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Game retrieval
- Thread starter llama32
- Start date
Dsabhunt
Well-Known Member
Depends on your States laws. Can't leave anything behind but a gut pile in mine. So quartering and packing out doesn't make much sense for me. When I shoot I hope it runs towards the parking lot and then I cart it out
Mitchellfarmer1982
Well-Known Member
Unless the law at the time dictates. (Some permit hunts require the animal being carried to a check station) I always pack out. I've killed within 100 yards of the truck and still packed it out. It's easier overall for me.
I never seem to worry enough about getting a deer out until it happens. Don’t do that. It’s good to have a plan for sure. Gut first for sure. Depends if you are in pack out woods or an area where you may need to drag for a short distance. It all varies, but think ahead if you are successful. At my age I try to have a backup plan for a friend or relative for help. Main concern to keep your meat cool as possible by keeping the body cavity open to cool. You never want your venison to spoil.
It’s to precious. Best of luck this fall!
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2021
- Messages
- 2,167
I’ve only used a cart once, mostly I drag them by a rope tied to a stick or in a sled. I’ve dragged many deer for over three miles. I may someday pack a deer out, but I usually save the hide, antlers and all the meat - logistically it generally just makes the most sense to drag it out or walk out to retrieve a sled and get at least one person to help drag.
When you are this old you build a deer retrieval unit,
Don’t be surprised if I look u up this fall for help.
That’s the way to do it!!
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2019
- Messages
- 1,043
Nothing beats a frame pack where legal.
I’d say it depends on how far you gotta travel and what terrain you’re in.
One parcel I hunt is a brewery, it’s about a 200 yard walk to my truck. I just drag that one out.
Another parcel I hunt is a ranch, it’s about a 1/4 mile walk to my truck which is draggable but it’s through briar and bramble and through a creek so I jet sled that sucker.
I used to have access to a mountainside. Not a far hike but being on a mountainside with lots of loose scree it was easier and safer to quarter and hump out
One parcel I hunt is a brewery, it’s about a 200 yard walk to my truck. I just drag that one out.
Another parcel I hunt is a ranch, it’s about a 1/4 mile walk to my truck which is draggable but it’s through briar and bramble and through a creek so I jet sled that sucker.
I used to have access to a mountainside. Not a far hike but being on a mountainside with lots of loose scree it was easier and safer to quarter and hump out
Skunkworkx
Well-Known Member
I have always dragged regardless of how I hunted.
A few years back (2015) I shot the biggest Buck of my life...although only an 8 point, he dressed out at 192# (and the butcher really stuck it to me
). Thankfully a short drag on this small residential property, but liked to kill me. I have since bought a sled. IF I had to drag 1/4 mile...don't want to think about.
A few years back (2015) I shot the biggest Buck of my life...although only an 8 point, he dressed out at 192# (and the butcher really stuck it to me
). Thankfully a short drag on this small residential property, but liked to kill me. I have since bought a sled. IF I had to drag 1/4 mile...don't want to think about.
I hunt in the steep rugged Current River hills, and it is tough getting deer out of the woods. I built a battery powered deer cart. It is my prototype but I am getting ready to build a newer better version. It can be disengaged and pushed by freehand or engaged and self-propelled under power.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2019
- Messages
- 1,043
This is the real reason to pack. If you can just debone in the field it eliminates so many steps. Last year I packed out a doe that I could have drove to within 50 yards of. It's just so much less work overall to leave what you don't need out there. And I have access to a great butcher shop at my folks place.
The one exception to the rule is when you want to cape a buck out. This year I'm putting a block and tackle with my repel line on my kill pack.
Cart and sled if you cant quarter them in the field. Strap the sled to the cart, take the cart in as far as you can, then grab the sled. Drag deer out in sled, then load on to the cart and take to the truck Take a reflective tack with you, to put in a tree wherever you leave your cart. It sucks wandering around in the dark trying to find your cart. I keep a little pouch on my cart that has two ratchet straps in it so that I can ratchet them down. A good trick from the "Hunting Beast" (I Think) is to put a jacket around their horns when you are pulling them out, if its super thick. It keeps their horns from getting caught up in the bushes etc....
I Put DOT Reflective Tape on the Back of my Waldrop Pac Seat so I can Leave it by my Deer till I Get Back. That Stuff Shows up Clear Across a Field. I've Left Stuff @ a Kill Site and Thought I'd Never Relocate it....
If you don't have any laws not allowing u too....imo it doesn't make much sense to drag them any further than the nearest tree to string it up.
I do what @Bogle says and so does ever other hunter I've ever met here local to me on public land. Most people don't gut their deer prior to dragging out either.
I do what @Bogle says and so does ever other hunter I've ever met here local to me on public land. Most people don't gut their deer prior to dragging out either.
The_Fit_Ness_Monster
Well-Known Member
Gut immediately after find and mostly throw over shoulder, for the bigger ones or hogs I have a pull rope that clips to my harness or my belt and just drag it. Tried a cart before and it’s more hassle in the woods than it’s worth imo. And in LA I’m not killing no 200# deer so the dragging is quite easy.
quarter them if way back, backpack them if small and way back, sled if good snow, cart otherwise.