Dragging Deer/ Question
 

Ok, Monday evening I killed my buck at 4 PM I drug the deer and didn' t get to the field where I could drive and pick it up until 6 PM. After countless times of sitting on the ground on the brink of passing out I was exhausted when it was all over.

Here' s the question

What can I buy or what can I make to make it a lot easier to drag a deer out of the woods. I had hunted with a club all of my life until now and never really had to drag a deer that far by myself, a few occasions I had hauled a doe out but nothing that outweighed me ( I weigh 140lbs and the deer had me beat). Any advice?

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

Draging a deer can really suck! I love my 6-wheeler! LOL There are a lot of carts and drags on the market. Do an internet search or look in a book like Cabelas. I have made a few carts for people using 1 inch square tubing and bike tires. One guy I know hunts public land. He wanted me to make him a ladder stand and a cart. He wanted to be able to put the stand up and take it down when he left. (He didn' t trust climbers.) Instead of making him 2 different items, I incorporated both into one. I built him a ladder stand and added wheels close to the seat area. This way he wouldn' t have to worry about making two trips or trying to cart a stand, cart and if he was lucky, a deer out at the same time. He loves it and I have since made several like this for people. I hope this helps. Good Luck!! -- CDH

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

When there is snow on the ground we take our stuff first out to truck and pick up the plastic sled. We used the sled to drag the deer out of the woods. When there is no snow, we use a drag rope with a waist wrap and drag the deer out after gutting it. Not much fun if you are dragging a long way and no snow.

Tomster

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

Being a lone wolf most of the time I keep a hand truck with inflatable tires on it, just bungee cord the deer on it and away you go, the nice thing with this is once you get back to the truck you just lean the top of the hand truck against the tailgate and lift the bottom of the hand truck with the deer on it and slide it right into the truck.

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RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

dragging sure does suk[X(]--but then again, thats another wonderful thing about hunting, take time to find deer, then afterwards (if succesful )draging it out. think of it as a reward:)..

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

thanks, I had some sorta idea of making something like a dolley that I could go back and get from the truck after the kill. I saw a drag rope at wal-mart yesterday that was blaze orange and tied around you like a harness and then attached to the deer, it was only $4.79 so I may pick up one of those for the time being.

Thanks Everyone

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I use my black safety strap and make sure I tie the front legs forward around the neck of the deer. That way it makes for easier draggin because the legs don' t get tangled as much.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

Something to consider when dragging a deer is it is easier to drag it from the head, as it is with the hide. I carry braid, coated rope in my pack and then tie the front legs to the head and the rope to the neck or horns, loop around my waist and away i go. The sled or crazy carpet idea works well in snow or grassy areas. I do have a home brew cart with axle and wheel barrel wheels on a 2x2 frame that works well when there is no snow and not loads of under brush to try and navigate through. Anyway you slice it is work and will cause a sweat...unless you have a ATV and can get to the animal(my preferred way to drag;))

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I tie the front legs around the neck and use the blaze orange harness you can get a Wal Mart.Only use a short length of rope.So when you put the harness on, the deer' s head is off the ground.Also don' t use the rope that comes with the harness.It' s not good rope and it broke 4 times on me when I was dragging my deer out.Take 6' of good rope with you.A plastic sled makes it easier even without snow.The older I get the more I like to climb up hill to start my hunt.That way the drag should be down hill.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

The crazy carpets do work well both on snow and grass.They are also very light and compact to carry.I use a holepunch and punch holes along the outer edges so I can use cord to tie the animal to the crazy carpet.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I thinking of making something with wheels, I have a good clear path cut around the land and once I get the deer on that path its clear, there' s just plenty of hills to climb.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I also use those cheap plastic sled you can by at wall-mart or any toy store. they work great w/ or w/o snow! they also double as a good container for holding the blood if you leave the deer in the sled when it is in the back of your truck on the way home....also it helps to load and unload if you are by yourself. drop the tailgate lift one end up on the tailgate and set it down oon the tailgate. go around to the other end and simply pick up the other end and slide it right on in the bed of the truck! other than that a good quad works well...lol;)

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I hunt public land and usually have to drag my deer 1 to 2 miles. I use a deer slay and it helps but I hate carrying a rooled up plastic tube into the woods, every branch is scrapes makes that o so natural sound... I exercise three times a week and " walk the stairs" at lunch at work - I work on the 11th floor and go down to the bottom & back up at least twice. Trust me getting in the best shape you can really helps.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

My favorite tool for getting deer out of the woods is my cell phone. Call two of the biggest guys you know and let them drag the deer while you carry your gear. It may cost you a case of beer but that is a bargain. :D I am 6' 2" 215 lbs. and in shape but was recently whooped by a deer getting him out of the woods. The problem was that he outweighed me, no snow, uphill, and I left my cell phone in the car. Once I caught my breath enough to talk I called two guys to help me lift him into the truck. Being in great shape helps some but a sled and some snow is the hot ticket. I hunt on public land up north and have to drag them over 1/2 mile through the swamp and won' t do it without my drag harness and sled.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

that drags nothing....we drag about 2 miles no lie...it takes us about 30 mins 1 way to get to our spot and we really move...no break no slow walking....weve never used anything but a rope to drag out.....and leaving the deer or equiptment behind isnt an option....its state game lands.....someone would jack something id bet..we just take our time dragging out and we always have lots of water...shooting them is the easy part.....our drags arent bad they are on a trail then a gasline cut...but the grass is high and thick which holds the deer back......last year we shot 3 in one morning....thank god we had alot of fresh snow....ones you get moving htey came right along....i drug my buck...dad drug my huge doe and his yearling...i guess he didnt want me to kill myself dragging both mine....i would have....it would been dragging about 350lbs or so but i would done it....my dad wants to buy a deer cart....he can do what he wants....personally i dont think lugging it in is worth the little bit it will help on the way out.....but im 16 and pretty strong...hes strong but was hit on his motorcycle a few years ago and now his leg kills him sometimes and he can use a little help.....and a quad or anything isnt an option on stategame lands we hunt...we see alot of deer and usually have something to drag out so i think its worht it apposed to hunting close to the road like everyone else not seeing much.....i thought about a sled of some sort....even a thick plastic sheet type sled just to make them glide easier...i still might get one some time but looks like im dragging this year too......oh well....we just take our time...when we make it out we make it out....last year it took about 3 hours....one deer takes about and hour an a half or so....one thing that helps is we find a big thick straight tree to put through the rope and both of use can drag if we only get 1 or 2....3 it was too much wieght and too hard for use to do that....1 it makes it alot easier....i still put a big stick throughmy rope to pull on....good luck

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

Oh,to be 16 again or even in my 20' s:)

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

the best thing i have come across yet is an invention my dad made after seeing one in a mag for like 250$$.

he took a hand truck and put wood bottom and sides on it. then he put bicycle tires on it on mag wheels. then he spraypainted it. we leave it in our private property. i am 17 and have wheeled out 2 deer at the same time with it. it is really nice to have. the only time it doesnt work very well is when there is alot of rain.

when you get to the truck, simply put the handles on the tailgate and pick it up near the wheels. this is super easy and prevents blood from getting all in your bed.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

Plastic tarp:)

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I got a folding game cart from Cabelas for less than $100. I just leave it in my truck during hunting season. When I have a deer I go to the truck, leave my gear and excess clothes and wheel the cart to the deer. Simple matter of loading it up and pulling it out. No deer is worth a heart attack!

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I use one of those el-cheapo plastic sleds from walmart.. the same one the kids use when it snows. It works wonders, I just take all my gear out to the truck then return with the sled. I then place an orange vest on me and the deer and off I go. Thats the best couple of dollars I have spent. I would say the only other thing easier is a 4 wheeler!!!:D

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RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I drag and it is getting old even tho it is a few hundred yards. Had a 200lb buck last year and I could not get him over a 5' or so rock wall. had to leave him and go get help. A thick rope 1" or so helps. I loop it around his head and then you are pulling with two 1" ropes in your hand. The sleds sound good if it is a long haul.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I don' t drag any more it' s too much work. Get yourself a good pack frame and a small deer hoist. After gutting the deer I pull it up on the hoist tied to a nearby tree. I then skin it. The next step is to remove the front shoulders and cut off the leg at the knee joint. Bag both shoulder in garbage bags. Next step filet out the back straps, bag them. Next step debone the neck and remove any other meat from the backbone. Next remove tenderloins from the cavity. Cut the backbone off at the saddle. Saw the two hams apart. Cut the hind legs off at the knees and bag. A whole deer can easily be bagged and packed out. You leave the ribcage,back bone,guts,hide,feet in the bush. I tag the head and bring it out with my meat. Sure beats a heart attack dragging one out. Once home I put the meat in the fridge overnight and finnish butchering the next day. Cold meat cuts better than warm.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I use a pretty thick, but super tough plastic sleeve. Used to use those cheap blue plastic " tarps" , but they just got holes in them everywhere.

This plastic sleeve comes in various diameters. It is used to jacket underground water mains. Keep your eyes out for crews doing mains and ask them nicely (or bribe them with a some $$$ or a case of beer-I would think the beer would do the trick right about quiting time).

Work the rear legs of the dressed deer into the sleeve, poke two holes for the rear legs and pop the legs thru. Tie your drag rope thru the tendons and go.

OR

Do the front legs thru the holes, tie them up around the neck and drag from neck.

We got more than a few pieces stashed here and there around our hunting grounds.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I use a tarp. You can loop your rope through the holes in the tarp, and then tie it around your waist or shoulders. I' m a big guy, so I don' t have too much trouble dragging deer, but this makes it much easier. Plus the tarp folds up and fits in a day pack.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

A 4 wheeler:D

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

If I can' t get my quad to it, I just light a fire and eat it on the spot.[:-]

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

Always looked at the drag at the end of a hunt as a way of giving back somthing of myself for the privlige to hunt and kill such a wonderful animal we call the Whitetail deer.

RE: Dragging Deer/ Question
 

I use my 4-wheeler to haul, but if that is something you can' t do
they make several different types of deer carts with wheels or some
different types of deer sleds. Congrates on your buck!