Deer hauling methods

[Brad Jerman]

Spawning off the products thread, I am interested in the various ways we haul deer.

- I now own a game cart, but used to use a standard dolly
- In rough terrain when I am hunting in a group nothing beats the limb between the two men's shoulders... Just make sure there is plenty of orange.
- I like the simple drag rope as well and use a harnass or makeshift stick T-Bar.
- In snow I have used a plastic sled.

I do most anything I can to limit the effect a drag has on the meat. After making bloody jelly under the hide a few times I will do most anything to try and keep that from happening.

Unless I am going way in, I leave the hauler or sled at the truck. I am usually carring a stand, so I typically take my equipment out first, lighten my load and restock on Gatoraid then go back for the field-dressed deer.

It's never a bad Idea to leave a hunter orange anything in a limb above the deer.

[countyroad]

I usually have help from my dad when dragging a deer out. The old "I'll take then right beam you take the left beam then we'll switch" method. If it's a doe then we just grab a leg. This year I used my safety belt in the manner that Brad showed on the other thread.
When field dressing the deer I recommend not cutting the pelvic bone if don't have to. If you do cut the pelvic bone the back legs flop all over the place.
The farthest we've ever had to drag a deer is probably about 100 yards because the neighbors allow us to drive through their fields.
The problem is that a lot of times the deer on our property tend to die in the lowest point of the property leaving an uphill drag.
I usually tage the deer and dress it then head down to the house and change into lighter clothing and take the truck up to start the real work.

[Redhunter1012]

Brad, I found that it always helps to have 4 or 5 teenage nephews around that are willing to help haul out a deer. Especially if you r the one that helps them put up stands. Really our cart or a deer handle or rope usualyy is what we use. some landowners don't mind if we use ATV's though.

[Buckslayer1]

I use a Cabela's deer cart works great.

[Q2XL]

i have a alumi lite 2 whell cart for haulin with until snow too deep too use it.when snow on ground i have a plastic sled too haul with. i used both this year one deer taken second day of season and used the 2 wheel cart the other durin muzzleloader and am glad i had the sled it was tough enough with the sled i dont want too know what it would have been like with out the sled with all the snow then

[CritterGitter]

I had two rough solo drags this past season and I think I need to find an ole plastic sled and some rope or something. I was doing it the hard way for sure.

CG

[countyroad]

Snow sure makes dragging alot easier. A few years ago I shot a buck in the back of the property and I dragged it all the way back to the house in the snow. It was up one hill and down the other side. The total distance was 3/8 to half a mile. I wasn't really tired either. I've had 50 yard drags that tired me out more than that did.

[Arrow 1]

Cabela's Mag Hauler deer cart. It works great.

[M.Magis]

I only shoot them if I can drive to them.:D If only it were that easy, but more often than not I can at least get the tractor within 50 yards or so.

[shotgun]

ill tell you right now thats one thing you northern boys got made over us down in the southern part of the state. I normally would choose the hills over flat land anyday but it makes you think twice when you have to drag them out. We hunt deep in some pretty steep hills on wayne national. Most everybody around here uses 4 wheelers (even were they aint legal) but we get them out the old fashioned way. I do have a couple mules now that i plan on using in the future to pack them out. Alot of our drags are over a mile in some of the steepest terrain in the state. I had to drag an eightpoint by myself about 3/4 a mile up out of a steep holler this year. Im just glad im still young. I better get those mules trained before old age sets in lol

[Buckmaster]

If I'm hunting my own property I use the Polaris with a ATV wagon. Makes easy, fast work. If I'm hunting private land I would use a deer cart or sled.

[Thunderflight]

Last year I bought one of those deer slieghers on ebay.

I'm yet to use it because every deer I've killed since was drug out by ATV or on a game cart.

TF

[eschatts]

I usually just drag them out. If I am carrying other gear I will walk about thirty yards or so and set the gear down by a tree and then go back and get the deer and drag it that same distance. Then I just repeat the process. Ofcourse I am 57 years old so I try not to overdue it too much.
One other thing I found that helps is to place the front legs behind the deers head and then tie them there. This is easier to do on a buck. Just place his front legs behind this head in his antlers. It is just one less thing to get caught on the brush.

Ed

[Duffy]

I've got to get a cart. I dragged two deer out of a ravine in December, and then another 300 yards to my van. I've learned my lesson!

[sycamoreredneck]

I do er' the old fashion way, grab a leg and

GIT ER DUN!!!!

[Brad Jerman]

Shotgun, I've been there! This past year I did a solo on one of the does I took up the side of a ridge. I basically lifted it a couple of feet, got new footing and lifted it a couple more. I was huffing and puffing by the time I got to the top. The good news was that after that, it was downhill to the truck.

[Thunderflight]

Last year when I was in Illinois I passed on several doe because I didn't feel like dragging them a ravine.

TF

[sycamoreredneck]

POO-SEE!!!!!:D ;)

[Caribou Dreamer2]

I have dragged deer out by all means possible, the two man pole works good for flat ground ,but going up hills the rear man seems to get all the weight.The harness drags works good,but the best way i have found so far to get a deer out of the woods is the deer cart they work wonders i used a buddy of mine last year one my doe and that think was great.I think i will be purchasing one of these before next fall will make it alot easier to get my big buck out next year.

http://a1460.g.akamai.net/f/1460/1339/6h/www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/22/36/06/i223606sq03.jpg

[Thunderflight]

Don't get one like that. You are holding the majority of the wieght with that style cart.

Cabelas and Basspro sell carts were the load is carried on the axle. The cost about the same as the above cart too.

TF

[Caribou Dreamer2]

ok will have to take a look at some different one's then before making my up my mind.but then again might just stick with what has work for many years.

[Thunderflight]

Originally posted by Caribou Dreamer2
but then again might just stick with what has work for many years.

Having your friends drag out your deer?:D ;)

TF

[Caribou Dreamer2]

Call a buddy, bring a friend.