Packing elk in deadfall timber

[cnelk]

I have been seeing several threads about 'newbies' or first-timers wanting to hunt elk and I thought I would share a short video clip of what its like to pack elk quarters, cross country, in downed beetle killed timber.

We only had a 3/4 mile pack on this hunt, and we each had a quarter of meat with some loose meat.

Its not fun, and I would suggest not doing it at night.
This wasnt even the thickest or worst part

Deadfall timber_ packing elk - YouTube

Two trips, ~3/4 mile one way, 3+ miles total took 4+ hours.

Be safe, be realistic in your hunts.

 

[cowboy]

Nice film - brings back way too many memories way too many times. Put about 4" of fresh snow on that blowdown and you've really got a challenge - every stick you step on is like a down hill ski slope.

All I can say is: bone it and get yourself a pair of trekking poles.

 

[HOT ROD]

That will work cnelk... Good video for sure

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

If you havent almost broke a leg in dead fall you've never really elk hunted.

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[SlimWhitman]

Just gets me more excited. You've got an elk on your back.


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[Tex68w]

Looks like a good time.

 

[bz_711]

The downed timber was an eye opener for this Midwestern boy...

 

[greentimber]

Sprains, torn ligaments, and hernias. Gotta love it.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Trekking poles, lighten the loads a bit, take your time and don't get stupid.

Great video for perspective.


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[Brightwhite]

Nice film - brings back way too many memories way too many times. Put about 4" of fresh snow on that blowdown and you've really got a challenge - every stick you step on is like a down hill ski slope.

All I can say is: bone it and get yourself a pair of trekking poles.

There is nothing worse than blow down with snow on it!!!

 

[Elkfitness]

This is me every year! I always Hunt solo and My wife tells me to hire a packer. I tell that once I get to the trail, all the hard work is done. And I don't think a horse can get in the thick stuff. Speaking of the snow, one year I was taking an elk out and about killed myself falling on the snow. Fun times!!

This was almost my last selfie!

 

[mod700]

Always amazes me is how quiet a bull can appear in that stuff, as well as how fast they can disappear in it. Packing meat with good friends through that crap builds memories that last, for years.
Mike

 

[TurkeyBowMaster]

I use to work in a he woods felling trees and walking them and topping them was a daily practice, so when I encountered the dead stuff out west I just walked the logs. Sometimes I would find myself over head high off the ground but making great time. This practice finally bit me when the bark slipped and only then did I realized how lucky I had been. I still walk them but avoid the bark covered ones unless I'm sure it want slip. I can't imagine packing out through that stuff...through it up hill would be nearly impossible

 

[cnelk]

Always amazes me is how quiet a bull can appear in that stuff, as well as how fast they can disappear in it. Packing meat with good friends through that crap builds memories that last, for years.
Mike

You got that $hit right!

The elk we were packing

 

[gumbl3]

You're making it look easy

 

[mtwarden]

tough stuff to be sure

it's not just off trail either, few snaps from a trip into the Bob ON trail

 

[realunlucky]

There is nothing worse than blow down with snow on it!!!

X2 just walking in it not even packing a heavy pack just brings on the suck

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[elkyinzer]

The suck level is just about maxed out in places like this.

 

[rodney482]

That will ruin a new elk hunter

 

[ElkNut1]

Good thread! We hunt the same stuff here in ID as Cnelk does, it's no picnic but the country holds elk less than a mile from dirt & paved roads. Many hunters avoid the downfall mess & the elk know it! (grin) Here's a pack out from this year. You think you can just go around the downfall but there's 100's more awaiting you on the trip out!

ElkNut1