Mountain Whitetail Kill Kit

[SloppyJ]

Any of you fellas know a good way to hang a deer using saddle ropes? Or something else lightweight.

I’ve cut a few up and it’s much better than dragging, just wonder how I get a deer hanging from a limb so I’m not working on the ground.

People seem to like these.

https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/pynch-pulley

 

[Prairiekid]

Solo? Whats the problem with working on the ground? Thats SOP.
I wouldnt bother hanging, as you’ll likely need a 3:1 or better to get it hung by yourself. its tough to use really skinny cord, and having thicker cord takes up space and weight. If you must hang it (why??) then i’d want 25’+ of the thickest cord I can accept carrying (have to reach over a big branch and back to ground) plus you’ll need a couple carabiners or mini pulleys to give you enough mechanical advantage to get it hung. And probably a sapling cut to go through the hocks to hang it from. Frankly its just not worth it unless you are in some wacky-azz situation like in standing water, etc. Cut it on the ground, lay meat on the hide or on a small sheet of plastic or tyvek, then into bags. Then flip, and repeat for the other side. Its fast, clean, no equipment needed, and no time futzing with branches, hanging, etc.

I’m with Macintosh,

It’s way too much effort to hang it in the woods. I don’t have a garage so I just got used to processing deer when I got them home whole on a table in the backyard. After a few brutal drag outs I decided I was always going to be ready to quarter them in the field and hike them out. It’s so much easier on the body and transfers to if you ever hunt, elk, moose or even mule deer. By the time I would manage to get my deer hanging I would probably have it half quartered out or completely done. A big deer is freaking heavy. Plus that way you’re not dragging stuff out of the woods you don’t need and nature can clean it up. If it’s cold out be prepared to light a fire and just take your time.

 

[Lowg08]

To answer the question you can always hang your platform up high enough and I carry a small snatch block just because of some of the places I hunt. You and tie it through one Achilles and hoist it up. No problem at all

 

[The_Dinkmaster]

Any of you fellas know a good way to hang a deer using saddle ropes? Or something else lightweight.

I’ve cut a few up and it’s much better than dragging, just wonder how I get a deer hanging from a limb so I’m not working on the ground.

Im like you; rather hang it if I could. Makes thinks quicker and easier.

Best method Ive seen is to hang your saddle platform to a tree about 6 foot off the ground. Clasp your carabiner with your ropeman to the outside edge of the platform (if you can). Then use the other end of the tether to attach the deer's head or leg, and use the ropeman as your pulley system. If it'll hold your body weight leaning off a tree it'll hold up a deer. I would definitely gut it first as it would make pulling it up a lot easier. Also might have to raise the deer and pull the slack rope a little at a time to get it up.

I saw a video of it somewhere but cant find it now

 

[Macintosh]

I guess I'm a little confused why folks think its so much easier to hang a deer in order to cut it up for a pack-out, than it is to do the same on the ground. Can some of you guys who prefer this chime in with some details-- is it a functional difference, or just preference, or are you doing something different than I am? Even at home I think the only reason I ever hang a deer is just to help it cool, otherwise I'd probably just cut it into quarters on a table and cut it up for packaging from there.

IME after doing it a handful of times, it is fast and easy to skin one side from belly to backbone and lay that half the hide out, remove front and rear shoulders, cut the backstraps, neck meat, and ribs, and have it all bagged, then flip to the other side and repeat. Takes maybe 30 min to do a deer this way, keeps everything off the ground, and is easy with one person with NO lifting required. To me any comfort difference is short-lived, as quartering for a pack out goes fast, and is more than offset by the hassle of hanging (even from a platform). A small tarp, maybe 3'x5', can give you some more clean working space if needed. Add maybe 30min if you are deboning the shoulders, I'm slower at that. I am genuinely curious what the advantage people see in hanging first. I can see how it might be a little easier to skin, and maybe the backstraps are a little easier (although thats maybe the easiest part to begin with)--butI'd also say opening the hip socket open on the rear legs is easier on the ground than it is hanging.

 

[nettereo16]

I guess I'm a little confused why folks think its so much easier to hang a deer in order to cut it up for a pack-out, than it is to do the same on the ground. Can some of you guys who prefer this chime in with some details-- is it a functional difference, or just preference, or are you doing something different than I am?

I think it’s just personal preference, nothing wrong with doing it on the ground. I’ve done a few deer on the ground and it’s fine, but I would rather be standing if I can. You can keep it clean on the ground too but it requires more care. Also there’s some tricks - putting your body weight against the skin in a single pull & backstraps peel back. I don’t even gut and get the tenderloins from the back. This video is the technique I do once it’s hanging, very efficient

 

[The_Dinkmaster]

I guess I'm a little confused why folks think its so much easier to hang a deer in order to cut it up for a pack-out, than it is to do the same on the ground. Can some of you guys who prefer this chime in with some details-- is it a functional difference, or just preference, or are you doing something different than I am? Even at home I think the only reason I ever hang a deer is just to help it cool, otherwise I'd probably just cut it into quarters on a table and cut it up for packaging from there.

IME after doing it a handful of times, it is fast and easy to skin one side from belly to backbone and lay that half the hide out, remove front and rear shoulders, cut the backstraps, neck meat, and ribs, and have it all bagged, then flip to the other side and repeat. Takes maybe 30 min to do a deer this way, keeps everything off the ground, and is easy with one person with NO lifting required. To me any comfort difference is short-lived, as quartering for a pack out goes fast, and is more than offset by the hassle of hanging (even from a platform). A small tarp, maybe 3'x5', can give you some more clean working space if needed. Add maybe 30min if you are deboning the shoulders, I'm slower at that. I am genuinely curious what the advantage people see in hanging first. I can see how it might be a little easier to skin, and maybe the backstraps are a little easier (although thats maybe the easiest part to begin with)--butI'd also say opening the hip socket open on the rear legs is easier on the ground than it is hanging.

So much cleaner to me. Dont have to carry a tarp. Dont have to work on the ground. Plus I feel like I waste less meat. But obv if it doesnt work for you then it doesnt work. Im already carrying the platform, ropes, and a a ropeman I can use to hold the deer up. Why not just use it?