How far away from a retrieval area (and I don't mean 4 wheelers) would you kill a cow elk? How far would you pack one that was quartered up and pack it to the truck? Boned out even? This is kinda like a poll, kinda. mtmuley
How far away?
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El Jason
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I’ve packed a couple of cows 3-4 miles one way.
I have also had several of them die either right in or right next to a two track. I like those.
I have also had several of them die either right in or right next to a two track. I like those.
ImBillT
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I’ve never shot a cow elk, but I wouldn’t hesitate to go four miles. That’s a lot of good meat, it’s not easy to come by, and because I’m a non-resident for just about all elk hunting, I would have considerable investment in the hunt. If I had to go four miles in to find a cow instead of keeping my tag, I wouldn’t hesitate. If I had to go farther, I would probably be willing, but I’d certainly try to exhaust my closer to the truck options first. It’s not like seeking out recluse elk for a better age class is going to be particularly rewarding in the case of a cow.
Dan O
Well-known member
So far it's been a mile but who knows about the future. I have always figured if your there then you must feel it's good to shoot.
Dan
Dan
SFC B
Well-known member
The two elk I shot (cow and bull) were +- 2 miles from camp up and over a ridge and down in a hole. I shot them about 30 seconds apart. CPO (who was a few hundred meters away) and I packed meat all day. I got all the rear quarters with some of the loose meat and the head and antlers. It was a pretty long day but well worth it. I slept in the next day 
That’s what most of my elk hunting is
BRI
Well-known member
I find it funny how many people won’t shoot a cow far from the road but would pack a 2.5 year old rag horn for miles. I used to be like that too. 2-3 miles depending on terrain for me any more.
deer_shooter
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My one and only cow was a solo trip and dropped just shy of 3 miles from the truck.
D
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Assuming the weather isn’t a prohibitive factor, i.e. the meat is going to spoil and you are packing meat and not meat + camp.
Assuming a solo packout.
Boned out
5 hours 1 way would probably be my absolute max. You can get a cow elk boned out in in 2 trips. So 15 hours of packing. On a relatively mellow/flat trail/logging road 8-10 miles.
Bone in
3 hours from the truck, assuming it takes 3 trips to get the cow out.
I think 3-4 is a reasonable limit.
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El Jason
Well-known member
elkduds
Well-known member
Because I'm solo I'm hunting within 2 miles of vehicle access, especially if it is Sept or warm Oct. I'll only be 61 this Sept, that is an age where wisdom intrudes on enthusiasm.
ida homer
Well-known member
Even as a whippersnapper, 1.5 miles tops for a cow. They’re close to the road around here.
Raghorn bull, 2 miles max.
290+ bull, no limit. Spike bull, no limit. Calf, no limit. Yummy.
Raghorn bull, 2 miles max.
290+ bull, no limit. Spike bull, no limit. Calf, no limit. Yummy.
Walkathon
Well-known member
I'd say 1.5 miles. My knees aren't great and I'd be packing it out by myself. Furthest I've packed a cow so far has been about 1 mile on the GPS. I've only shot a couple of elk, both cows.
Had a limited entry bull tag one year and some guys roll up in a pickup when I just get back from a hike. They tell me they have a couple cow tags to fill and ask me if I’ve seen any. Told them there was a little herd bedded about half mile away. They informed me that they wouldn’t be shooting one that far from the road as they are not working that hard for a cow. This was not mountain country so was a cake walk of a pack out.
Myself I’m more of a pull the trigger and then kick my ass for doing it type of guy
Myself I’m more of a pull the trigger and then kick my ass for doing it type of guy
wyoelkfan15
Well-known member
My last elk cow was 3-4 miles from the truck and I was solo. Luckily the terrain was downhill on a timber road pretty much from the site of the kill. I had all afternoon to pack so I took out a hind and front in two trips. Twelve miles round trip is tough, but do-able solo.
WyoDoug
Well-known member
Last elk I packed out was 3 1/2 miles from the road. In a ravine. They never seem to die on level ground or close to a road.
ida homer
Well-known member
That's the beauty of mule deer, even if you end up a legit 6 miles from the truck and it's hot, a one trip is do-able. Might suck balls but it's feasible.
