Rope!!!

[Poser]

If you’re worried about bears and your meat, you will be packing some serious hardware in to try and keep it safe. They will figure most systems out in a flash. I came to the realization that I just get it off the ground if it’s evening, and if they get it, so be it part of the game.

Nah. 2 rope hang, get it up high, build 3:1 gear ratio with a couple of those Wiser pulleys (I used to use carabiners, but way more friction compared to the pulleys which are also lighter), get the meat 8 feet off the ground and well clear of the surrounding trees. Its definitely some engineering, but when you start getting into multi day packs outs, you know you meat is secure.

 

[Next Ridge]

Mostly to hang meat but also wondering if we should have rope for hauling up and over small cliff or bluff should we have a kill down in a ridge or creek bottom. I just want to be prepared for all possibilities should they arise.

I will definitely have paracord in the pack, I'll add a few of those small pinch pulleys as well as suggested by @wytx.

There is always a route around a cliff that is easier than going directly over it.

 

[Coveyleader]

Nah. 2 rope hang, get it up high, build 3:1 gear ratio with a couple of those Wiser pulleys (I used to use carabiners, but way more friction compared to the pulleys which are also lighter), get the meat 8 feet off the ground and well clear of the surrounding trees. Its definitely some engineering, but when you start getting into multi day packs outs, you know you meat is secure.

If any, and I mean any rope is holding the meat, no matter how high up, if they can get to that rope, it’s coming down. Years baiting bears, my stink baits always go missing. They are masters! They’d figure a rubix cube out if they had to.

 

[Ralphie]

 

[Crowmangler]

1. 50' of p cord
2. bear tag

 

[Jaquomo]

Right there with coveyleader. That said, out of the 100+ elk kills I've been in on, a certain percentage got left overnight for various reasons. I can only recall two that were disturbed by bears. Had more problems with martens dropping down and ripping-chewing the hanging game bags.

As far as rope? I carry 50' of 550 for GP and to tie off the carcass for butchering.

 

[BigCam47]

550 reflective paracord. Doubles as a guy line so you don’t trip over it in the dark

 

[LongWayAround]

550 paracord has a fair amount of stretch, I prefer to keep some mule tape in my pack.

 

[Poser]

If any, and I mean any rope is holding the meat, no matter how high up, if they can get to that rope, it’s coming down. Years baiting bears, my stink baits always go missing. They are masters! They’d figure a rubix cube out if they had to.

Colorado bears don't have a reputation for tenacity or aggression. I've left food caches hanging for up to two weeks and had meat hanging unattended (both using very high, 2 rope hangs) for up to 3 days without bears getting it. Not saying they couldn't, but its worth a bit of extra effort to secure food/meat in away that a bear would have to go to great pains to get.

 

[Wrench]

100ft of 550 cord and a good knowledge of knots and bights will do you solid. You can use counterbalance to hoist, log winches, gin poles.....all kinds of fun stuff to make it easy.

Cordage is important.....but knowledge of how to make the best use of it is priceless.

 

[Vrybusy]

Paracord always works well for general purposes. If you're looking for high strength and lightweight, take a look at Lawson (lawsonequipment.com). They make great products...including a 2mm high strength rope. Reflective is a bonus too. Many options there. If you're looking to hoist your animal to help with butchering, etc... there are some great, very lightweight systems out there that fit in the palm of your hand involving two small double pulley's that are used in the sailing industry.

 

[Luked]

I haven't killed anything out west yet. But I carry 50' of 1.8mm reflective cord in my kill kit.
It doesn't take up hardly any room and weighs next to nothing.
Its rated for about 100lbs.

 

[rayporter]

dont buy cheap imitation para cord. it wont hold up a hind leg,

 

[Pro953]

dont buy cheap imitation para cord. it wont hold up a hind leg,

That is a good point. You will find a huge quality range in what is available. If you buy the cheapest crap available used for crafting and other hobbies, prepare for disappointment.

It’s more expensive but some of the nice micro cord of its very strong has less friction and makes it easier to pull quarters. But be careful it can be like braided fishing line and cut/hurt you when playing with that much weight.


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[Nine Banger]

Carabiners would work as block and tackle or get a couple of these small pulleys: https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/pynch-pulley

Paracord as stated above works in the pulleys.

Do you have some of these?

I ordered 6 550's and 200 feet of 7/64" dyneema.

Should be fun at cub scouts and Maine moose hunt in October.

The intro video mentions a follow up video with tips for other attachment ideas but I don't see it online.

 

[Dos Perros]

A rope would be useful to hang yourself when a pack of dudes rains long distance lead on a bull as you're stalking in.

 

[Beendare]

Not all para cord is the same. The home depot cheap stuff is only rated 160# or so. The higher rated para cord is slicker and actually rated 550#.

I usually like it hanging from a high branch- so pulley is tough to get that high- I don’t use them. I typically throw the line over a high branch. If I can pull with another guy lifting,the cheap para works. If I’m solo,I try to bring 50’ of the better cord- more friction with me lifting and pulling.

I have used the braided mason line but not solo. I sometimes use it as double duty around my tent with a couple bells for cows and bears.

 

[575 ELK]

I take 5 or 6 strings off of a few bales of alfalfa and use them.

 

[BBob]

I’ve never worried about bears in Colorado. I’ve yet to have them be on meat the following day, and bears are going for guts first anyway.

It must depend on where you are in CO. In some areas we've almost always have bear issues and they almost always get at least some of it if not a lot of it.

 

[Laelkhunter]

.... wondering if we should have rope for hauling up and over small cliff or bluff should we have a kill down in a ridge or creek bottom. ...........................

Ha, that is amusing. I have a visual of 2 guys trying to pull an elk up over a cliff from a creek bottom with a piece of rope!!