GEAR
Everything You Need to Pack an Elk Out of the Woods
by Brad Fenson
Miles from the truck with a winter storm bearing down, the bull appeared in a small meadow. I quickly got prone, took a range and squeezed the trigger, watching as the bull took a couple of steps before going down. As I approached, the reality of the work ahead hit me, but fortunately I was confident in the gear I’d chosen to haul out antlers and hundreds of pounds of meat.
When hunting elk, your success in the field doesn’t end with the shot. And with the many situations you may encounter in the woods, it is critical to have versatile and dependable gear to make processing and packing as safe and comfortable as possible. Here are a few of my favorites that are more than up to the task.
One of the most important parts of hunting elk is taking good care of the meat, but quartering such a large animal can be a major challenge. With all the gear options out there to break an elk down, these are always in my hunting pack.
In the field, a sharp knife isn’t just a matter of convenience; it’s critical for safety, speed and precision. The Montana Knife Company Field Knife Sharpener is priced at $30 and built for hunters who can’t afford to slow down or make mistakes when peeling elk meat from bone. Master Bladesmith Josh Smith worked closely with Work Sharp to design the perfect sharpener built for hunters.
Compact and weighing just 2.6 ounces, this sharpener is easy to pack and rugged enough to handle the demands of any hunt. The tool is engineered for fast and reliable sharpening, featuring multiple angle guides and both diamond and ceramic grits that help fine-tune your blade for a professional-grade edge. A textured grip ensures solid control while wet or bloody, and the built-in broadhead wrench adds versatility for multitasking in the backcountry.
Designed specifically for hunters who demand performance without added weight, the Gerber Exo-Mod Series ensures you’re ready for anything in elk country.
The system offers a lightweight trio of tools for years of processing game. The Drop Point Knife ($45) is built for general field dressing and larger cuts; the Caper Knife ($39) excels in precision control for delicate skinning and detailed work; and the Exo-Mod Pack Saw ($42) is rugged and fast-cutting, perfect for splitting bone or clearing limbs. All three blades are made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and fitted with either black or orange high-visibility, rubberized handles. The knives also feature custom jimping along the spine for better finger control, making them perfect for making confident, clean cuts when every movement matters.
The Schrade Isolate Enrage 7 is a precision knife built for hunters who demand a sharp edge, reliability and adaptability when every ounce and every cut counts. At the heart of the Enrage 7 is its razor-sharp 2.6-inch blade, designed with the same technology that has made Rage one of the best-selling broadheads in hunting. Its 4.25-inch full-size handle features a non-slip design, providing a confident grip in cold, wet or bloody conditions. Whether navigating around heavy bone or tackling fine detail work, this knife provides surgical precision with the option to quickly swap out blades, ensuring you always have a fresh edge ready.
On top of having a lightweight, compact and exceptionally sharp knife, hunters will appreciate the Schrade Enrage 7’s value at $43.99. Every purchase includes three free months of onX Elite, giving hunters mapping tools to complement their gear with unmatched terrain awareness.
Not all game bags are created equal; the Montana Canvas Game Bag proves it. Made in the USA from premium, 10-ounce untreated canvas, it’s an extreme-performance tool built for hunters who demand the highest standard in field care.
The heavy-duty canvas construction allows airflow to naturally cool your meat while protecting it from insects and dirt. At 29 inches wide and 44 inches deep, each bag is generously sized to hold a whole deer or an elk quarter. The attached top-tie closure makes securing your meat quick and hassle-free.
But what sets the Montana Canvas bag apart is its reusability. It is built to last for years and is machine washable. This is not a disposable solution—it’s a serious commitment to quality, cleanliness and responsible hunting. An MSRP of $29.99 makes it an easy investment in ensuring excellent venison.
Packing out elk quarters is no easy task, so having the right clothing is critical for regulating body temperature, managing moisture and staving off the elements.
The Browning Pahvant Pro jacket and pants are built for elk hunters who face brutal terrain, unpredictable weather and the physical demands of packing meat for miles. The clothing system combines rugged durability with strategic comfort, keeping you warm, dry and agile in the most demanding conditions.
The Pahvant Pro Jacket, priced at $179.99, is made from a tough, two-layer soft-shell fabric that offers wind and water resistance and just enough stretch to maintain mobility during long hikes, climbs and meat hauls. Underarm vents are great for hard hikes, while a soft fleece liner, three-point adjustable hood and secure cuff closures help seal in heat when temperatures drop. Thoughtfully designed pockets ensure functionality whether you’re glassing ridgelines or navigating dense timber.
The Pahvant Pro Pants, priced at $104.99, match the jacket’s resilience with a design optimized for high-output hunts. The pants excel during steep ascents and descents, and feature deep zippered cargo pockets for secure storage and 13-inch side-leg zippers for venting on strenuous treks. The durable fabric is treated with Silvadur technology to help control odor during extended days in the field. With 32- and 34-inch inseam options and a fit built for movement, these pants are ready to work as hard as you do when chasing bulls through shifting weather or hauling quarters out of rough country.
From the time you leave the trailhead to finally dropping the last load of meat on the tailgate, the Eberlestock Lochsa Merino Baselayer System is designed to keep you comfortable in all conditions.
This versatile system includes seven garments, featuring both lightweight 180 grams per square meter (GSM) merino layers and robust 300 GSM merino layers. Each layer blends the performance benefits of wool, including odor control and temperature regulation, while adding stretch for comfort and durability. Priced from $49 to $169, the Lochsa baselayers will become the foundation of your technical wardrobe, and the first thing you reach for year-round.
The weight of elk quarters can stretch the limits of even the best-made hunting backpacks on the market. Make sure your pack is up to the challenge before you have an elk on the ground.
The Badlands MRK 4 is the newest addition to the MRK (Meat-Ready Kit) series and arguably the sweet spot in the Badlands lineup. Designed to bridge the gap between smaller day packs and massive expedition haulers, the MRK 4 delivers a versatile, high-performance solution for serious hunters.
With approximately 4,000 cubic inches of storage, this top-loader hits the perfect balance between size and efficiency. It’s built around an innovative split-pack design, allowing the main pack to detach from the suspension system. Once deployed, a bottom meat shelf creates space to haul game tight to your back, improving weight distribution and significantly reducing fatigue. With a magnesium frame, the pack offers industry-leading strength-to-weight performance without compromising durability. And your load rides on an exceptionally comfortable suspension system with an adjustable torso and padded waistbelt, ensuring a custom, ergonomic fit.
Backed by an unconditional lifetime warranty and priced at $479.99, the MRK 4 offers several great features designed to assist you in the backcountry. The pack is Bino Connect and hydration compatible and, with its included boot system, is ready to carry your rifle or bow, making it an all-in-one solution for multi-day hunts.
Another great backpack choice is the Eberlestock Team Elk Pack, engineered for backcountry hunters who demand performance and durability when hauling heavy loads. Built around a lightweight, yet robust, aluminum frame, this pack comfortably carries serious weight, whether trekking deep into the wilderness or hauling meat out after a successful hunt. Its rifle back scabbard provides secure and convenient access to the firearm. At the same time, the innovative meat-carrying system allows the pack to separate from the frame for easy, stable game transport.
Designed with practical functionality at every turn, the Team Elk Pack features well-placed stretch pockets and a hydration sleeve. Hunters will appreciate the spacious floating lid, deep side pockets and durable stretch-material compartments for organizing gear.
The Team Elk Pack was born from a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and was created to serve hunters and help conserve the species and landscapes that define elk country. For over a decade, 10% of every sale has been donated directly to RMEF, resulting in contributions of over $600,000 to vital conservation efforts. With the Team Elk Pack, you’re not just carrying gear—you’re carrying a commitment to wildlife, wilderness and the future of hunting, making the MSRP of $399 a great value.
Oftentimes elk extraction isn’t a matter of brute force, but rather having the right tools to safely and efficiently move more weight than you can carry on your back. Here are a couple of favorites that have saved me a time or two in the mountains.
When miles from the trailhead with a downed elk or stuck ATV, having dependable pulling power can be the difference between a successful recovery and a serious problem. The Warn PullzAll is a compact, electric winching tool capable of pulling 1,000 pounds with its 15-foot industrial grade wire rope. That makes it ideal for dragging heavy game, such as elk, out of steep draws, thick timber, or other hard-to-reach areas.
This electric workhorse weighs just 15 pounds and delivers power at the push of a button, with precise forward and reverse controls for smooth, accurate movement. Priced from $449.99-$849.99 and available in both corded and cordless models, the PullzAll gives you the peace of mind that reliable, portable pulling strength is available when you need it most.
Taking the strain off your body while making game retrieval more efficient, safer and cleaner is where the Cabela’s Game Cart earns its keep. Built with a heavy-duty steel frame capable of hauling up to 300 pounds, the cart is tough enough to handle quartered elk and whole deer. Its collapsible design allows the game cart to fold down easily for storage or transport. Ball-bearing hubs roll smoothly over rough ground, and the flat-free solid-rubber tires eliminate the worry of a puncture in the middle of a rocky trail.
Using a cart reduces the physical toll of hauling meat on your back. It improves safety by minimizing your risk of falls and fatigue, especially on steep or uneven terrain. Equally important, it keeps your meat off the ground during transport, helping you maintain cleanliness and preserve the quality of your harvest.
Whether you’re a solo hunter deep in the backcountry or simply looking for a cleaner, more efficient way to bring your animal home, the Cabela’s Game Cart, with an MSRP of $99.99, is the reliable tool you’ll want on hand when it’s time to pack out.
Getting an elk across miles of rough country and into the back of your truck can be a daunting task. Make sure you have the gear that’s ready to go the distance.
