Post elk hunt beat down

[Maverick1]

Packing an elk solo is a kick in the nuts. I hope to never do it again.

I hope to do it every single year.

 

[hobbes]

Don’t say that!!!!

There's only one other option, get old .....or die.

 

[Read1t48]

Solo this year for me. 27 miles in two days of packing. I enjoyed it and hated it all at the same time but I’m ready for next year. This year was rough and it took me a week to miss it and I was back in the woods before the end of season just to test my skills and see if I could find elk and shoot them with a camera.

People say “elk hunting is a lifestyle”. What does that mean? For me...it’s not just about the hunt. It’s the prep, the research, the gear, the adventure, and the mental and physical challenge to do it every year.
I workout 5-6 days per week, exercise, and eat healthy. I study maps, woodsmanship, bushcraft, survival, butchering, cooking, food storage, various weaponry, etc, all in the name of elk. It becomes a lifestyle. It helps me make good decisions in other areas of my life all year long.

 

[trophyhill]

Typical year for me. Hunted high elevation in CO and not as high in NM. Tore something in my left knee and still managed to put meat n the freezer. Lost probably 10 pounds. My upper body was sore from packing meat for 3 or 4 days after. I guess if I worked out year round or even leading up to my hunts I probably wouldn’t be as sore after these hunts. But I don’t do too bad for being in just ok shape for these hunts. A lot to be said for having heart and a desire to succeed I suppose.

 

[Ralphie]

My horses have been really unhappy with the bulls they packed out this year. Wasn’t too tough on me. Although I did have to load the elk parts on the horses.

 

[Tobe_B]

I shoe horses for a living, so pain is relative. Although, this year a farrier buddy of mine shot a bull. We deboned it and packed the whole thing out in one trip. Only a mile and half, but it still hurt a bit.


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[MTSasquatch]

Used to not hurt as much, now every year that passes it hurts a little more. Or, I stay sore a little longer. Some spots I won’t even hunt anymore because I don’t want the misery. Elk are heavy. Getting older is heavy.

 

[bohntr]

Packing out an elk…..AZ style.

 

[bascott1]

Packing elk is supposed to be tough, thankfully the mind and body forget that part and your ready again for the fun in just a few weeks One reason elk hunting is addictive, we wait all year for a short window of time, it then arrives with so many peaks and valleys, then you torture your body if successful You rejoice, remember, forget and then do it every year till your body says you can’t do it again…until then enjoy the success and plan for next year

ps things hard earned are remembered a lot more and bring more personal satisfaction

I agree. Been two days and already ready to make the trip back and do it again.

 

[Scoot]

Packing elk is supposed to be tough, thankfully the mind and body forget that part and your ready again for the fun in just a few weeks One reason elk hunting is addictive, we wait all year for a short window of time, it then arrives with so many peaks and valleys, then you torture your body if successful You rejoice, remember, forget and then do it every year till your body says you can’t do it again…until then enjoy the success and plan for next year

ps things hard earned are remembered a lot more and bring more personal satisfaction

Nailed it! I couldn't have said it better myself!!! Ross gets it!

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Pain = lasting memories.

 

[Pony Soldier]

Just a little perspective. In my world, elk live in difficult places. Although I have assistance from my horses to get the meat out, I have to saw out a trail to get my stock to a process site. Then I usually have to saw out a drag path to get the elk to the horses. Once the two are together I build the facilities to quarter the elk and load the ponies. Since I'm not prone to herds of horses, I then walk them out to my truck and trailer.

Once I get to the house the quarters are skinned, washed, scrubbed, trimmed and wrapped. Like most of you, my butt is dragging at the end of the day. The only thing I elimonate is the multiple trips.
I hate seeing the same dirt over and over.

It was hard when I was 20 and it is still hard in my 70s. I tend to take a day off for myself and my horses after we get one in and I don't have a camp anymore.

For most of you young guys - suck it up. You ain't seen nothing yet.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I usually loose 10-15 lbs every year during my elk hunt...This year I went in about 10ish pounds heavier than normal...lost 13lbs but didn't feel nearly as drained as past years.

 

[Gerbdog]

Yea my pack out was about 3 miles this year too, train all year for it, was still smoked at the end. Crawled into the bed of my truck and blacked out. Do the same thing every year. Cant say ive ever packed out an elk and said "well i feel great, we should go run a 5k, what a good time". Course im getting older too so recovery takes a little longer now too.

Who is it on here who has the signature "elk hunting is hard" ? Either way... thats truth.

I also notice when im in the packing out process, i dont have any desire to eat at all. 12 hours later of packing out meat i usually figure out i hadnt eaten anything all day. Probably should try and pay more attention to that.

 

[5MilesBack]

I shoot a big bull and I'm working off of adrenaline for most of the pack out, so it's not bad. I get home and I'm still pumped for the most part. But then that lower altitude gets to me, and I slide into sluggishness for the next 11 months.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Don’t say that!!!!

73 now, my pack out days are behind me, sad but true.

 

[DAOutfitters208]

It’s the best feeling in the world! Embrace and enjoy it until your kids can embrace and enjoy it for ya!

 

[RyanT26]

Packed a cow elk out in two trips this year, only a mile. It was my first elk, it was heavy and I loved every minute of it.

 

[philos]

Adrenaline dump

 

[ewade07]

Just got back from helping my brother haul out a nice bull. 10+ miles in a foot of snow with heavy packs sucks.