my hunt. I legitimately think I can manage it and hump the elk out if I get one this year. I'm 8/10 confident I can pull it off. However, if my back goes out again while trying to get the meat out I don't want to be in a situation where its a total loss for me. I'd like to have a plan B.

I understand most of the services are outfitters and their customers paying for their guide services come first, so I can't expect them to available at the drop of a hat. Ideally, I'd like to have 3+ options I could call in a plan B scenario.

 

[Indian Summer]

That’s going to be difficult to find. Especially since technically it’s not legal. If I were in that situation, I would call Yellowstone Horses. They can deliver two horses from Afton with pack saddles and panniers ready to go. All you would have to do is grab a lead rope and walk them in. Put your quarters in the panniers and flop them on top of the saddle and walk out. It’s the surest bet. Otherwise I’d go into town there before my hunt and ask around. Good luck. Bulged discs are brutal!

 

[ThorM465]

Really, paying someone to help you hike out meat is illegal in Wyoming?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[LongWayAround]

Illegal in Colorado also.

It can be done for free or you have to hire a licensed outfitter.

 

[wytx]

They have to be licensed to pack out game in Wyoming, and yes GW's will be watching.

 

[ThorM465]

This is absurd and abjectly corrupt.

Am I missing something? Can anyone rationalize such laws in a way that's not absurd and corrupt? Honest request.

 

[wytx]

Wyoming licenses guides and outfitters and that includes packing services to protect hunters from illegal guides and outfitters. and shady folks.

Send an email to Wyoming Guides and outfitters Association and ask them, lol.

I guess you think anyone should be able to pack out game? Just asking not arguing.

Went down this path with the WOGA years back.
Find a friend that will do it for free is all I can say.
Kind of ridiculous but I can see a point to it.
Guides, outfitters and packers must be licensed by the state. Except for ranchers outfitting their deeded or leased lands.

 

[ThorM465]

I guess you think anyone should be able to pack out game? Just asking not arguing.

It might be insane, but yes I do. Why shouldn't they be able to? Why should the state have the authority to stop them?
It seems like its taking away a great opportunity for 16-~22 yr old young men to make some extra cash. An even greater plus for them if their on the cusp of military service.

 

[BFR]

I would find someone who will do it for “gas” money, you can decide how much they need.

 

[Indian Summer]

It is illegal in Montana too. It is a uniform policy that applies to all national forest.

Look at it the way you would look at other businesses that require a license. If you owned a bar and paid a couple hundred thousand dollars for a liquor license would you want some 16 to 22 year-old selling it down the street for half price with no expenses? The Board of outfitters gets licensing fees, the forest service gets user fees and assigned site fees. Liability insurance is through the roof.

If anyone was allowed to pack for compensation, there would be drop camps all over the Rocky Mountains with no accountability. There would also be a lot of lawsuits filed against uninsured packers. Obviously it is something new to you, but it is for the good of all of us.

 

[ThorM465]

It is illegal in Montana too. It is a uniform policy that applies to all national forest.

Look at it the way you would look at other businesses that require a license. If you owned a bar and paid a couple hundred thousand dollars for a liquor license would you want some 16 to 22 year-old selling it down the street for half price with no expenses? The Board of outfitters gets licensing fees, the forest service gets user fees and assigned site fees. Liability insurance is through the roof.

If anyone was allowed to pack for compensation, there would be drop camps all over the Rocky Mountains with no accountability. There would also be a lot of lawsuits filed against uninsured packers. Obviously it is something new to you, but it is for the good of all of us.

If the only delineation is whether or not I'm charging someone for the service, the state should not be able to force you to pay them for a permit or license.