Even cheaper solution is cut a 6-8” pc of pvc for a handle and run a rope through to use as a puller. Keep in your truck or pack. Still not easy but muchbetter than the normal drag. Some folks hook deer drags and hook into your safety harness but I’ve never done that.

This.

I pulled a 365 pound mule deer over a mile using a sled. It wasn’t fun but wouldn’t have even been possible without the sled. Could have been much easier if their had been snow.

Hawk Crawler

I tote mine out like this

Matt, imm assuming you didnt have to call the dog on that one

Debone right where he fell and tote the meat out in a pack. Head in one hand and gun in the other. Have killed big bodied bucks in some rough, long haul places and this is the only way I will ever do it so long as I am able. Assuming I cant legally or easily get a truck or 4 wheeler to it of course.

I keep a gambrel and pulley combo as well as a rolling cooler in the truck. I clean the deer wherever it dies then roll the meat out in the cooler.

I use TC’s method.
I call it my John Deere Retriever

JET SLED by name.

If it's a doe, cut a hole across her nose from right nostril to left nostril. Make sure your knife is cutting across the nostrils and point the blade toward the eyes as you do NOT want to cut through the tip of the deer's nose. In other words.... pierce the doe's nose with your knife. Now, using whatever tool; I use my ratchet cut limb pruners to cut approx a 5-6" sapling or limb the diameter of my middle finger or maybe my thumb. Take that 5" or 6" limb (it can't be too flexible) you've cut and widdle a sharp point on one end. With the sharp point leading the way, insert that limb into the deer's nose with equal sides of the limb sticking out on the right & left side of the deer's nose. Now, split or spread your fingers apart and you'll be able to grab the limb fairly easily and when you pull on the limb that's in the deer's nose, the head and shoulders will be lifted off the ground and the deer will slide with ease across the ground. It's the best way to drag a doe if you don't have any other way.

On places where I hunt way back this is the only way.

I usually keep my kill kit and frame pack in the truck. After the shot walk back and get your stuff. In an hour or so your on the way out with all the goodies.

Look on YouTube for the “gutless method”

I use a old around the waist safety harness loop it over one shoulder grab the strap with the other hand ,,,,,, lean foward use your weight to help pull

I've never had to drag a fish uphill.

What did ya shoot that big un with? 17 HMR?

I've got a Hunters Safety Systems harness that has a D ring at the bottom of the back of it. I made a rope with a loop on one end and a big quick link on the other. Loop it around the deers neck and half hitch around the deers nose. Lean forward and get to walking. It works well till I get to a place that the Foreman 500 can get.

A long rope and a snatch block. Hook rope and snatch block to tree. One end to truck other to deer. Start pulling. Yes it does work. And it can be done with a much smaller rope than you might think.

There is not an easy way, there are easier ways than others, but there isn't an easy way. After the shot, the real work begins, even trying to pick the big things up and put them in an UTV or a truck is still hard work by yourself. There are gimmicks to make it easier, but . . .

Teenagers and $20

Squat low, pull hard