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?

 

[Macintosh]

@nettereo16 @The_Dinkmaster thanks. Not that it doesnt work, was just wondering the rationale. For me the tradeoff in time and energy spent hanging isnt worth it and I dont think the benefit of a better job is there for me. But if you feel otherwise that makes sense. Really was curious.
Where I tend to pack deer out of Im usually not carrying a stand, but if its an option that would solve some of the hassle. Even in my garage with a real gambrel its not nothing to get a deer hung high enough by myself, so its not unlikely that I just suck at hanging deer!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

@nettereo16 @The_Dinkmaster thanks. Not that it doesnt work, was just wondering the rationale. For me the tradeoff in time and energy spent hanging isnt worth it and I dont think the benefit of a better job is there for me. But if you feel otherwise that makes sense. Really was curious.
Where I tend to pack deer out of Im usually not carrying a stand, but if its an option that would solve some of the hassle. Even in my garage with a real gambrel its not nothing to get a deer hung high enough by myself, so its not unlikely that I just suck at hanging deer!

My mother used to take about 15 minutes to skin out a buck on the laundry room floor. Then we would halve it, quarter it, and throw it on the chopping block one quarter at a time. With two of us working on it, we could get it into the deep freeze within an hour of dragging it back.

 

[Brushcreekbill]

I started keeping a few wet wipes in my kill kit.
It’s nice to clean up my hands. But the main reason I being them along is to clean up my knife.
Dried blood can stain pretty quick

 

[nettereo16]

I started keeping a few wet wipes in my kill kit.
It’s nice to clean up my hands. But the main reason I being them along is to clean up my knife.
Dried blood can stain pretty quick

I save all those wipes the airlines give you when you board for my kill kits ! Very handy. I usually dont use gloves and just use these at the end to clean up

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Surgical gloves, a Kershaw Folding Field knife, a half dozen paper towels (also useful as field TP), and a length of rope or stout old dog leash is all I have in my kill kit. The surgical gloves make cleanup much easier.

I did get a pair of cut-proof gloves for this year, but I haven’t used them yet.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Tyto and spare blade and Vic pairing knife.
Game Bags
$1.00 poncho
325 cord
Small section flagging tape
2 pair rubber gloves
Gauze and small section of gorilla tape
Premade paper tag
Headlamp
Saw always in pack for fire wood,shooting lanes,limbs etc.
Wipes always I pack.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

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.

I like to hang myself but more of a hybrid style. Like you. I due mostly gutless method. Start on one side hide off. But when I separate a qrt I hang it of a branch with 550 and a Wiser quick pully then debone and bag. Setup barley takes a min, and find I can keep everything alot cleaner than working off a ground tarp, and just find not having to lean over and working at eye level is just more enjoyable. Really comes in handy when dealing with elk qrts solo.

 

[Macintosh]

@PredatoronthePrairie since you are not hanging the entire animal as I understand it, only quarters after being separated from the carcass, I think for the purposes of this convo that counts as “not hanging at all”, ie the work of actually breaking down the animal is accomplished on the ground. At least as far as Im concerned.

I get where folks are coming from hanging as far as preference/comfort or if there’s a slight edge in how clean they can be. Im curious at this point exactly what it looks like for a guy hunting solo to hang a 175-ishlb deer solo in the field. Imo anyone can break down a deer-sized animal in just a few minutes for transport regardless if hanging or not, its the mechanics of hanging a person-sized critter high-enough to matter by yourself that seems difficult to me. Especially when you dont have the ratchet winch like in the video. I want that video of a solo dude getting a buck hung off a stand using their tether, or 550-cord and those little mini-pulleys! I cant picture that being an easy or fast process even with hanging it from a stand, etc. Thats the part I question. But maybe its easier than I think—if so Id love a lesson, thatd be something I could benefit from.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

@Macintosh Agree. Don't see the advantage, or would even want to try to get the entire animal off the ground. I just like to debone qrts infield to save cooler space and weight on the trips out.

 

[The_Dinkmaster]

@PredatoronthePrairie since you are not hanging the entire animal as I understand it, only quarters after being separated from the carcass, I think for the purposes of this convo that counts as “not hanging at all”, ie the work of actually breaking down the animal is accomplished on the ground. At least as far as Im concerned.

I get where folks are coming from hanging as far as preference/comfort or if there’s a slight edge in how clean they can be. Im curious at this point exactly what it looks like for a guy hunting solo to hang a 175-ishlb deer solo in the field. Imo anyone can break down a deer-sized animal in just a few minutes for transport regardless if hanging or not, its the mechanics of hanging a person-sized critter high-enough to matter by yourself that seems difficult to me. Especially when you dont have the ratchet winch like in the video. I want that video of a solo dude getting a buck hung off a stand using their tether, or 550-cord and those little mini-pulleys! I cant picture that being an easy or fast process even with hanging it from a stand, etc. Thats the part I question. But maybe its easier than I think—if so Id love a lesson, thatd be something I could benefit from.

Part of the reason I can is bc where I hunt in the mountains the deer are small bodied with very little fat. Id say most deer average 140lbs on the hoof. Once you gut one it isnt too difficult to get him up off the ground, but it aint fun either.

I wouldnt bother for a 200lb midwest deer. Id clean it on the ground too lol

 

[Macintosh]

Well, I cant claim 200lb deer, I dont think those are legit common anywhere, but still I dunno man. I just hung a 110lb doe in my garage by myself the other night. I'm 6'3", almost 200lb, I'm not crazy strong but not a weakling either (???), and it was NOT easy. I had to rig an additional mechanical advantage to get the head off the ground, could not do it otherwise. No way do I want to rig that and do it in the field, in the dark, before packing it out a couple miles. Maybe I am just older and weaker than I give myself credit for!