once the elks down

[340mag]

modern tools like PLASTIC ZIP LOCK BAGS, PLASITIC SHEETING, to keep the meat clean,a CELL PHONE to call for extra help, and GPS HELP,
I long ago found that hunting with 1-4 other ELK hunters you can call for help once youve got an ELK down, carrying several dozen 1 gallon zip lock bags , sharp hunting knives and experiance dressing out ELK and a comfortable back pack that allows carring 80lbs-120 lbs of meat out per man, per trip, boned and cooled in seperate zip lock bags is the easiest way to pack out an elk.
we normally carry cell phones that are for emergency use only, but dropping an elk far from a road qualifies and giving CODED location (GPS) info helps get the correct manpower to the spot quickly to get the ELK dressed ,the meat cooled and packed out so dry ice and the large 160 qt coolers can get thre meat frozen solid for the trip home!
the backpack you choose MUST handle 100 lbs without problems and damn few will without breaking, or making a constant squeaking noise!
while I normally hunt in 2 or 3 man teams, to work the canyons, extra help getting a large elk back to camp is always needed over what a single hunter can provide!
its a couple hours work for a 3-4 man group working as a team, as opposed to a two full days ordeal for a single hunter

now Id like to hear all the helpfull ideas guys, as to sturdy back packs and helpfull ideas to dressing out ELK

I normally use a block and tackle to hang my elk and altho its not mandatory I feel its worth the trouble, the back pack frame I use is a coleman PEAK II synthetic frame with a CAMO duffle bag sewed on for a large sturdy one compartment pack that has held up well for years

 

[huntducks]

The handyest tool I ever used to cut up a elk was a gas powered sawz all, I even qartered one with a chain saw but it is to messy lots of meat and bone chips.

a portable elec. winch that hooks on your trailer hitch works great back at camp if you bring your elk in whole or QT.

Pillow cases for boned out meat.

Zip ties, ATV, bungee cords, large game sled, all make life easy when dealing with a elk.

I use to use a Moose pack would hold more the 100 pounds.

 

[arizona jim]

340,

I have been told that what I bring elk hunting is over kill, but I use a block & tackle back at camp to hang it in the tree. It is well worth the time to set it up and it is great for skinning & getting it cooled down. As for the pack frame I have a cheap one, but am looking for a better one. In the meantime I have built an "elk cart" to haul the elk out. It has 2 oversize wheel barrow tires for manuverability & traversing rough terrain. It is 7' long & 2 1/2' wide. It has a long tee handle so two people can grab a hold. The handle removes so I can chain it to the Jeep if I can get it close enough and haul it like a trailer.

What I usually do is after field dressing the elk, bump the cart up against a tree and 2 or three of us side the elk up onto the cart. It works pretty good. Getting it back to the camp so I can skin it there, is better than cutting it up and spending all day packing it out. It works well except for in canyons with sheer walls. If we have an incline to pull it up, we can use a pulley with some rope to pull the cart up. One person can steer and the others can pull the rope. It works pretty good and it seems to be worth the effort to pack it up there with me since I don't have a Quad.

 

[FTTPOW]

I use a pack frame made by Bull-pac. It's made in Idaho for elk hunters, by elk hunters. It comes in 3 different sizes to fit the hunter. I found it's well worth the price. You might want to check it out, if you're looking to buy a frame.