I have hunted elk for almost 20 years and this year was the first time I ever got one out hole,it's like 1 out of 15.
My first elk I killed was a big ol'cow,I was 15 and it was a late season hunt.My dad broke me in to elk hunting with a WWII pack frame and 2 feet of snow I packed that cow out piece by piece,man I swore I would never kill another,well as everyone else knows it a addiction.
Now the only thing diffrent,I have a better pack,and if I hunt with my father-in-law we use horses.
A guy can do it with a game cart,4-wheeler,Pack animal,pick-up or your self.

If you don't want to do all the work you can set up prior arangements with most outfitters to have your animal packed out.This usally cost any where from 250-450 dollars depends on where and how much work.
BBJ