Knife, game bags, and a frame pack. I also use the gutless method.

The best investment I found was a meat hook!! Keeps your fingers a long way away from the knife and can hold the meat without slipping. Also a good boning knife with a 8 inch blade. http://www.amazon.com/Dexter-Russell...ords=meat+hook

I agree with the horse idea

I do use a havalon to skin but use the more common. cheaper and shorter size 20 blades. Much easier and less broken blades. Good quality fixed blade knife for the bulk of the work and have a small sharpening apparatus in my day pack if needed. If I am packing with a decker pack saddle I also use an axe to cut the elk into 4 large quarters, barrel hitch the hind quarters, basket hitch the fronts, tie on the horns and we are gone! This elk I used a sawbuck and panniers.

Having a great pack can make a world of difference. I use the Horn Hunter Full Curl System. Use the full system for packing in and then it strips down to a great frame pack when the work begins. Great company and outstanding customer service.

TAG Bags BOMB (Boned Out Meat Bags) are an essential. They only weigh 10 ounces for the whole set, but you can fit a boned out bull musk ox in them. Hands down the best game bags around.

http://www.pristineventures.com/products/game-bags.html

1) Help from something with 2 legs
2) Help from something with 4 wheels or 4 legs

horse idea is very good

I use the gutless method