BJ
I can understand your method as well, especially hunting back 10 + miles. It would be unreasonable to pack that on your back.
As a bowhunter though and one who sees horses and mules as a nuisance, I prefer my back anyday in the 1 to 5 mile treks, which is about the distance we take most our elk. This is the reason we prefer the gutless method, as well as leave all bones except the hind quarters. We also take all rib meat and neck meat which is in the 3rd bag with back straps boned out shoulders and such. You could easily put the misceleaneous parts into 2 different bags if desired to balance your load. Again we choose this way because weight is a factor and the whole elk can come out with 3 guys doing the packing, all in one trip. That 3rd bag is not any heavier than a hindquarter bag even with all rib and neck meat trimmings.
I do the same with deer. With this method I' ve packed out over 100 animals, and it works great for us, but obviously it' s not everyone. elknut1