First Hunt - Hauling Deer From The Bush?

[2fat2fly]

And they are valid concerns. Learning to reduce a big game animal to manageable sized pieces is best learned from a mentor for sure but there are some excellent internet resources. I'd suggest a Google search for "gutless method of field dressing" This is what we use on remote hunts for critters from deer and sheep to elk and moose.

Having a bear come creeping in is a concern as well. We had a very close encounter with a grizz a few years ago while working on an elk. It's very rare but it can happen but if you are prepared you can typically still get your meat out without serious incident.

Being able to get meat out from remote locations definitely increases your odds of success as you are not competing with other hunters.

I'd look real close at the regs...My cousin was charged for wasting meat with this method.
You have to take all useable meat.

 

[Scott_N]

I'd look real close at the regs...My cousin was charged for wasting meat with this method.
You have to take all useable meat.

I've never used the gutless method, what part was wasted that got your cousin charged? Was this in SK?

 

[blasted_saber]

I usually haul them home (5 minutes away) un-gutted, and it is a hell of a job loading it onto an ATV with 2 people. 300+ lbs of dead weight

Try standing atv up in air, tie to back rack, stand atv upright again. Easy to do.

Why dont you gut it first? Ive never understoid why people would rather do that at home

 

[fratri]

A nice small sled with a few bungle cord helps alot and keeps the inside of the vehicle nice and clean...

 

[rhino519]

I'm going up to 21A after Thanksgiving to see if I can fill my bull moose tag this year (so far by myself it appears). The potential size of the animal and the problems in getting it out of the bush are the only things I've got trepidation about. I hope the weather is not overly warm because it will take me several trips to get it all out and the first loads will be sitting in my car while I go back for susbequent loads on foot. Hmmm, maybe put the A/C on and leave the car idling, lmao, are you kidding at the price of gas now?????. I'll just have to stay closer to roads.

hmm, my group will be that ways, if you need a hand try channel 3 or 15, if im in range ill come give you a hand

 

[canthitathing]

hmm, my group will be that ways, if you need a hand try channel 3 or 15, if im in range ill come give you a hand

Big thanks, great offer. I don't really know yet where exactly I'll go, never been up that way, got to look over topo maps and google earth but am thinking Northwest of Marathon somewhere within say 1/2 hr driving distance of town. However, if I'm knee-deep in bull moose I'll yell for Rhino519, lol.

 

[rhino519]

Big thanks, great offer. I don't really know yet where exactly I'll go, never been up that way, got to look over topo maps and google earth but am thinking Northwest of Marathon somewhere within say 1/2 hr driving distance of town. However, if I'm knee-deep in bull moose I'll yell for Rhino519, lol.

its our first time there as well, we will be somewhere half way between Long Lake and 11 where it heads south to meet with 17, if you drive by and see a guy panning in a river instead of hunting its me

 

[beefman]

Why dont you gut it first? Ive never understoid why people would rather do that at home

That was my quote...I haul it home ungutted usually because I have to recover them in the swamp. It keeps that lovely swamp water from contaminating the meat.

Then when I get home, I hang them up with the bucket on the tractor.

 

[fiddler]

I used to drag them out. Now I make them walk to the trail close to my vehicle where I shoot them.

 

[Jeeptag]

A note of caution, beware of swamps with a heavy pack.

We almost lost dad when he fell face down in a swamp with a moose quarter on his back. He could not get enough solid ground under his hands to get his face out of the water. Lucky someone saw him fall, dropped their pack and pulled him out.

My first drag I tried to use a cheap furniture dolly. I DO NOT recommend this method, it took 2 of us 7.5 hours to drag out a deer.

I have used a game cart by myself with good success, gets a bit tough in the mud, and on frozen ground they are easy.

 

[rhino519]

did dragging, used sled as well, but found out a short section of aluminum ladder carried litter style by two guys works the best, if i could find a short axel and two small wheels i would try making a cart but till i find something like that dragging it is