Gotta be an easier way to do business...

A

AbLonewolf

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Father Time is finally catching up with me, and I'm sure many more around here.

We again had a very successful November hunt and between our group, harvested 3 decent 170ish+ whitetail bucks. One of them turned out to be a bit of a challenge, other than the fact it was minus 26C and 1 foot of snow.

It was shot by one of the guys at the edge of a field just before sunset, and as most whitetails will do, bolted into the bush. Found the dead animal about 300 yards in some heavy bush. Great! No problems!

So as usual, same was gutted and was going to be dragged back to a location where it could be loaded in a truck. Well this turned out to be a bit of a chore for me and my buddy. Half way through the hike, snow froze up on the hide making things harder. So we cut it in half, and finished it off with 2 trips. Amazing how deer get heavier when we get older...

That night, while enjoying a cocktail or 2, we discussed our "limitations", as most can probably relate. Many issues and or problems are usually resolved at Camp after the hunt... :d

During my earlier years, this was routine to me...moose, elk, deer...no problems. But now that I am getting older, and maybe a little more wiser, there has to be an easier to deal with similar circumstances.

Checked some of those plastic sleds, and there are many of them around, and some reasonably priced (ie. Shappell Jet Sled at Cabelas). Comes in 3 different sizes.

My question is: Anyone out there have used these types of pull sleds and are they a good tool for this type of activity?

Thank You in advance.
 
AbLonewolf said:
Father Time is finally catching up with me, and I'm sure many more around here.

We again had a very successful November hunt and between our group, harvested 3 decent 170ish+ whitetail bucks. One of them turned out to be a bit of a challenge, other than the fact it was minus 26C and 1 foot of snow.

It was shot by one of the guys at the edge of a field just before sunset, and as most whitetails will do, bolted into the bush. Found the dead animal about 300 yards in some heavy bush. Great! No problems!

So as usual, same was gutted and was going to be dragged back to a location where it could be loaded in a truck. Well this turned out to be a bit of a chore for me and my buddy. Half way through the hike, snow froze up on the hide making things harder. So we cut it in half, and finished it off with 2 trips. Amazing how deer get heavier when we get older...

That night, while enjoying a cocktail or 2, we discussed our "limitations", as most can probably relate. Many issues and or problems are usually resolved at Camp after the hunt... :d

During my earlier years, this was routine to me...moose, elk, deer...no problems. But now that I am getting older, and maybe a little more wiser, there has to be an easier to deal with similar circumstances.

Checked some of those plastic sleds, and there are many of them around, and some reasonably priced (ie. Shappell Jet Sled at Cabelas). Comes in 3 different sizes.

My question is: Anyone out there have used these types of pull sleds and are they a good tool for this type of activity?

Thank You in advance.
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My draggin deer days are long gone! Wheels or sled will have to be. My Dad always told me "gettin old ain't for sissys" I just laughed at him, until now!
I'm happy just to still be able to take walk in the bush with dog on a nice day!
 
I used a Pelican 6' plastic sled sold by Canadian tire, for 37.00 on sale, to transport my Cow bison about a kilometer up hill to my Jeep. I was alone, and it took 5 trips. I would still be there if it wasn't for the sled,and that was two years ago. Oh yea, I was 52 at the time.
 
got 2 out of 3 sons to do the muscle work while hunting nowadays. Yeah, getting old sucks! A rope usually works fine to pull. Might take a look at a cheap sleigh next time at a store. Good idea! Thanks for posting, OP.
 
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two-dogs said:
got 2 out of 3 sons to do the muscle work nowadays. Yeah, getting old sucks! A rope usually works fine to pull. Might take a look at a cheap sleigh next time at a store. Good idea! Thanks for posting, OP.
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Good idea! My grand kids (are 3,2, & 1. I can hardly wait to get them out there hunting.
 
As mentioned the peavey mart orange calf sled fits a deer nicely. Give the bottom and sides about 8 coats of wax, drill some evenly spaced holes through the top edge curl for bungee cords to hold it in and bob's your uncle.

Either that or bone on the spot and pack out meat with packboard (then you don't have to walk back to the truck for the sled ;) )
 
I too use the larger pelican they have at ct. It's mainly used for waterfowl hunting as I wade through water it hauls my gear and dead ducks.

I used it once to haul out a big buck. My friend has one and he uses it for deer all seasom
 
I too have a 6 foot Pelican sled from Canadian Tire and it works great for pulling deer off the fields. We also take a 2 wheel cart with us , in case of no snow. These tools make it alot easier for a guy.
 
I am not in that age range yet. I pack my icefishing gear threw snow all winter in a hand sled. could easily hold a quarter of a moose.
 
I know the feeling!! After 52 moose seasons completed, I hate dragging any amount of a moose very far.

This year's immature bull was a snap, I could drive right up to him with the pickup.

But I still was grateful for help in loading him into my truck, lol. :)

I don't mind dragging the occasional deer still, as long as it's down hill.

Definitely, anything to make it slide easier is a good thing.

Regards, Dave.
 
Squamch said:
My dad has a rule for where to shoot moose; "In the neck, and on the road."
And he's always nice enough to invite me and a couple buddies on the hunt. For the company, I'm sure.
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oh no no no,:runaway: we're not talking "road hunting" here are we? OMG, Please say it isn't so! Does your rifle have a DM, the road hunter's delight mag or the old old old fixed box magazine, ya know, load from the top and unload from the top, and of coarse never ever lose a single cartridge ever lost in the tundra with those! This road hunting thing can and will stir up more dust than a thunder storm and high winds like a mini tornado! You did say shoot it on the road, right?
 
I use a Dead Sled. I'm don't know whether they are still made, but it's basically a Crazy Carpet in black with straps to lash it around the deer and a tow line. You could improvise with a real Crazy Carpet. The advantage over the sleds is you can carry it rolled up until you get to the deer.
 
I have a calf sled and that helps a lot, but I pick and choose my hunting areas for easy retrieval. I hunt the early muzzleloading season so I don't have to deal with a lot of snow. It really sucks getting old, but I would rather compromise than quit.
 
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