I've helped drag out some big bears over the yrs, including a state record way back when, and it was ALL up hill, we used and broke a few come a longs to do so, talk about SLOW goings a few feet only at a time, tree to tree
then I have also been part of a few recovery's where horses were used., HUGE difference in work and time spent
as I got older, most times, we were on private lands and we used atv's and or trailers behind them, or tractors
but can recall some ALL day recovery's deep in swamps and on game lands where nothing but backs and muscles were used, DON"T miss them days at all
I DO< know IF you contact the game dept, they will GET you help, or help you themselves, as they have keys to gates and can many times get a vehicle closer to things than you can !
so, I have have done this before too in PA