Novice deer hunter searching for my first... As I was pondering the meaning of life and looking down into that nice hardwood bottom, I had an epiphany. I realized that anything I kill will have to be dragged up a steep hill and then another 100 yards or so to my vehicle over rough terrain. I didn't even want to think about shooting anything on the next ridge, that would be an even longer trip. I've seen carts and some guys just quarter it on the spot and pack it out in game bag. I am curious what yall have found to be the best way to get your meat back to the vehicle?

Shoot only those with large dragging handles , gut them and start pulling is what I've always done.

Ya I've killed a few that I could only pull back on n fall back to move it up hill in a few spots...if that's not possible then u gotta make several trips packing it out....luckily I hunt close to home n have plenty of people I've helped before I can call to help

Quarter it up and pack it out is the easiest way. I don’t use game bags cause I’m not hanging it overnight. I use garbage bags.

Hunt closer to the road........

I usually back my mule or truck up to them and pull them up in the back and go home

Then use a FEL

Yep. Just shoot big deer so you aren't cursin yourself too much on hour 4 of your drag out.

I killed two last year that were really good deer and that was all I wanted! I drug one out that I killed in a swampy hardwood bottom by myself and it almost killed me. The next one I used a cart to wheel it out of the swamp bottom and the tires just mired up in the mud making the carrier useless. Once I got this one out I couldnt get it on the 4 wheeler so I just pulled cart and all up on the trailer and hauled it home. Hunting by myself has its advantages and disadvantages!

I want to order me another deer carrier but I have not decided which one I need that will work the best. I will be following this thread as well.

B

A kids snow sled (plastic) works better in those situations.

What josh said. Ain't no easy way if you are by yourself, but the sled is as easy as it's gonna get.

Pack frames make the job a lot easier.

Have a good buddy!

Four wheeler or long rope and winch

Depends on the situation. If I can’t get them to break in to a dead run towards the truck, A jet sled or a deer sleigher

Decoy sled. Look it up fellers

Keep a saw in the truck. I killed a 200+ pound deer 3 years ado and was able to cut down enough trash trees to get the mule to him. No way in the world I could’ve drug that deer 600 yards up a hollow.

I bought a Glen’s deer drag long time ago - prob cost $12. I hav drug lot of deer out w that - still hard - but way better than grabbing the old horn and dragging

It’s basically a ski handle rope - may want to invest in one. I hv loaded deer up in back of my truck with it too by myself - w out it I never would hav - I saw them still being sold on line last year - probably still available

Choose you hunting spots wisely. I like a place I can drag them down hill to a road and drive the gator to them. I'd rather shoot them in the road though and not have to drag them at all.

Depends on the terrain. Deer carts work great in certain areas, good ole fashion grab and go is my usual go to and taking one apart and packing out