Splitting elk meat

[mtmuley]

Hunting solo fills the freezer faster I guess. mtmuley

 

[nrpate05]

It's a good question and can be looked at from different angles. When I lived in Wyoming and had 2 months of rifle season to fill a tag, myself and hunting partners always each filled at least one elk tag and an antelope tag or two. I live in Colorado now and only get a few days to hunt elk with a couple other people with the same tag. We know going in that we probably won't fill every tag, so its expected that we split whatever we get. I shot a mule deer on a solo hunt this year and they don't expect me to share the meat nor would I expect that from them. No right or wrong answer I suppose

 

[jtm307]

Ive never split an elk with anyone. Might be because resident cow tags are cheap and easy enough to fill that anyone who kinda tries a little will shoot their own.

ditto

I would never refuse meat to a buddy who asked, but splitting meat just isn’t a thing.

 

[ashersdad]

I had never split up meat until I got invited to hunt with 2 older guys about 10 years ago here in Oregon. They have horses and a great camp and told me up front they always split up the meat. Worked fine for me.

Now 10 years later I’m still hunting with them. They’re both in their 70’s now and it’s harder for them to fill their tags so I’m more than happy to share if I tag a bull. Of course I usually have elk already in the freezer from other out of state hunts between me and my sons.

 

[Schaaf]

I’ve put myself through a few miserable pack outs just to keep the meat to myself.

 

[SG25]

I think it truly depends on the situation and who you are hunting with. I had a buddy who asked me to go up to Oregon to help him fill his tag/ be a pack mule. He said in return he would give me some of the elk meat. I would never expect him to and I would have done it just for the love of elk hunting and memories.

 

[dgc1963]

It depends on the situation I would think. IM bringing some old friends for their 1st archery elk trip in 2020 and we already talked bout sharing some of the meat we live in Pa. and go to Idaho so we dont have the chance to keep hunting through the season just the week and a half scheduled so lets say if we get to fill a tag or 2 then everyone can have some great memories and some great meat too
IMO sharing the work and the meat is a good way to go

 

[noharleyyet]

It’s not complicated for 3 or 4 non residents sharing expenses & fellowship. Everyone gets equal. Never had a problem. Bad actors don't get an invite.

 

[Slm864]

We have always shared the meat. Even if it means just a few pounds of burger. After a grueling pack out, nothing is more satisfying than a couple burgers on the grill the following summer to remind you of the hard work put in.

 

[2rocky]

I'd be more likely to split meat if the people were there to help cut, wrap and grind.
I've split meat among the tagholders in the group. Especially if it is their only tag and they came up empty.
I wouldn't expect meat in return for helping spot, pack and and camp. If I bring my stock then they certainly could help me with a few bags of weed free pellets. But i would also kick in for my share of food and camp.

 

[thomas89]

Went 50/50 with a guy I killed a cow with once.

Gave another guy a few grocery sacks worth of cut/wrapped meat who helped me pack out a bull. He definitely seemed appreciative.

Shot a cow solo and was pretty happy to have it all to myself.

 

[LuketheDog]

I guess with me it depends on how much meat everyone packs out. Had a guy this fall who showed up in time to see a bull get killed but didn't really help field dress it, and didn't carry any meat, and apparently is still expecting some for his freezer, not sure how to handle it? I always spread a few pounds around to people who don't hunt or didn't kill anything though...

 

[RobG]

I split it with whoever helps me cut it up and pack it out.

 

[rjthehunter]

I guess it would depend. If me and a buddy went out west together and hunted together and only got 1, I'd definately share. If we went out there and hunted separately, I'd give him some but probably not half. If he shot 4 times then I took his rifle and shot it, I'd give him a roast lol. But if there was a group of us, I wouldn't split it. I'd make a meal of it for them but I'm not gonna give most of it up, and I certainly wouldn't expect them to give me a bunch.

 

[Spedray]

I hunt with the same friends for three months. I always have extra meat so every Friday i make a crockpot of game meat to eat once we set up camp. I have breakfast burritos premade for mornings and supply one other meal of game meat during the trip. I have hunted with these guys for many years and never once gave them meat. But we each shot animals every year and split cost on everything involved in these trips. It has never been brought up before and I have never even thought of asking this question. I can definitely understand though if it was a out of state hunt though where you can't hunt more than a week or so.

 

[Sytes]

Typically split it up. Not really a 50/50 deal. More-so, processing done by a butcher. 50 shooter, the rest split by those who were involved in the pack out. Everyone ponies up the $ for processing.
Often it's just one other and myself. 50/50 w/ a # price based on what we want.

NHY's comment to discuss beforehand is spot on. It's common knowledge for my partner and I though a simple yammering on the road or in camp first day sets it informally - and law is written.

 

[Duck-Slayer]

Never really in this position much.... I have shared a half blackstrap and a roast or two. I’ve never expected any meat for helping..... that’s not the reason I’m doing it! Example from this year, got everything back to camp, the next day I was asked what I wanted for meat.... my reply was whatever you want to give me, I wasn’t expecting anything. Not my elk.
Matt

 

[Hem]

A favor given is a favor earned...I like to think.
Seems to work itself out most times.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I’ve never split meat or had meat split with me for packing out.

Agree with those above as long as expectations were made clear from the get go I would have no problem dividing up the meat to some degree.

 

[JoMo]

Sounds like everyone has their own way and it mostly works. Set clear expectations from the get go. We always split meat 50:50 for folks who hunt the whole time together and help each other pack it out. If someone comes/goes for a day or just the pack out, they get some but not an even split. Personally, I love it and it helps create a pretty great community feel. I must be a socialist at heart...