Elk Hunting PACKOUT Tips | How to Survive the Grind After the Kill

Elk Hunting PACKOUT Tips | How to Survive the Grind After the Kill

The Elk Packout: Mastering the Grind That Defines the Hunt

There’s a part of elk hunting that tests you more than any stalk, any shot, and any mile in the mountains—and that’s the packout. It’s the moment the celebration fades and reality sets in. The hunt isn’t over when the bull hits the ground—it’s only halfway done. What happens next will challenge every ounce of your grit, discipline, and respect for the animal.

This post breaks down how to master every part of the packout: the mental game, essential gear, smart load management, navigating brutal terrain, staying safe, planning ahead, and finally—recovering, reflecting, and appreciating what the grind truly means.

The Packout Mental Game

It doesn’t matter how strong you are, how dialed your setup looks, or how good your pack is—if your head isn’t right, the packout will break you. I’ve seen it happen over and over. Guys celebrate the kill like it’s the finish line, only to realize it’s the starting line for the hardest part of the hunt.

The first mindset shift is simple but critical: the packout isn’t separate from the hunt—it is the hunt. When your arrow or bullet connects, your mission changes, but it doesn’t get easier. You’re still hunting—only now it’s against time, weather, and your own limits.

You have to flip from adrenaline to endurance, from excitement to discipline. Expect multiple trips—four, five, maybe six depending on terrain and distance. That’s not failure. That’s the process. If you accept that grind from the start, every trip becomes one more step toward the finish line instead of a punishment.

It’s going to hurt. Your legs will burn, your shoulders will ache, and your lungs will protest every step. But your body will go where your mind tells it to. Train your brain to expect the suffering before it arrives, and you’ll meet it head-on instead of folding under it.

Preparation starts before season. I train for the suck. Not just with weights or running, but by loading a heavy pack and hiking in the heat, rain, and fatigue. That way, when the real packout hits, my brain’s already been there.

In the moment, break the task down. Don’t think about 25 total miles of hauling—focus on one ridge, one switchback, one step. Stack small victories until the job’s done. And above all, know why you’re doing it.

For me, it’s respect for the animal. I owe that bull every pound of meat. That sense of responsibility turns pain into purpose. The packout is what separates those who hunt for photos from those who hunt with integrity.

Essential Gear for Elk Packouts

Your gear won’t carry the load for you—but it should work with you, not against you. I’ve watched hunters destroy themselves trying to haul 100 pounds with the wrong setup. The right equipment doesn’t make weight disappear, but it makes it possible.

Start with the foundation: your pack. A solid pack and frame system isn’t optional. You don’t need the trendiest name out there, but you do need a rigid frame, a suspension system that pushes weight into your hips, and load lifters that keep the meat tight to your back. The further that weight rides out, the harder it pulls you off balance.

Trekking poles are non-negotiable. They turn you into a four-wheel-drive machine, take pressure off your knees, and keep you upright on steep descents, creek crossings, and blowdown.

Boots are another make-or-break item. Lightweight hikers might be fine for scouting, but under 100 pounds of meat, you’ll wish you had ankle support and stiff soles. Every step compounds. Weak boots make five miles feel like fifty.

Headlamps—bring two. One on your head, one as backup. Most packouts run into the night, and a dead battery in the dark can turn dangerous fast.

Gloves protect your hands from straps, antlers, brush, and blowdown. A simple leather-palmed pair saves you from hours of bleeding knuckles.

Paracord or straps are small items that make a big difference. They stabilize awkward loads, tie down capes or antlers, and prevent shifting that can dump you mid-slope.

And finally, pack your load smart. Keep the heaviest items high and tight to your spine. If you’re carrying a quarter, the thickest part should ride up, not down. A balanced load doesn’t just save your energy—it can save your hunt.

Smart Load Management Strategies

Even the strongest hunter fails without a smart plan. The packout is a marathon of decisions—how much to carry, what to take first, when to rest.

Rule number one: don’t overload your first trip. That adrenaline surge tricks you into thinking you can power through it all. Then you blow your back or knees, and the next four trips turn into misery.

Carry what you can manage consistently, not what you can muscle through once. Take your heaviest loads first—usually hind quarters or hind plus backstraps—so each trip gets a little easier.

For most hunters, 60–100 pounds is the safe range. You’re not saving time by overloading—you’re gambling with your body.

If you’re solo, grind steady with manageable loads. If you’ve got a partner, rotate weight and take turns.

Antlers and capes deserve strategy too. Secure antlers to your frame with points angled out safely. Don’t sling them over your shoulders like a rodeo trophy. For capes, roll them tight, strap them flat, and keep them close to your back.

Decide early on bone-in or boned-out. Bone-out saves weight but can be slippery to pack. Bone-in is heavier but more stable. In hot weather or long hauls, bone-out makes sense. In cooler temps or short distances, bone-in is easier and safer.

And finally—pace yourself. Hydrate, stretch, and take short breaks. You’re not racing anyone. The goal isn’t just getting meat to the truck—it’s getting there uninjured and ready to hunt again.

Navigating Tough Terrain

Most elk don’t die near roads. Packouts happen in the steep, tangled country that punishes every mistake.

Uphill under load burns, but downhill breaks people. Shorten your steps, control your speed, and use your poles. Think controlled descent, not free fall.

Sidehilling with weight shifts your center of gravity. One bad foot placement can twist your ankle or knee instantly. If possible, climb or drop to safer ground—even if it adds distance.

Blowdown is a patience test. Three points of contact, deliberate steps, no shortcuts. If the country’s a maze of timber, plan alternate routes before you commit.

Creek crossings can be deadly with 100 pounds on your back. Cross where the current slows or the water spreads wide. When in doubt, hang the meat and come back when it’s safe.

Night packouts are their own beast. Bring a strong headlamp and backup, mark your route on GPS or with flagging, and if terrain turns too dangerous, stop. Pride isn’t worth a broken leg or worse.

The shortest route isn’t always the best route. Pick the path that balances safety, efficiency, and endurance. Elk know the easiest ways through country—sometimes it’s smart to follow their trails home.

Safety and Injury Prevention on Packouts

This is where most injuries happen—when adrenaline fades and fatigue sets in. Respect that truth or the mountain will humble you fast.

Learn to recognize the difference between discomfort and danger. Burning legs and sore shoulders are normal. Sharp pain in your knees, spasms, or instability are red flags. Push through discomfort, but stop before injury.

Lift smart. Bend your knees, keep your back straight, and use your legs. Don’t swing loads or jerk packs onto your shoulders. If you have a partner, help each other—there’s no ego in safety.

Hydrate constantly. Dehydration leads to poor coordination and cramps. Electrolytes are essential. So is food—trail mix, bars, anything that keeps your energy steady.

Rest intentionally. Five-minute breaks every half hour can save you hours of pain later. Stretch, loosen up, reset your focus.

And don’t forget communication. Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Most packout accidents happen because hunters misjudge time or terrain.

You owe it to the animal—and to yourself—to get home in one piece.

Planning the Packout Before the Shot

The best packouts start long before the shot. Smart hunters plan for it during e-scouting and on-the-ground scouting.

When I’m looking at maps, I’m not just marking wallows or glassing knobs. I’m marking exit routes. Where’s the nearest ridge spine? What’s the slope like? Are there cliffs or blowdowns that could trap me?

If a bull is living in a spot that looks dangerous to access or extract from, I make a note: that’s a last-resort kill zone. Sometimes the right call is passing a shot because the recovery would be unsafe.

Ask yourself before you shoot: Can I get him out safely from here? If the answer’s no, you already know what to do.

Camp placement matters too. Deep camps sound great until you’re eight miles in and still loading quarters. Sometimes it’s smarter to camp closer to access and hike farther to hunt.

Plan cache spots halfway back to hang loads in shade if the haul’s long. Mark your routes and use natural landmarks or flagging so fatigue doesn’t cost you time or meat.

A great hunt ends with meat in the freezer—not regret on the mountain.

Recovery, Reflection, and Appreciation

When that final load hits the truck, the relief is real—but the work’s not done. Recovery is part of the hunt.

Stretch. Rehydrate. Refuel with real food—protein and carbs, not junk. Sleep like your life depends on it, because next week’s hunt or packout might.

Take time to reflect. What went right? Where did you struggle? Did your gear hold up? Every packout is a lesson in efficiency, endurance, and humility.

And don’t forget appreciation. That pain, that suffering, that grind—it’s what makes elk hunting sacred. Those long, miserable miles forge memories you’ll never forget.

If I could go back and have one more packout with my oldest son, I’d trade anything for it. Those moments of shared suffering are what we live for.

Celebrate the bull, the effort, and the respect you showed in finishing the job. Because when the soreness fades, the pride never does.

The packout is where toughness turns into character—and that’s what separates the hunters who simply take pictures from the ones who live relentless.

Closing Thoughts & TEAM BACKBONE

If you want to keep sharpening that edge and taking this kind of knowledge deeper, that’s exactly why I built TEAM BACKBONE.

It’s more than a membership—it’s a way to sharpen your edge with exclusive tools, strategies, and a tribe of hunters who refuse to quit. Inside, you’ll get:

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If you’re ready to train harder, hunt smarter, and surround yourself with a tribe that makes you better—TEAM BACKBONE is waiting at BackboneUnlimited.com under the membership tab.

Thanks for being here. Until next time, Train Harder, Hunt Smarter, and Never Settle.

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