I carry string, a sharp knife, gloves and rope (drag, hang,emg shelter)and a butt out tool. I used the butt out last year and it worked wonderfully. I think a lot of what you carry depends on your situation. Some people have 20 yd drag to the ATV and then a 10 min drive to the house. In that case I'd just carry my pocket knife and do it all back home. In my case the deer is a fat mullie doe at the top of a mountain, dragging through thick sage brush and down steep slopes. This year, if I'm lucky, i'm going to try just skinning it and cutting off the meet and putting it in bags. All I want is the hide and the meet anyway.Did I mention that I hate dragging?