|
|
Post by Reaper on Dec 19, 2009 7:23:46 GMT -5
The snow actually pushed these guys down off the Mogollon Rim. It was deeper up there and started the migration to the lower elevations. We didn't see elk move during or for a few hours after the storm, but I glassed up some muley does with about 2 inches of snow on their back just grazing along not a care in there world. As for the ATV, we were REAL lucky!!! With my 3x4 last year, we had to quarter that dude just to get it to the quad. If we had of had to do that this time, I would have just dressed and skinned mine and left him in the snow to cool overnight and hope the coyotes and bears were nice to me!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 9:50:19 GMT -5
Very nice  Ster |
|
royden
Senior Board Member
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by royden on Dec 19, 2009 10:15:01 GMT -5
I know what you mean about bears  ... I carry a small rope 4/1 hoist and 30' of rope with me just in case I have to leave the meat over night - I'll find a tree or better yet a hung up blowdown and let 'em swing. Almost always I have had to quarter  but two were on a steep hill and I was able to pull 'em down to the pick-up in the snow - tends to be interesting cause once they start to slide ... they might not stop even after they slide over me  |
|
|
|
Post by vixenmaster on Dec 19, 2009 19:52:02 GMT -5
Congrats on yer Bulls, good story & ended up a great hunt.
|
|
|
|
Post by Reaper on Dec 19, 2009 23:29:16 GMT -5
Thanks V.
Royden, I was all for just dressin and skinning and leaving them over night. But since this is my brothers first bull, and all of the trials and tribulations, he was bound and determined to get his out. The little ridge was also hurting for tall enough trees, but even with all the cold and work we still can't complain since we didn't have to quarter them and pack 'em out!!Speaking of sliding on snow, we ended up lifting the racks as high as we could and tying them to the back rack on the quad and they slid on the snowy hump in between the quad tracks. Worked pretty slick too. I think next time though I need to come up with a better plan! Like maybe have my OWN quad!
|
|
royden
Senior Board Member
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by royden on Dec 20, 2009 0:20:48 GMT -5
you just can't get a better plan than killing an elk where you can get to it with your own ATV |
|
|
|
Post by Reaper on Dec 20, 2009 5:43:01 GMT -5
Can I get an AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!! For me AND my brother, elk hunting was a life changing experience BUT that is a LOT of animal to pack out!!! With my elk last year, I shot it at about 8:30 or 9:00ish. We had to dress, skin, quarter and pack it a little ways to the quad. As we were putting the ramp up on the quad trailer it was getting dark!! But it is most definately a labor of love!! Now I just gotta get my own quad!
|
|
royden
Senior Board Member
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by royden on Dec 20, 2009 9:43:17 GMT -5
;D
If I was so lucky as to hunt an area that is quad friendly and where quads were allowed I would definitly have one. However, they are not allowed behind gates or off-road here so... it is the two shank mares for me. Farthest I have packed an elk is 5 miles, this year was two trips of roughly 120# each boned out. 3 miles from pickup. shot him at 1215. Was in the pick-up heading home at just a little after 1800. (most of the packing was done on a closed road - thank goodness for roads even if they are closed)
|
|
|
|
Post by Reaper on Dec 20, 2009 9:59:30 GMT -5
Wow, riding the shoe leather express gets rough sometimes!!
|
|
... I carry a small rope 4/1 hoist and 30' of rope with me just in case I have to leave the meat over night - I'll find a tree or better yet a hung up blowdown and let 'em swing. Almost always I have had to quarter 
but two were on a steep hill and I was able to pull 'em down to the pick-up in the snow - tends to be interesting cause once they start to slide ... they might not stop even after they slide over me 
