So ive been using the search button and doing a lot of reading over the last couple of weeks. I compiled a list of transporters that people from the forum recommend.

Theres one thing that has come up as a major obstacle. Its having to get the moose out bone in. It seems to me. No matter where your dropped of at, your going to be limited by how far you can tote the quarters. If the moose is a mile off across the valley. How many people can tote a hind quarter that far.
Am I wrong?

You’ll find moose quarters are almost easier to handle with the bones in.

my solution on the last one was to shoot it 200 yds from camp

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder Head:
So ive been using the search button and doing a lot of reading over the last couple of weeks. I compiled a list of transporters that people from the forum recommend.

Theres one thing that has come up as a major obstacle. Its having to get the moose out bone in. It seems to me. No matter where your dropped of at, your going to be limited by how far you can tote the quarters. If the moose is a mile off across the valley. How many people can tote a hind quarter that far.
Am I wrong?

In as many trips as it takes! Think about location before you pull the trigger. A Moose on the ground 6 miles from camp is not for pussies.

Thunder Head,

The solution is easy. Get a transporter to drop you on a lake and don't leave the lake. I lived 22 years in the bush and we shot about 10 moose. Only one did we pack more than 600 yards and at that time we could bone it out. It took two of us 3 trips to pack out that one. Learn to call and bring the moose to you. Do not go tromping around back in the bush spreading your scent all over.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by tsturm:

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder Head:
So ive been using the search button and doing a lot of reading over the last couple of weeks. I compiled a list of transporters that people from the forum recommend.

Theres one thing that has come up as a major obstacle. Its having to get the moose out bone in. It seems to me. No matter where your dropped of at, your going to be limited by how far you can tote the quarters. If the moose is a mile off across the valley. How many people can tote a hind quarter that far.
Am I wrong?

In as many trips as it takes! Think about location before you pull the trigger. A Moose on the ground 6 miles from camp is not for pussies.

Roger that.
A moose for me is 7 trips. 4 legs, the neck, the ribs and the antlers. A bone in rear leg is all I can manage on the pack. I generally won't carry my rifle while packing as I need both hands free for balance, grabbing willow branches, catching myself when I fall, etc,....

I just would generally pass on a bull of any size 6 miles from the mechanical transportation. I of course have the advantage of maybe seeing him next year since I live here, its not a special trip. Even if that weren't the case, I can't see doing (7), six mile trips, 84 miles in total half of the miles being with 120#'s on my back. On rough terrain.

Owwie.

Call them to you, consider where he'll lie down after the shot and then pull the trigger.

That big trophy bull that's just simply out of range ain't a waste. He has and will continue to pass on his genes for you to come pursue in the future.

quote:

just would generally pass on a bull of any size 6 miles from the mechanical transportation. I of course have the advantage of maybe seeing him next year since I live here, its not a special trip. Even if that weren't the case, I can't see doing (7), six mile trips, 84 miles in total half of the miles being with 120#'s on my back. On rough terrain.

A guy needs to take along some 20 yoa packers

Some years ago, a buddy shot a really BIG bull. (65"+) He was lucky enough to get his Track vehicle right up to it. Three of them got it loaded and transported to camp. After he got everything home and the meat hung, it got time to butcher him up. The hind quarter alone weighed 250#. Not sure that moose would have made it in 7 trips if he had to ruck it very far. One guy that I knew took 12 trips. Not a lot of fun.

Quartering a bull of any size is out of the question for me. Legs separated at the shoulder blade and hip ball socket for me.

250 lb. hind quarter. That's my concern. Ive packed out elk quarters. I know a moose quarter is not happening.

I didn't think of Scotts solution. That would at least make things more manageable.

What Scott said. Works much better when it comes time to butcher the moose.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder Head:
250 lb. hind quarter. That's my concern. Ive packed out elk quarters. I know a moose quarter is not happening.

I didn't think of Scotts solution. That would at least make things more manageable.

250#'s on the pack frame isn't happening for any of us.
The footing where you'll dump your bull is frusteratingly, aggravatingly un even. Like I said, I generally pack with my hands free because I fall down. A few years back I killed a really heavy 65" bull and had to cross a beaver pond to get him to the jet boat. The pond was shallow enough to wade, but deep enough to drown in if I fell with the pack on my back to I had to consider the physical process of how I'd get out from under that pack under water in the pond before I started to cross.

Every single friend I've taken moose hunting that has previous experience with elk always says while standing over the recently expired bull moose, "oh wow, these are a lot bigger than elk!"

quote:

Every single friend I've taken moose hunting that has previous experience with elk always says while standing over the recently expired bull moose, "oh wow, these are a lot bigger than elk!"

The best one yet for me " Holy shit now what are we going to do"

We figured 11 trips to pack out an entire Moose. It's hard work for sure. canoe or boat hunting is an option, as you may get one quite close to the river.

quote:

Originally posted by tsturm:

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder Head:
So ive been using the search button and doing a lot of reading over the last couple of weeks. I compiled a list of transporters that people from the forum recommend.

Theres one thing that has come up as a major obstacle. Its having to get the moose out bone in. It seems to me. No matter where your dropped of at, your going to be limited by how far you can tote the quarters. If the moose is a mile off across the valley. How many people can tote a hind quarter that far.
Am I wrong?

In as many trips as it takes! Think about location before you pull the trigger. A Moose on the ground 6 miles from camp is not for pussies.

bring young packers that never seen one in life ....

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

quote:

Originally posted by tsturm:

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder Head:
So ive been using the search button and doing a lot of reading over the last couple of weeks. I compiled a list of transporters that people from the forum recommend.

Theres one thing that has come up as a major obstacle. Its having to get the moose out bone in. It seems to me. No matter where your dropped of at, your going to be limited by how far you can tote the quarters. If the moose is a mile off across the valley. How many people can tote a hind quarter that far.
Am I wrong?

In as many trips as it takes! Think about location before you pull the trigger. A Moose on the ground 6 miles from camp is not for pussies.

Roger that.
A moose for me is 7 trips. 4 legs, the neck, the ribs and the antlers. A bone in rear leg is all I can manage on the pack. I generally won't carry my rifle while packing as I need both hands free for balance, grabbing willow branches, catching myself when I fall, etc,....

I just would generally pass on a bull of any size 6 miles from the mechanical transportation. I of course have the advantage of maybe seeing him next year since I live here, its not a special trip. Even if that weren't the case, I can't see doing (7), six mile trips, 84 miles in total half of the miles being with 120#'s on my back. On rough terrain.

Owwie.

Call them to you, consider where he'll lie down after the shot and then pull the trigger.

That big trophy bull that's just simply out of range ain't a waste. He has and will continue to pass on his genes for you to come pursue in the future. That big trophy bull that's just simply out of range ain't a waste. He has and will continue to pass on his genes for you to come pursue in the future.

plus antler soup is not so tasty ,,,

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

just would generally pass on a bull of any size 6 miles from the mechanical transportation. I of course have the advantage of maybe seeing him next year since I live here, its not a special trip. Even if that weren't the case, I can't see doing (7), six mile trips, 84 miles in total half of the miles being with 120#'s on my back. On rough terrain.

A guy needs to take along some 20 yoa packers A guy needs to take along some 20 yoa packers

a very good and valid point ,,,

1 bull moose on the Alaska pen. Took 3 of us 3 days to get it to the super cub. Great trip! But I think I`ll stop at 1 moose

Not to hijack but a question for Mark/Scott- Why the "bone in" regulation for much of the state? Seems counterproductive.

Moose or elk, doesn't matter.

Neither are that hard to kill, unless you're an amateur or a complete moron, or both.

10mm v. Elk
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8g9fEyRgfGE

And because you can never really see it enough:

10mm v. Moose
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcoiEZxb1rA

A dude who's out and about in the AK bush needs to stay focused ... You never know when O.K.Corral time might happen upon you.

Remember, the last load is the rack. That's an unwieldy, heavy big ass load in itself. What about the hide? So, let's see; You shoot a big Bullwinkle far from camp. Lets assume that you are hunting while wearing your freighter pack frame. You have in the pack a couple of come-a-longs so you can get him in position where you can dress him out. You get him on his back and the hind legs pulled to where you can open him and roll the stuff below the diaphragm out. Did you cut the anise loose so that you can pull the lower intestine out through the pelvis? Remember to leave evidence of sex attached. It will be necessary to get the gut pile away from where you are going to do your butchering. Next comes the diaphragm and all the good stuff Like heart and liver. I was never one to appreciate kidneys, so I let them pass. Now it is time to start taking the meat parts off. Front shoulder, hind leg, even at the pelvis ball. Take off the backstraps. Next is the hump and neck meat, There is a large amount of that. You get what you can that's left in the pelvis area too. Keep in mind that there are two sides to Bullwinkle so the other side is the same as the one you just did. Remember the ribs and tenderloins. Comealong time again. Now is a good time to resharpen your knives. Anyway, you finally get him cut up for packing. That is unless "Bruno" decides he is going to mug you. Then you have a bunch of new decisions to make. So now you have your pack frame to load with say, 120# And a trip to camp or the pick up point. Cover the Carcass with branches and leave your jacket or something that smells like you to help ward off scavengers. You make the first trip out and go back again to the moose to get the next load. Here is a place for the big handgun in a chest rig as you certainly do not want to be burdened with your rifle.
Just some thoughts.

Know your physical limitations. Call them to your point of transportation. Avoid killing them someplace stupid.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Thunder Head:
So ive been using the search button and doing a lot of reading over the last couple of weeks. I compiled a list of transporters that people from the forum recommend.

Theres one thing that has come up as a major obstacle. Its having to get the moose out bone in. It seems to me. No matter where your dropped of at, your going to be limited by how far you can tote the quarters. If the moose is a mile off across the valley. How many people can tote a hind quarter that far.
Am I wrong?

Worth watching...

https://vimeo.com/30516617#t=600s

quote:

Know your physical limitations. Call them to your point of transportation. Avoid killing them someplace stupid.

The older I get the more this applies.

I always tell every body going moose hunting. If you want to find out about shooting a large animal in a tough place.


Go buy a 1000lb steer walk it back a couple miles from the road shoot it. Then pack it out.

If you like that then you can shoot your moose where ever you want.

A couple of the best sounds to hear when you have a large critter on the ground is.

Hearing the horses or the quad getting closer.

But in a lot of wild places one doesn't have those options.

Of course, you could always do a do-it-yourself drift hunt on one of the rivers and shoot the bugger near shore!

Jerry,

There are some significant drawbacks to a float trip but what you said about dropping the moose near water is sage advise. A moose in most cases only needs to be as hard to deal with as the situation you have created.

As for the bone in deal my understanding from the AK, F&G biologist is that it is something the natives have pushed for as a deterrent to wanton waste. I also think it is a finger in the eye to sport hunters by the same group.

Not to take away from Kurtbe's experience but I just would never shoot a moose so far from the pick up point that it takes 3 guys 3 days to pack it out. I guess to be fair I might have done that as a non resident on my first moose but never after I killed the first one. Learn to call, hunt the rut and bring the moose to you. Also use the gutless method of dressing your moose and you'll save yourself a bunch of work.

Mark

I enjoyed this thread greatly as it brought back so many memories. In my 30s, at Fingler Lake in the Alaska Range, we would shoot moose 2-3 miles from the float plane and 2-3 days packing it out. Then it was exercise. Now in my 60s I have shot my last moose three years ago. This fall it's only caribou and maybe a grizzly hide. It costs nothing to hunt up here for a resident over 60 but it's too damn much work. That's why I like Africa so much. I depart tomorrow! The heaviest thing I'll pack is my old .600.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
I enjoyed this thread greatly as it brought back so many memories. In my 30s, at Fingler Lake in the Alaska Range, we would shoot moose 2-3 miles from the float plane and 2-3 days packing it out. Then it was exercise. Now in my 60s I have shot my last moose three years ago. This fall it's only caribou and maybe a grizzly hide. It costs nothing to hunt up here for a resident over 60 but it's too damn much work. That's why I like Africa so much. I depart tomorrow! The heaviest thing I'll pack is my old .600.
Cal

Here Here!!
In 21 days I will never buy a Hunting, Trapping or Fishing license again!

quote:

Originally posted by crane:
Not to hijack but a question for Mark/Scott- Why the "bone in" regulation for much of the state? Seems counterproductive.

I don't think Mark is wrong, but there are some good reasons.

As I think I said, a big moose is an un imaginable task. These aren't big mulies, nor big elk, Roosevelt or otherwise. A big 60's or 70" bull is just its own adventure.

I wouldn't say most, but many tourist hunters aren't prepared and simply are overwhelmed with the size and weight of the quarters or legs they need to haul around. This being true, in some cases meat is left in the field to rot and waste.

"Bone in" has the advantage of a law enforcement fellow being able to more easily identify just how much of the animal was retrieved from the field. Four "bone in" legs can be quickly identified and we all move on.

Another advantage is the hanging and ageing of the meat. It is easy for me to hang "bone in" legs as well as "bone in" ribs. The neck and back straps usually hang and age at least ok boned out but I have to be more careful. Its the small piles of brisket, loins and other assortments that can rot the fastest if left in a pile instead of "bone in" hanging.

quote:

Worth watching...https://vimeo.com/30516617#t=600s

This video is well worth it. They are dealing with a "Mulligan" moose which is quite a bit smaller than 65" BRUISER. Things that you learn is that it is best to have two people working on the job, but only one has a knife at a time. Next is the fact that they brought a tarp and several game bags. Did you notice that when they had one side done, they had used five bags. Lots of good stuff there.
Cal- I am at least a decade older than you so I know of what you speak. The last several years, I enjoy winter Caribou hunts.

The other thing that came up was the fact that there used to be two moose seasons here. Before the rut and then after the rut. Besides rutty bulls taste bad. Lately there is only an early hunt. That and the +50" antler restrictions, I would just as soon "harvest" a spike-fork tasty little guy. The big monster moose are hiding out way beyond the road system and a 1/2 days travel by a quad, (you gotta get back to the gravel pit where you parked.)You need a way to get back where the mo0nsters live. That will involve big bucks for transportation. It just ain't a job for old men. Those of you who can still do this, I wish you all the best.

Scott,

I don't disagree with anything you said but before the "bone in" law Bob D and I shot a moose on the un named river and packed it about a solid mile. By boning out every single morsel we got the whole thing packed out in 3 manageable trips. Of course we weren't too far from home by Super Cub and we took good care of the meat once home so lost none. It is the only one I ever deboned though and I agree whole legs, rib cages and even the whole back do age much better.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:

quote:

Originally posted by crane:
Not to hijack but a question for Mark/Scott- Why the "bone in" regulation for much of the state? Seems counterproductive.

I don't think Mark is wrong, but there are some good reasons.

As I think I said, a big moose is an un imaginable task. These aren't big mulies, nor big elk, Roosevelt or otherwise. A big 60's or 70" bull is just its own adventure.

I wouldn't say most, but many tourist hunters aren't prepared and simply are overwhelmed with the size and weight of the quarters or legs they need to haul around. This being true, in some cases meat is left in the field to rot and waste.

"Bone in" has the advantage of a law enforcement fellow being able to more easily identify just how much of the animal was retrieved from the field. Four "bone in" legs can be quickly identified and we all move on.

Another advantage is the hanging and ageing of the meat. It is easy for me to hang "bone in" legs as well as "bone in" ribs. The neck and back straps usually hang and age at least ok boned out but I have to be more careful. Its the small piles of brisket, loins and other assortments that can rot the fastest if left in a pile instead of "bone in" hanging.

Absolutely. It also minimizes waste. Every time you cut open the meat you expose it to bacteria and you also lose a crust of meat that must be cut away and thrown out when the animal is processed. If bone in you lose none from the interior. Also, I agree that the size and scope of the task of taking apart and packing a moose is beyond most people's understanding. I would add that meat care, the work and preparation necessary, is also frequently underestimated and perhaps nearly an after thought. Loose bags of meat are at risk for staying wet and spoiling. It's also a hell of a lot easier to hang and dry a crust on the exterior when bone in.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by BrettAKSCI:
Know your physical limitations. Call them to your point of transportation. Avoid killing them someplace stupid.

Brett

These words should be tattooed on Biebs forehead

Mike

Mike, I don't mind shooting them way back in the bush, but I do get tired watching the packers lug all that meat back to camp :-)

Step Number 1... Don't gut the Bull!

99% of the time they are laying on their side when they die. Depending on the terrain and how he's laying, skin him from the back bone or belly. Take off the shoulder, HQ at the ball joint, back strap, neck meat. Roll him over onto a clean tarp. Do the same thing on the other side. Bone off the rib meat, get the tenderloins and whatever part of the guts you like to eat.

6 large game bags plus one for any guts you might want to eat.

I've done over 20 of them this way, 4 or 5 by myself. I'll never gut one.

Don't shoot him if you aren't willing to pack him!

always gut them but who im to say so lol ...

quote:

Originally posted by medved:
always gut them but who im to say so lol ...

You've never tried the gutless method? Do you hunt with big equipment?

I've got friends that hunt with track rigs (small Bombardiers) and trailers rigged with booms/winches. They knock one down, gut it, quarter it leave the hide on, go get the track rig, drive to the moose where ever it is, load the quarters in the trailers with the boom/winch. Haul it back to camp, hang the quarters and skin em hanging. Great way to do it if you have the equipment. They also have a butchers meat saw so they can cut t-bones! I don't have big equipment, atv and a small meat wagon.

Snyd,

I agree on the gutless method. If you only have a couple of sharp knives, an Estwing axe and bone saw for cutting the horns off gutting the moose only makes for a big mess and makes your job much harder.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Mike, I don't mind shooting them way back in the bush, but I do get tired watching the packers lug all that meat back to camp :-)

See, the Biebs dude has it all dailed in right here.

After the kill shot, the strenuous work of "gutting-n-lugging-out" is a chore best left to the local Eskimos or perhaps those 'Last Alaskan'-types.

Why?

Well, first, these subsistence folks need the cash, not to mention some portion of the eatable meat (should you choose to share any); and second, the locals have likely done such skinning and boning a bazillion times already, and thus will be able to do it quicker and more efficiently than you, a rich white dude from the lower 48.

So, while all this boning and gutting work is taking place, you should be sitting on a log or tree stump taking it all in while you enjoy that double-shot hot toddy your guide has prepared to celebrate a most successful Moose, Elk, Caribou (or whatever) kill.

quote:

Originally posted by A.J. Hydell:

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Mike, I don't mind shooting them way back in the bush, but I do get tired watching the packers lug all that meat back to camp :-)

See, the Biebs dude has it all dailed in right here.

After the kill shot, the strenuous work of "gutting-n-lugging-out" is a chore best left to the local Eskimos or perhaps those 'Last Alaskan'-types.

Why?

Well, first, these subsistence folks need the cash, not to mention some portion of the eatable meat (should you choose to share any); and second, the locals have likely done such skinning and boning a bazillion times already, and thus will be able to do it quicker and more efficiently than you, a rich white dude from the lower 48.

So, while all this boning and gutting work is taking place, you should be sitting on a log or tree stump taking it all in while you enjoy that double-shot hot toddy your guide has prepared to celebrate a most successful Moose, Elk, Caribou (or whatever) kill.

AJ: newsflash for those who have never hunted AK...packers are young white guys who are doing it to someday become a guide.