This was many many slippery miles back up a dirt road off 13 between Rifle and Meeker.

And your correct that most of the time was involved in getting the animals out. A truck with a boom and spool of cable might have helped sometimes but when you are on an opposing hillside you are screwed and must quarter the animal up,etc.
We lost much meat quartered and then contaminated when carry bags burst/ATV's flip over with heavy loads etc. BLM rules and rancher preferences dictate you can't cut any trees.

Changing weather, gumbo mud, steep terrain, made for some hellacious recoveries.