Rick C.

I have a new hunter question. After field dressing the deer in the field, what is the best way for one person to get the deer back to their truck? Should the body cavity be sewn up to prevent dirt from getting in? I was thinking that dragging the deer by its head may be the best way, but wanted to ask if there is a better way. Thanks.

* I will be hunting by myself on public land (no truck or atv access)

Edited by - Rick C. on 12/02/2002 14:38:57

WhiteRaven

Yes, "DRIVE THE TRUCK INTO THE FIELD AND PUT THE DEER IN IT"



Edited by - White-Raven on 12/03/2002 19:20:50

Natty Bumpo

If you cant drive the truck all the way to the deer, the easiest way is to get a deer cart. But they cost about $100. Cabelas and bass pro shops sell them and other outdoor stores.

nate68123

It kinda depends what sort of terrain you have to cover, how many buddies are with you, and how close you can get the truck to the scene. If you must cross a swamp, for example, you might want to put a few stitches in before dragging. Always drag by the head because then you're going with the grain of the fur. Going against the grain is a real waste of effort. When you put stitches in, though, you must remember that the meat won't cool as quickly because air circulation will be decreased.


Basically, just don't hope for a long drag. If you're looking at more than a mile or two and you're experienced, you might consider quartering the animal at the scene and backpacking it out. The real key is to only hunt in places where you're prepared (with necessary equipment and/or knowledge) to handle the situation if you get one.

Nate

Tazman

I use a hand truck to get them out if I have a distance to go, another thing that will work well is to tie a tarp around them, it keeps the dirt out and makes for an easier pull.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

Duffy

Ya hear the story about the two fellows from _____ who were dragging a deer out by the back leggs? They met another hunter who told them that it would be easier to drag it by the head, as the leggs would then trail backwards and not hangup on stuff and slow them down. They thanked him and gave it a try. A while later the one fellow looks at his buddy and says "Boy that fellow was dumb, we are right back where we started."

Dragging a dear isn't too difficult (unless its a BIG ALBERTA monster buck). It is easier with snow on the ground. A plastic sleigh or even a "crazy carpet" helps it slide along even if there isn't any snow.

I bought myself a heavy-duty "dolly" or "truck", a two wheeled affair for moving fridges and such around. It has 13" air filled tires that are far enough appart to make it fairly stable. I can push or pull a couple hundred lbs. with it over some bumpy ground.

I also have a device with 4 wheels and a motor and Honda written on the gas tank.

Robin.

model722

One thing that everyone is forgetting is that you might want to be in half way decent shape. I don't know what kind of work your in but if you sit behind a desk allday and don't get much exercise than you might consider some sort of exercise. You don't have to look like the hulk but you don't want to end up out of breathe in the first 100 feet. I usually try to go out for about a 2 mile walk every night about 2 months before season. Deffinatly pull the deer from the head. If your hunting on decent ground a cart would probably be the best next to a 4 wheeler. I know alot of guys that wrap there deer with a tarp, I usually don't have to because I've got enough snow on the ground so I don't have to worry about mud. If you do stitch the hide together make sure you get the meat cooled down as soon as possible.

Shaggy2

Always have a plan of action before you shoot a deer. Dragging a deer out of a 200 foot revine is not much fun. Even a small buck can be an issue. As most deer it will run into the nastiest stuff before it lays down for good.

I learned my lesson the hard way. I know always have three measures in mind. My third is gutting and field dressing a deer where it is shot and carring it out in a cooler. You may want to check state laws first.

Dragging a deer on card board is an option depending on the terrain you are carring it out on.

cyclone

I always fake a back sprain and have my buddies drag it out...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

~Will Hunt For Food~

Bob S

I use a JetSled Jr. icefishing sled. It will go over any ground in any weather. A lot of my property is tag alder swamp and a cart with wheels would sink into the mud in a lot of places. The sled will go over all of the soft areas. The sides are high enough to keep dirt out of the deer.

It also comes in handy in the off season for hauling the chain saw, firewood, even tree stands.

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Be a steward of the resouce, not just a deer killer.