Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
09-15-2008, 08:26 AM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ohio,mid
Posts: 1,275
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I've used the plastic roll up sled idea before. You can get those in Sportsmans Guide or one of the box stores. Just lace em' up and start pulling. I' is easier than pulling on ground
09-15-2008, 08:50 AM
#13
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,605
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
We almost always drag them out on the bare ground for bowand most often have snow during rifle or ML seasons. One thing I do is pull the front hooves up over the rack on each side, tie them off and then hook up my drag on the rack with a half hitch around the nose. I let my drag be about 3 to 4 feet long and when I step into it and pull it raises the nose then lifts the head, rack and hooves so they don't get tangled with the ground. I have dragged many deer this way and if you go slow it is pretty easy to get one out a mile or so all by yourself.
09-15-2008, 09:37 AM
#14
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 675
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
Legality is an issue. In SC it is illegal to transport a headless deer. Quartering it may count as that. I only field dress them to lose the gut weight before carrying them out.
09-15-2008, 01:28 PM
#15
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Where the big deer are from, seminole county FL
Posts: 1,435
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
ther is crazy's runing in florida so i would just find your deer asap, and then do the ''dirty work''. plus in florida you have to take the deer to the check station first
09-15-2008, 01:58 PM
#16
Typical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 675
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I'm surprized that no one has mentioned those two wheeled deer carts. I have never used one, but it seems a lot easier than dragging. Just carry out your climber and rifle, then go back in with the cart. If I was going to go back into the WMA, I would look into getting one of those.
09-15-2008, 03:54 PM
#17
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 9
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
The problem with the carts are the issue of weight/space. Do you want to pack in one of those things? Also some of these ravines are 200 ft deep and the sides near vertical! How do you get a 200 lb deer cart out of that? Also what about fallen logs? They are every where as this area shows no sign of logging ever.
09-15-2008, 07:00 PM
#18
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 43
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
ORIGINAL: npaden
Are you familiar with butchering a deer?
I use a method I've heard called "Indian Quartering". With the animal laying on it's side I skin one side of the deer. I cut the backstrap out, cut the front quarter off (I cut it at the knee first before cutting it all the way off the animal) then cut the back quarter off (same thing, I cut it off at the knee first before cutting the hindquarter off at the hip joint). I also cut some neck meat off. If you are planning on having the deer mounted you need to make sure and cut the cape correctly also. Once I have one side cleaned off I turn it over and repeat the same processon the other side. I never "gut" the deer. You can cut the tenderloin out without gutting them. You can also cut the ribs off if you want to as well.
On a big buck you may end up making 3 trips to get it out if you are taking the head out with you. You also might check your regulations on proof of sex that is required.
Are you familiar with butchering a deer?
I use a method I've heard called "Indian Quartering". With the animal laying on it's side I skin one side of the deer. I cut the backstrap out, cut the front quarter off (I cut it at the knee first before cutting it all the way off the animal) then cut the back quarter off (same thing, I cut it off at the knee first before cutting the hindquarter off at the hip joint). I also cut some neck meat off. If you are planning on having the deer mounted you need to make sure and cut the cape correctly also. Once I have one side cleaned off I turn it over and repeat the same processon the other side. I never "gut" the deer. You can cut the tenderloin out without gutting them. You can also cut the ribs off if you want to as well.
On a big buck you may end up making 3 trips to get it out if you are taking the head out with you. You also might check your regulations on proof of sex that is required.
And for the OP, you should debone the deer, it will make everything easier for packing out including loss of unneeded weight. Get the right pack like a Canadian with a meat locker and you can pack out the whole deer in 1 trip.
09-15-2008, 07:20 PM
#19
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mountain Home, Arkansas
Posts: 221
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
ORIGINAL: tommb
The problem with the carts are the issue of weight/space. Do you want to pack in one of those things? Also some of these ravines are 200 ft deep and the sides near vertical! How do you get a 200 lb deer cart out of that? Also what about fallen logs? They are every where as this area shows no sign of logging ever.
The problem with the carts are the issue of weight/space. Do you want to pack in one of those things? Also some of these ravines are 200 ft deep and the sides near vertical! How do you get a 200 lb deer cart out of that? Also what about fallen logs? They are every where as this area shows no sign of logging ever.
when you say 200lb deer cart i hope your talking about the weight of the deer and the cart combined... the aluminum carts weigh 21lb and carry up to 250lb. i'd spend the $90 before i started to drag one that far again.
True story: same situation, long ways in on government strip... atleast an hour walk like this up and down hills. the picture was after we got him to the house.
