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Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I'm going to be hunting some state land this year and have some terrific spots that are as far as a mile back in. I assume packing out the deer would be the easiest way as no motor vehicles are allowed. The area is extremely hilly with many gully's and ravines. I am just not sure on how to "pack out" a deer. I assume this means detaching all four legs and associated muscle, taking the backstraps, and head if a buck? I currently have game bags, knives, bone saw, and sharpener to do the dirty work. Could anybody give me more info on doing this or alternative ways of getting a deer out?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
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. |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
It depends. One solution is to first gut the deer. Then tie the right front leg to the right rear leg with rope. Tie the left front leg to the left rear leg. Prop the deer up against something. Sit down and slip your right arm through the loop formed by the two right legs; slip your left arm through the loop formed bythe two left legs. Stand up and lift the deer like a backpack. This works if the deer is not too heavy. Where I hunt in Oklahoma gutted deer may weigh just 100 LBS or less, and this technique works.
Another solution applies if you have a helper. Gut the deer. Tie the two front legs together; tie the two back legs together. Slip a long wooden pole through the legs with enough extra length available so you and your buddy can carry the pole on your shoulders with the deer between. This method works pretty well. Of course, you can also do as you suggested, cut the deer up into more manageable parts and pack out the parts in several trips on a backpack. |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I've seen the "Indian quartering" and it seemed really good. I always heard it called "florida quartering" though, but it's the same thing. I've only had to pack out one deer in my life, and I skinned it, got the quarters off, wrapped everything in game bags and tied it all to the frame of my pack.
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RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I have always used the "indian quartering" method, although I have never heardit called thatbefore. Here in NC I have never had to make more than one trip.
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RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
It depends. One solution is to first gut the deer. Then tie the right front leg to the right rear leg with rope. Tie the left front leg to the left rear leg. Prop the deer up against something. Sit down and slip your right arm through the loop formed by the two right legs; slip your left arm through the loop formed bythe two left legs. Stand up and lift the deer like a backpack. This works if the deer is not too heavy. Where I hunt in Oklahoma gutted deer may weigh just 100 LBS or less, and this technique works. |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
One thing that has really helped me over the years is the following. I haveat timeshad to drag a big deer out of some thick bush (sometimes a mile or so). I picked up a kid's plastic snow sled which I have put some holes in the sides so I can attach bungie cords. After gutting the deer I put the deer on the sled (head to the back and bungie it down good and tight. I have a shoulder harness which is attached to the front of the sled (short rope) and I drag it out. You don't need snow to make it work and I have found that dragging it is easier than carrying. You haven't listed a location where you are hunting so I don't know if you can pick up such a sled in your area (you may be down south), but if you can it may help.
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RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
ORIGINAL: johnnybravoo77 It depends. One solution is to first gut the deer. Then tie the right front leg to the right rear leg with rope. Tie the left front leg to the left rear leg. Prop the deer up against something. Sit down and slip your right arm through the loop formed by the two right legs; slip your left arm through the loop formed bythe two left legs. Stand up and lift the deer like a backpack. This works if the deer is not too heavy. Where I hunt in Oklahoma gutted deer may weigh just 100 LBS or less, and this technique works. |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I wouldn't carry it due to the danger of getting shot. In Vermont unless it is a small doea buckwill usually be well above 125 pounds so one person bringing it out on your back is unlikely.I usually drag all mine out and when it is way back I try to get some help. In this state the deer has to be checked in and quartering it might be illegal. The sled works well andI have used that too. Some guys use the big wheeled game carts but I never tried that.
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RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
Yeah, carrying out the deer probably isn't the best idea here in NY. I'd be fine until I got close to the road and had to make it through the orange zone. Although most of my state land hunting will be bowhunting. And also the deer are fairly large here so I'd like to avoid carrying out unnecessary skeletal weight. I shoudn't have a problem with the distance or intensity as I'm only 16 and in good shape so that shouldn't be a problem.
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RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
Check the local laws, here in NH we have to bring the entire deer out whole, it can be field dressed but that's it.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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. 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. |
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. 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.  |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
oops... double posted it
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RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I bone out the deer in that situation, pack the meat into game bags, put the game bags in my Badlands 2200 pack, tie the cape/antlers to my pack and walk out.
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RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
I know in Texas they have an odd regulation that requires the bone to stay in the quarters.
A quartered carcass is: [*]not more than two forequarters, leg portion (down to the knee) attached to the shoulder blade;[*]two hindquarters (leg bones down to the hock must remain attached); and[*]two backstraps/trimmings from neck and rib cage (the boned-out neck and rib cage may be discarded). |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
ORIGINAL: johnnybravoo77 It depends. One solution is to first gut the deer. Then tie the right front leg to the right rear leg with rope. Tie the left front leg to the left rear leg. Prop the deer up against something. Sit down and slip your right arm through the loop formed by the two right legs; slip your left arm through the loop formed bythe two left legs. Stand up and lift the deer like a backpack. This works if the deer is not too heavy. Where I hunt in Oklahoma gutted deer may weigh just 100 LBS or less, and this technique works. someone gonna pop ya! |
RE: Need Info!: Packing out a deer?
ORIGINAL: RenaissanceBiker 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. |
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