Trim out the off parts and now you know for next time. A lot of the time I solo hunt, when I down a bull far from the truck, I skin and quarter. Like others I carry 550 which I hang the rest to cool. Still looking for a good bone saw that's pack able. Congratulations on your elk! Enjoy the meat you have. Very few hunters get to harvest an elk. Most of the time, the successful hunter fills their tag most years. Don't worry about the negative comments and just learn from your mistake. Happy hunting