I carry a little plastic baggie to put the organs in and tie them off still attached to the meat. That keeps the meat clean.
I never carry out the head. Cape out the head and cut off the horns. Do yourself a favor and make sure your bonesaw is sharp. It is hard work on an elk, cut from the front and back, don' t try to saw the horns off from the sides it is much harder that way.
Even if you aren' t going to get the shoulder mount done you can sell the cape to a taxidermist for instore credit or 100 bucks or so.