Looking for a little help...

[Ksholle1]

Hey Guys,
I\'ve been a silent follower of this forum for awhile now. Was told to check out this place from a guy I met through bowsite. I am from eastern PA, and will be heading west in this September to chase elk for the second time. I hunted in the Routt National Forest in Sept. 2015 for about 10 days. This year I will be returning to the area I was in, but alone. Before I went with two of my buddies, but since I will be alone I was wondering if anyone knew of any meat packers in the area near Walden. I don\'t know if I will need to use a meat packer, but being alone I want to have all my bases covered. I haven\'t decided if I will be returning to the exact spot of my last hunt, but I know I will be in the 14, 16, 161 area. If no one can point me in the direction of someone they know, where would be the best place to find someone who will pack meat out in that area? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[WW]

wELKome to BTO :thewave: :welcome: I don\'t know much about the Walden area but I know a guy in Mo. that hunts west of Cowdry. I\'d like to send you his phone # but they have some sort of a silly rule that you can\'t PM until you make at least 5 post. But, I\'ll give it a try anyhow. Hope it works!

 

[Ksholle1]

I got the message. Thank you, I appreciate it! Does he just hunt out in that Area or does he also pack meat out for hunters?

 

[cnelk]

Welcome ksholle!

Im pretty familiar with the Walden area.
Be hunting up there for 25+ years.

Ive hunted in those areas you mentioned and I didnt have a need for a meat packer.
It may take a bit longer to get in/out but really its an added cost.

I dont know of any \'packers\' per se in that area, But if you\'re looking to have a horse, I would contact Sombrero Ranch and rental a horse for the season
$575

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A packer is gonna charge you a couple hundred at least, and if you had your own horse all season, your options may be bigger and better

Thanks for joining up!

Brad

 

[Ksholle1]

I mean I am 27 and In pretty good shape. The areas I have hunted in around Walden were not that extreme by my standards anyway. I know it will take some time, just thought it couldn\'t hurt to see if anyone had any info! I appreciate the info and advice!

 

[cohunter14]

Welcome Ksholle!!!

 

[Ksholle1]

Thanks Cohunter14!

 

[bnsafe]

welcome, just fyi i packed mine out myself at 44 yrs old. just get in shape and go for it. its doable. now if your plannin on packin in 5 miles it may not be.

 

[Ksholle1]

Yea I understand. I plan on packing it out myself just didnt think it would hurt to ask just in case! I shouldn\'t be more than 3 miles in so I should be ok

 

[colorado russ]

Welcome to the site. Don\'t blame you for looking at alternatives/options as \"stuff\" happens regardless of your conditioning!

If anyone on here knows of a packer, they\'ll chime in. Otherwise, you might keep Sombrero\'s info handy when up scouting and go by and chat with them. They may know someone.

 

[WW]

Legal Packers or registered with the National Forest office in the area they service. The NF for the area you want to hunt should be able to provide a list of packers. Each packer is restricted to certain areas and can not infringe on anothers area.

Also, if you are not an experienced horseman, DO NOT rent horses. I\'m not saying the horse you get is going to be bad. But, if you don\'t know how to handle one, you could be looking for a rodeo. If you think you know how to ride, bring your own saddle. The equipment they provide is junk for the most part. Just makes good since. If you have a thousand bucks worth of leather on a bronc, you\'ll take better care of that horse so he will take care of your saddle!

Another couple of tips for you: #1: When renting a horse, if they ask how much you weigh, tell them not over 165# or you may end up with a draft horse. I\'ve seen this many times at the NF campground I used to be the host at.

Tip #2: Tell them you know how to ride but you ain\'t no cowboy! Let them know you are paying them for a good horse. You are not payin to break horses for them!

I worked at a NF campground for several years and I also own my own horses. So I pretty much know what I\'m talking about. I\'ve seen many rental horses come and go from that campground. I also know the packer that serviced the area. And I know many of the problems he encountered.

Another tip is to have your elk quartered and ready to pack out when the packer arrives or he will charge extra if he has to do it for you. Also, give him the GPS location and flag the area if you are not going to be there when he arrives.