Pharoah2,
".. .. .. a critter that you can throw over your shoulder to carry home."
????????????
Are we talking theory or first hand experience here?
You are in Alberta, right? We are talking about deer, correct? Canadian deer aren't reknowned for being fly weights.
Either you should be on the Olympic weight lifting team or you got some of the puniest Alberta deer I've ever heard of (unless we're talking fawns or a sub-specie the size of large dogs).
You might drag one of our mulies out by the antlers, but I'm betting you are not going to throw him over your shoulder along with [or without] your pack and rifle and walk him out of even moderate terrain.
IMHO, this just doesn't ring true....
EKM