Better way to drag a deer?

[PaddyMac]

I'm looking for a better way to get a mule deer across a mile or two or rough ground.  Any further in than that and I'll bone and pack, but if possible, I like to get 'em out whole so I can get it on a chain hoist over a drain.

This one is affordable, but it seems awkward to carry while still hunting:

 http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/original-deer-sleighr-game-sled.aspx?a=450188

This looks about right, but it's 6 lbs. and $100:

 http://www.amazon.com/Huntings-A-Drag-HADGS-Game-Sled/dp/B001PHXLGM

There's got to be something better. Isn't there?

Or I am being unreasonable again?

   

[ron w]

Both of those should work....how much do you want to spend? My best thought......Hunt with somebody a lot younger and let them help.......a lot!! Good luck in your quest!!

[PaddyMac]

 

trouble is I've already worn them out getting wood.

[PaddyMac]

But I'd spend $50 on something I could get in a small pack, didn't weigh ton and was reusable two or three times at least. Maybe in two or three years they'll be heavy enough to crack $100.

[YORNOC]

An ice fishing sled (black plastic) works BEAUTIFUL. I've dragged dozens of deer and elk out whole. It pretty much glides over rough terrain, you just have to tie or ratchet strap them down incase it tips so they don't tumble out. CHEAP!!!!

[Jack Denbow]

Looking at the first picture and judging from the size of the head and horns there is a lot of that deer not in the carrier It looks like just head and hide. Have you looked at carts I would think they would be easier than dragging that distance but you would have to go back to your vechile to get it. I think Ron had the best idea.
Jack

[rraming]

Originally posted by YORNOC:
An ice fishing sled (black plastic) works BEAUTIFUL. I've dragged dozens of deer and elk out whole. It pretty much glides over rough terrain, you just have to tie or ratchet strap them down incase it tips so they don't tumble out. CHEAP!!!!

Any sled will work, plastic cheap things can be found for 20 bucks or less, it's all you need - that is what the first link is (10 sled for 90 bucks).

[PaPaFrank]

I've got a goofy looking orange sled that the kids didn't want anymore....It works GREAT!!

[kevsuperg]

yeah i'll third the jet sled jr.  take the deer,bungee the front legs and back legs together to form the body into a square, tuck the head under the body and throw it in the sled.  couple a bungee's over it and youre good to go. take it into the woods with you and stash it somewhare till you need it .

[kevsuperg]

and you can bungee your bow and pack to it, freeing up both hands.  sweet

[lpcjon2]

As sick as I am I use a clean heavy duty bodybag,yes the ones for humans. I got them from work and in the snow they are the best. You cant get antlers or legs cought on anything. And they will hold a huge deer.
Check out colemans military surplus and other military surplus stores they may have the canvas or HD nylon type.

[Kentucky Jeff]

When I was young and stupid I'd just drag em out by the horns or a front leg.  Then I got older and figured out an easier way using a folding cart like this one here:  

 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/After-the-Shot/Game-Carts-Carriers|/pc/104791680/c/104689980/sc/104353380/Ameristep174-300-lb-Steel-Deer-Cart/847365.uts?destination=%2Fcatal og%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-after-the-shot-game-carts-carriers%2F_%2FN-1100183&WTz_l=SEO%3Bcat104353380

They work great but of course the down side is you end up leaving it with your truck until you have game on the ground which requires a round trip to get the cart.  But if you have several miles to haul a deer its worth it.  My record is 4.5 miles on a 180 lb desert mule deer and after that experience I just gave in an bought an ATV...
 

[jhg]

Originally posted by PaddyMac:
I'm looking for a better way to get a mule deer across a mile or two or rough ground. ...

I have used a drag stick and rope. But dragging a deer, especially if its a heavy body buck that far, will abrade the hair right off the down side unless there is snow or slippery ground cover. Don't ask me how I know this. And for the amount of effort dragging takes, its not worth it IMO. Pack it out, Regardless.

Joshua

[LKH]

Most of the terrain I hunt muleys is too rough to consider dragging.  I'm almost always alone so I just cut up and pack.  Draggine is probably right up there with snow shoveling for promoting a heart attack.  

I think the body bag idea is the best.

[Ray_G]

Paddy,

I have one of those Deer Sleigh'ers and I wouldn't pull a deer on our desert type ground with it.  I have a ton of scrapes in the bottom of mine just from pulling it on 12 - 18" of snow bringing out deer and elk.  Logs, sticks and any rocks sticking out of the snow will gouge and scrape it but at least it rides on the snow well and makes pulling it easier.  On dry ground like our early seasons in the Northwest (unless you are in big timber all the way with soft ground, pine needles, etc.) - no way Hoss!

I bone and pack mine.  

[Killdeer]

I used the Sleigh'r for a lot of years. There is still one in the back of my truck. I would wear it a lot like a back quiver. My spare sweater and maybe rain gear would go inside the tube, along with the drag rope, which, sticking out both ends, became the "quiver strap".

In use, there would be a lot of mulie hanging out of it, even the whitetails had some overage. But it would work better than having nothing. They do get scraped up, but in our softer Virginia mountains, I haven't put a hole in one.

The downside is that it would be bulky, perhaps noisy, and may interfere with your pack. I used a fanny pack and was OK with it.

I eventually decided that the hassle of tying the deer to it, and schlepping the tube around all day was not worth it, as my drags are usually less than a mile. Even less if I don't kill anything.

Killdeer

[adkmountainken]

i can just picture using a sled to take a deer of the mountain i hunt, the thing would run me over the first pull down hill. i would look like Clark W Grizzwald on the silver saucer!!!

[Jack Whitmire Jr]

Cell phone , call some young guys to come help me  

I like as sled also if I have a long pull.

[Killdeer]

If Clark is around, I try to get his attention so that he can bring the plastic toboggan. It never works. That boy is the master of obtuse. But the toboggan is the ticket!

Kenny, your post reminded me of the time I had a doe for a sled. There was fresh snow and...

Killdeer  

[Roadkill]

Bike. No back to the truck and drop off your bow for itsnsafety, and unnecessary gear. Get a drink and push/ride the bike to the kill. A second guy on the other handlebar makes a snap in these rocky mountains