Dragging deer in your older years

[Steuben Jerry]

I am thankful to be fortunate enough to have a property layout that allows me to get a tractor or 4 wheeler to most areas of the place. In fact we’ve been able to drive right up to the last dozen or so deer that we’ve dropped here. Or at worst, within 50 yds of them. Occasionally though, one has to be tracked and then dragged a couple of hundred yards to where we can access with a machine.

I dragged an undressed buck about 60 yds up a tangled brushy bank to a field edge this year and I’ve got to say, holy crap have I gotten out of shape! Thought my heart was going to burst. I have been lucky that I don’t think I’ve dragged a deer an inch in probably 8-10 years. Well, I was in my mid 50’s then, and I’ll be 64 next month. What a freaking difference that decade made!

I had a desk job for years before I retired and I feel like it really shows. Is it just me or are you guys in your mid 60’s still dragging deer like teenagers?

[Lawdwaz]

61 here Jerry and the doe I shot had to come up a bank 20-25 yards then I could drive to it.   I figured I’d just slide it with the guts in side hill to where I wanted to gut her.    That was dumb…..

Why I didn’t loop my Rope and a strap around her and pull with the truck I don’t know.   I guess I just had to prove it to myself that I could still do it.   

[Robhuntandfish]

Im 51 but every year i have to drag a deer and get to the the truck i tell myself "ticker is good for another year" .  Luckily the spot we hunt now is flat as a pancake just terrible brushy.  i use a hand cart and never drag anymore unless its so thick i cant get in there. And get it to a trail for the 4 wheeler. And hell its a struggle to get the deer in the truck!  i have to use a ratchet strap to assist/hold one end while i get the other end in.  

[Lawdwaz]

I towed one out for a friend last week with my Honda.   I owed him one for him towing one out for me in 2010.   Lol

 

[G-man]

Fortunately  i can get to about anywhere with the little kubota  the pallet fork converted to deer lift  only requires à short drag onto it and then its lefted and carried away.  I recently made a winch set up for the tractor as well made to haul  a log or two as farm winches were to expensive for me to justify a log or two for the mill.  If one gets down the ravine i can send  a nephew down to hook it up to the deer  or owrse case go down myself and use the winch remote to haul said deer and myself out.... lol

[GreeneHunter]

I went and bought one of these to make it a little easier (for my son LOL)

 

[Bucndoe]

Get a Jet Sled or bring some kids with you to hunt

Put wear bars on the Jet Sled, you won't be sorry

Edited November 29, 2022 by Bucndoe

[GroanALot]

Take a break every few feet…you can do it!

[Nomad]

I got one word , Jet Sled ! 
 

Most of my drags will be 1/2 mile, I’ll be 64 this March the Jet Sled makes the drag way easier . This years buck while not all that big was a difficult drag, uphill grade across a muddy cut bean field , I could get a few steps at a time, and I was slipping while doing it . I decided to go to the truck, dump my coat and gun and get the sled ( which I should have brought in with me .)

Once at the truck I also called a nearby friend with an ATV , I didn’t do it right away as I knew he’d break my balls for not passing this buck , which he did ,said it needed another FIVE years , but I figured that was better then a heart attack.. He would come in an hour ,once he was done hunting , while waiting, I pulled the deer in the sled , I got 40  yards easy at a time  .

We towed it by ATV in the sled, dirt and water free, once at the truck a guy on each side, an easy lift up, slides in, keeps truck blood free too .

[Dogman]

At 63 I feel like the O/P -

Only thing you didn't mention that I make mention to all the time is " I used to be stronger" as I take my next step...

[GroanALot]

16 minutes ago, Nomad said:

I got one word , Jet Sled ! 
 

Most of my drags will be 1/2 mile, I’ll be 64 this March the Jet Sled makes the drag way easier . This years buck while not all that big was a difficult drag, uphill grade across a muddy cut bean field , I could get a few steps at a time, and I was slipping while doing it . I decided to go to the truck, dump my coat and gun and get the sled ( which I should have brought in with me .)

Once at the truck I also called a nearby friend with an ATV , I didn’t do it right away as I knew he’d break my balls for not passing this buck , which he did ,said it needed another FIVE years , but I figured that was better then a heart attack.. He would come in an hour ,once he was done hunting , while waiting, I pulled the deer in the sled , I got 40  yards easy at a time  .

We towed it by ATV in the sled, dirt and water free, once at the truck a guy on each side, an easy lift up, slides in, keeps truck blood free too .

That’s 2 words haha nice bucks

[Nomad]

1 minute ago, GroanALot said:

That’s 2 words haha nice bucks

Yep, that’s why I said one ….

thanks.

[jperch]

I am 68 and often hunt alone.  A jet sled does make a huge difference.  Horns and legs don't get tangled up in brush and less friction.  Not only does it make for a much easier drag in the woods, the deer will stay cleaner.  And when you get to your truck or UTV it's easier to load with a single person with a jet sled.  (Lift one edge to the tailgate, etc.)

[Lawdwaz]

Can you really reef on that JetSled with a ATV with the deer in it?  (I mean within reason?)

[jperch]

Just now, Lawdwaz said:

Can you really reef on that JetSled with a ATV with the deer in it?  (I mean within reason?)

Yes, they are made of very thick plastic and made to carry lots of heavy gear over ice.  As others have said, they make runners for the bottom which a lot of ice fisherman use because bare ice is very abrasive.