What’s your best way to drag a deer?
#1

There is a lot of very heavy brush with some major gullys and inclines where I hunt. This can make getting a deer out of the woods a challenge. After seeing someone market a “ski rope” set up for $$ I decided to make my own.
It’s very simple. Just double up your line and use the loop end to either go around the neck or antlers. Make sure you get the forelegs in there as well. Then cut a 3’ piece of wood from a sapling, maybe 1 ½’ diameter for a pull handle. Attach both ends of the line to the wood with clove hitches. Make sure the knots attach to the handle from different sides (see pic), this stops the handle from wanting to turn. Now you are good to go.

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You adjust the length of the line to make sure the head of the deer is off the ground so it doesn’t snag on brush, particularly if you have a buck with antlers.

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Using a ski tow like this give you a lot of torque to muscle the load around and over brush. When you get to an area where you just need to pull, just hold the handle behind you with both hands like you are water skiing backwards and git to it.
It’s very simple. Just double up your line and use the loop end to either go around the neck or antlers. Make sure you get the forelegs in there as well. Then cut a 3’ piece of wood from a sapling, maybe 1 ½’ diameter for a pull handle. Attach both ends of the line to the wood with clove hitches. Make sure the knots attach to the handle from different sides (see pic), this stops the handle from wanting to turn. Now you are good to go.


You adjust the length of the line to make sure the head of the deer is off the ground so it doesn’t snag on brush, particularly if you have a buck with antlers.

Using a ski tow like this give you a lot of torque to muscle the load around and over brush. When you get to an area where you just need to pull, just hold the handle behind you with both hands like you are water skiing backwards and git to it.
Last edited by hubby11; 12-05-2017 at 07:40 AM. Reason: spelling
#3

This is what I used this year---no use of hands required. Works great.

https://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/s...yABEgLHO_D_BwE

https://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/s...yABEgLHO_D_BwE
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 413

I used to use both methods above when I was younger and hunted way back along the ridges with roughly a mile drag. The deer aren't back in there now and I'm hunting on private land no more than 300 yds from my truck.
I got smart an use a deer cart now, much easier on the ole bod...
I got smart an use a deer cart now, much easier on the ole bod...

#5

I used to use both methods above when I was younger and hunted way back along the ridges with roughly a mile drag. The deer aren't back in there now and I'm hunting on private land no more than 300 yds from my truck.
I got smart an use a deer cart now, much easier on the ole bod...
I got smart an use a deer cart now, much easier on the ole bod...

I second the deer cart. But I've dragged a fair few deer and bear at the end of a rope just as shown.
I suppose it won't be long now till folks are using their drones.

#6
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 413

Not to mention a new three day bear rifle season this year before the muzzle loader season, bear hound chase season before that in Sept. to boot. I have seen bear dogs chase deer, regardless what their owners say. Its in a dogs DNA to chase deer. So if I was a deer I would get out of there too...
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Virginia
Posts: 413

I don't have a problem with scouting that way as long as it stays just scouting! I'd say its not gonna be easy keeping the drone above ground in a wooded forest tho....