Bring bear spray just in case.  Depending on what time of the season you hunt.  By November most back bears are in hybernation.  Generally black bears are not a problem.  I've never had any encounters with them during rifle season.  But that's not to say it shouldn't be a concern during early season or archery season. Cover the meat with cloth game bags. Hang the quarters up as high as you can get them.

Don't underestimate black bears. I guy near me just got mauled by a black bear. It was in his camp, so always be cautious.

Coyote is no problem, but mouintain lions like to stalk us. 99% of the time you'll never know it.

i haven't done 10 miles with a full pack of elk on my back, but i have done about 5 miles and i was pretty dead when i was done.  there was 2 of us and we deboned the elk before when came out of the deep canyon.  I told my self i would never do that again for a cow elk.  maybe bull but never a cow again. 

Why? You were bringing out meat, and a cow taste better than a bull.

I'd be way more concerned with cougars, they will stalk you and you won't be any wiser until it breaks your neck and sinks it's teeth into your throat, by them it's too late.  Coyotes are not much  problem as long as you are with your quaters.  They typically wil not challenge a hunter for food, but there are exceptions I'm sure.  I would not be so concerned with coyotes, unless you leave the quarters alone over night.

I kill coyotes on sight.

Unless your in your 20s and in great shape, i wouldn't even think about it, i would be looking for someone to pack it out for me with horses, if i did get one.

Kevin

Guys it amazes me how many people think that after that elk is down what am I going to do. I have packed out many elk on my back with the furthest being 6 1/2 miles and also being my biggest. If you are way back in somewhere always debone the critter even a deer. There is no point in packing out the heavy bones of an elk.

I like exbiologist have packed out several raghorn bulls deboned with only my brothers help and taking the whole elk out at once taking turns with the head. Just like anything you must have the mind set to just get the job done.

One more thing that amazes me is the fact of people saying cows taste better than bulls, "BULL" ! The best elk I have ever eaten was also my biggest and oldest bull I have ever taken (tooth aged at 12 1/2 years old). I did not even have the meat tenderized by the butcher. The key is properly taken care of animals. I carry six to eight knifes in my pack so I can use a different knife for different jobs. All it takes is to touch the cut meat with a knife that has urine on it and it will be a bad tasting elk.

Like ex also said you shoot elk where they are standing so do not worry about it until the elk is on the ground. Have fun with it !

Good luck with your hunt this year.

Quinton