I also hunt solo (including travelling for out-of-state hunts) by myself and have for many years. I really enjoy the solitude and not being on anybody else's schedule except my own. If/when I get a good one it's the same story as when I get a smaller one or a doe. (I am not a trophy hunter, just enjoy the hunt and tagging a buck if I've worked for it). I gut it and drag it outmyself. The last good one I got was just before last light the year before last. I waited for 15 min of so before looking to where the deer went out of site. It's surprising how short a time it takes to get twisted around when it's dark are you're in the thick stuff. Anyway, I found my buck (about a 125" 8 point....good for where I live) and dragged it out. Got to my truck at just after 11 pm, completely exhaused.