It seems like horses are one of those "love-hates" of elk hunting. You'd love to have one when you're faced with making as many as five round-trips packing one out on your back. But you hate that they're not as low-maintenance as your boots are.

Lately, I've found that much of the terrain we hunt elk over is, in many spots, so rugged I think we'd be asking for trouble with a horse. I know a lot of guys who hunt in bear country, and they generally leave someone with the horses at all times. That seems like a nuisance to be limited that way.

I think my vote would be an outfitter standing by to pack an elk out, but if you're physically able, packing one out on your back should still be an option. You'll want to have good boots anyway, and it's never a bad thing to have a good pack frame around camp.