Harvesting a trophy buck is an exciting moment in your hunting expedition. But do you know about packing out big game animals?
The adventure doesn’t stop when you successfully pull the trigger. No, in fact, the work is just beginning! Rarely are the best hunting locations close to trails, roads, parking lots, most civilizations, or any convenient spot. While less convenient, these special hunting areas allow you to enjoy the quiet open-air and the opportunity to harvest big game animals. So, packing out your harvest is more than likely required.
Learn more about this process below.
Methods for Packing Out After Hunting
There are several methods you can use to pack out your harvest after a successful hunt:
Horses or Mules — When you picture a hunter tending to deer or elk, you likely imagine some sort of pack animal carrying the load. Pack animals, such as horses or mules, are efficient beasts, as they can carry close to 20% of their body weight. While these animals can be helpful, they can also be intimidating creatures that require skill to handle. Both hunters and animals will need proper training before taking care of your harvest.
Off-Road Vehicles — Off-road vehicles, such as UTVs or ATVs, are great options when hauling your harvest off the mountain. They do the heavy lifting and work for you, carry a large amount of meat, and many hunters already have one. While a popular choice among hunters, they do come with some drawbacks. UTV and other off-road vehicles are noisy and take away your ability to surprise or sneak up on your prey. Moreover, some hunting areas do not allow these vehicles on the land.
Man Power — The most common and least expensive method to pack out meat is on foot. This method requires physical strength and ability. Because of this, year-round fitness training may be necessary. Thankfully, today’s market offers many backpack options specifically designed for packing out meat. In addition to the financial savings, many hunters today prefer to pack out on foot because of the sense of accomplishment it gives. Just make sure to invest in a comfortable pair of boots.
Other Methods — Some remote locations like Canada or Alaska will require you to pack out your harvest in another method, such as a plane or boat because they lack nearby roads or highways. Boats, planes, and any other unconventional method allows you to hunt in otherwise un-huntable areas. Of course, these methods require additional funds and accommodations.
Contact R & K Hunting Company
Packing out your harvest is a small price to pay for months and months of tasty, healthy, and organic meat in your freezer. As your season comes to a close and you’ve packed out your harvest this season, it’s time to think about next year! Book an exciting Rocky Mountain hunting adventure with the experts at R & K Hunting Company. Let us take the headaches and hassles of planning and prepping so that you can focus on landing your next harvest. Contact us today!