How far in do you backpack?

I put on the pack frame, strapped by 5 year old son to the back and hiked to the end of the road and back. Getting ready for the season! lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hoytnut

I went in 15 mi.s on one trip, but I didn't kill anything. I had my chances, but passed due to the size and location of the animals. I think every responsible hunter needs to assess his own ability and then weigh out what capability he has to ethically get that animal out. For every hunter and animal killed this will likely be different. I've personally witnessed too many hunters wasting game because they killed the animal in a tight spot or rough area and I've always promised myself that I would avoid doing the same. Therefore, when I hunt I always keep in the back of my mind whether or not I can get the animal out successfully if I kill it.

---

This is spot on. I have even seen hunters who do not pack in waste animals because they went to far from their main camp or truck.

Depends on hunting pressure; avg. for me is 1to 10 miles from road. I took my best mulie buck to date in '08 becuase I "got back in" away from the other hunters.I packed him out 13 miles on my back and no I didn't waste any meat and it was one of the best eating deer I've had in years.It's the hunters responsibility to take the proper care for the animal that they harvest and I hate hunters who waste any meat!
The buck I ended up nicknaming "Fish hook" due to a kicker that looks like a fishhook scored 163 3/8 gross.
And yes I'd due it agian

There is a limit to what I will do... an area I hunt a lot has an area outside my comfort zone. I know there are animals in there, but on my solo trips it's just too dang hard to get them out of there alone... without an extraction plan or help, you would waste a lot of the animal by killing it too far away.... I myself will let them walk if I get that far away.

Usually 6 to 8 miles is about as far as I go alone...

I think you have to consider more than just miles too... weather conditions can play a big part of the situation too.... if you were 3 or 4 miles out and you killed a big bull and it was 85 degrees out... you'd have a big problem there too...

It's probably different for each hunter.... know your limits.

Farthest I've pack is 17 miles for dall sheep in AK. Out west anywhere from 3 to 8 miles mostly when solo. If I get a deer I bone it out completely 1 trip. An elk will take me 2-3 trips solo boned out. Horses would be nice but I don't like the hassle of dealing with them. Hiring a packer would be a good idea but I'm afraid they'll know my good hunting spots and then everyone knows. I always come back later to get my camp last.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hoytnut

Therefore, when I hunt I always keep in the back of my mind whether or not I can get the animal out successfully if I kill it.

---

Good words to live by

It always sounds nice; going in light and deep and coming out heavy- but its that heavy part that can never be underestimated, especially if you hunt solo. If the pack into a backcountry unit seems difficult, wait till the adrenaline wears off and you have yourself to thank for the heavy load of meat and gear on your back, with more of the same over the course of a few days of packing, unless you get help or hunt with a buddy. This is not a threat or warning, its a promise. Pride can occasionally take a backseat to the reality of a grim hunting dilemma: Will that meat hung up in the tree spoil before I can get it out? Honor your kill; know your limitations and vary them accordingly to the situation.

Dang, I'll be 6-8 miles back and I know I'll have a good set of chores to get the meat out without spoiling. I'll be cooling in water tight bags in a stream for a spell to buy myself some extra time as well.

++ on cooling in the stream.