Since Washington is Spike Elk only (without the luck of a special drawing) we usually just hang them like deer, head-down;
http://www.powerandfury.net/j02elk.html
Of course this was my first one and only about 100 yards below the road so we HAD to get it out whole. Generally if we have to move it very far we' ll either get the card and 4 strong men and women (most of our wives hunt with us) or we' ll just skin and quarter it on the ground, packing out the quarters and head. Wa. State law dictates either the head or genetails must remain attached to the animal so make sure to check with local laws before cutting up the animal in the field.