I've always wondered what guys who hunt elk with large fanny packs (i.e. Bison Packs, KOM fannies, etc.) do when they shoot something? Do you walk all the way back to get the pack frame for your first haul? Just wondering how it's done. thanks
Cane Knife,
In 2006 that's what we did. We weren't on a back-country hunt. When the elk was down we went to the truck, drove to camp, and returned with pack frames.
On a back country hunt we left pack frames in main camp and carried fannies. If we had killed an elk (we didn't) we would have returned to camp.
I hunt with a dwight schuh pack. It is quiet and carries all I need. I also go up to 4 miles from the truck. When I get one I haul out a load with it. I have had over 100 pounds in it before. Gary
I have the bison explorer with the expandable sack. A few years back I carried out the two hind quarters, backstraps, and antlers of a mule deer. My friend, who a shot the buck, carried out the front quarters. When an elk is taken, I take out the backstraps on the way out then go rent horses and pack out the elk on them. I have helped many others pack out their elk but that was when I had horses. Now, if somebody wants help packing out an elk I offer the number to Jake's horses, it just isn't worth my time when they will take four horses, trail in two packer horses while you and the wrangler ride in to the elk, he packs the elk on the pack horses, and then you both ride out leading the horses. All for four hundred bucks.
Im a fan of small packs, just enought to carry everything you need and some extra clothing. Usually leave the pack frame in the truck. But I have carried a quarter out going to get the pack. If you hunt in an area that has access, we used a heavy duty game cart this year with great succes.