Field Aids for Disabled Hunters - Hauling, Dressing, Skinning, Transport, etc.

[USAF Ret]

I took a good size doe last night. I had my 4-wheeler set up with one of those little SUV hitch carriers to haul the deer out to my truck. For a guy who used to be a weight lifter, it is disheartening to not be able to even pull a 100lb doe 6 inches off the ground onto a platform. The young man that works the property came out and helped me get it to the truck, dress, and quarter it. If it were not for him, I would have not been able to do it.

For our disabled and older hunters. What really good mechanical aids and other techniques do you use for getting a deer out, dressing, breaking the deer down, transporting, and processing?

I am sure I am not the only one with physical limitations. Thanks Rokslide Community.

 

[Macintosh]

I dont know the answer, but Im following. Unrelated but sort of related, my not-disabled but middle-aged wife will be hunting out of state with an older woman-friend of hers this week, and she’s not un-worried about the same thing. Will be following for her and some others.

 

[BLJ]

If I were in a similar situation I would be bringing it out in pieces.
Quarters and backstraps. Anything that I won’t be eating won’t be brought out.
Maybe leave the quarters on the bone depending on scenario. IMO.

 

[BLJ]

Also to add.
I use pynch oulleys and cord for holding legs, head or whatever else.
Big difference when stuff not moving.

 

[USAF Ret]

If I were in a similar situation I would be bringing it out in pieces.
Quarters and backstraps. Anything that I won’t be eating won’t be brought out.
Maybe leave the quarters on the bone depending on scenario. IMO.

It is still a bit of work for an old man. I have seen folks suggesting doing a gutless quarter. I have never done that before.

 

[USAF Ret]

Also to add.
I use pynch oulleys and cord for holding legs, head or whatever else.
Big difference when stuff not moving.

I saw one of those contraptions you can bolt to your hitch with a pully system to lift the deer for skinning and gutting. Unfortunately I have a trailer on the truck for my 4-wheeler.

 

[KyleR1985]

It is still a bit of work for an old man. I have seen folks suggesting doing a gutless quarter. I have never done that before.

If you’re in good enough shape to take the deer apart on the ground where it died, do it.

Have a good zipper to make quick work of getting hide opened up. 20-30lb hams are the heaviest thing you’ll lift from there as you cut the quarters and straps off.

There’s some good lightweight pulley systems if you need to get the deer elevated to take it apart too. But where it lies is the most efficient if you can handle being on the ground with it.

 

[Billy Goat]

If you can get an atv to it, why not just drag it? Literally before I knew better would drag deer for miles. Don't go 20 mph, but a walking pace pulling a carcass should be fine.

Few different ways to use pulleys to get it in vehicle, or on the rack of the atv to then drive onto vehicle or trailer. Or over a branch to butcher it.

If atv has a winch it should be easy to make a cradle on the front similar to a loader arm/bucket that allows you to lift it a bit with the winch and drive it out.