Elk hunting with horses..

[2rocky]

With the increase in Grizzley bears in the part of Wyoming I hunt, I'm more interested in packing out a down elk the same day rather than making the trip back to base camp for two packhorses, and packing it out the next day.

I've had a hunting partner suggest using Saddle panniers like in the picture below.

Now I'm a Decker packer, and I like my Manties and sling ropes...so this seems like blasphemy to me. Any of you used these suckers? How do you feel about them? What are the alternatives?

 

[paulc]

I bought one but have not used it. It was cheap and i thought it a good option. Typically where i hunt i dont use horses to hunt with.

I do own 3 horses and have thought if i ever shot one way back there i could use the horses. It seems what i always end up doing is either boning it out and carrying it out in a back pack or going home and getting the quads and getting close.

To answer your question, i would roll it up put it on the back of your saddle horse and give it a try. let us know how it works.

 

[Speckmisser]

We used a couple of those, along with the traditional panniers to pack out my elk year before last. It worked pretty good, and since the load was divided between two horses and a mule, I was actually able to ride on top of mine...saving me a 9 mile walk.

I bought one for deer and hog hunting, but haven't had a chance to put it to work yet.

 

[irishhunter]

we have used them for years in montana for elk and in the sierras for deer they work great but dont overload. some saddle ponies dont like the load the way it moves agaist them as they move so do a few trials before actually going out for real, one guy I was with got concussed when his new horse started a rodeo with his elk on her back,but he never put a pannier on her before that day

 

[FTTPOW]

I've used them successfully on 2 occasions in Montana. We would roll them up behind the saddle like a bed roll and have them ready for use when needed. When we'd tie off the horses to begin the hunt, we'd hang them from the trees to alert other hunters so that they'd be aware that there were horses in the area. We could pack out one elk on 2 horses. The only down side is that we had to walk the horses down, but the guys I hunt with would rather hike than ride anyway. Not me, I'd rather save my old legs for the hunt but sometimes there's no choice. If you don't have pack animals with you the panniers can convert your ride into a pack horse.