I made the mistake of trying that carry method with a whitetail doe I shot last year about 10 kms from my truck. My son and I beat ourselves up getting it out. Never again. I will think twice shooting that far my truck and its back pack carry from now on
Game retrieval
- Thread starter 444shooter
- Start date
We use the econo plastic boggans
drill the side rails with numerous holes to lace a rope through and draw tight across the game, looks like tightening boot laces
A nice tight wrap makes for a good holopchi, easy to keep contained and great for loading into the p/u
drill the side rails with numerous holes to lace a rope through and draw tight across the game, looks like tightening boot laces
A nice tight wrap makes for a good holopchi, easy to keep contained and great for loading into the p/u
I use plastic ice fishng sleighs for guiding bear hunters. We access the stands by boat, and there aren’t any trails to use a quad on if I could get one there anyway. Skinning on location has its own problems; the last one I did like that had an audience of 4 bears who wouldn’t leave even after the Idaho client emptied a mag of 300 Win. One did go to the boat and busted a 5 gallon pail of fryer oil, then came back. Between that, the mosquitos and a boat trip back in the dark it sort of took the fun out of it. Had to back the next day and get rid of the carcass anyway.
With the sleigh and a chainsaw it gets pretty easy with two people. I’ve done it with women who didn’t look like linebackers. Once at the boat, dry and clean because sleighs are both wayerproof and float the sleigh gives shape and handles to the task. Dead bears have neither. Lift the front end onto a gunnel then lift and push the rear end and its loaded. You don’t even get blood in the boat. Once back at camp I beach the boat, pull it up a bit farther with my quad then slide the sleigh out on dry land. I hook the sleigh to the quad, drag it up the machine shed and skin it. Then the carcass goes back in the sleigh and gets one last ride to its final resting place where the birds and bears clean it up..
So far I haven’t found a client that would pull me around on the sleigh but I hasn’t completely given up on that plan. Even saving me walking one way would help; both ways would be even better.
With the sleigh and a chainsaw it gets pretty easy with two people. I’ve done it with women who didn’t look like linebackers. Once at the boat, dry and clean because sleighs are both wayerproof and float the sleigh gives shape and handles to the task. Dead bears have neither. Lift the front end onto a gunnel then lift and push the rear end and its loaded. You don’t even get blood in the boat. Once back at camp I beach the boat, pull it up a bit farther with my quad then slide the sleigh out on dry land. I hook the sleigh to the quad, drag it up the machine shed and skin it. Then the carcass goes back in the sleigh and gets one last ride to its final resting place where the birds and bears clean it up..
So far I haven’t found a client that would pull me around on the sleigh but I hasn’t completely given up on that plan. Even saving me walking one way would help; both ways would be even better.
This frame was from a pull behind a bike stroller. It is extremely light weight and a back alley freebee. Removed everything but the frame and both this sled and the larger model from CT fit nicely. I use the bigger sled for hauling decoys. Both sleds are quick remove, this one pulls through the snow in late season and the big one floats like a wee Jon boat. It can be pulled behind the boat full of decoys or is easy to pull wading. I recently found a run behind stroller with good wheels and frame but haven't repurposed yet.
I used a dolly the year by back was bad in 2021. It worked but not ideal. Then I got a sled, it’s awesome. It also keeps the juices contained in the vehicle on the way home. But the sled sucks when there is no snow. I am working on a kart that I can put the sled on when there is no snow. Basically a square tube frame, an axle with large wheels and a handle.
