I hunt public land exclusively. There are times where the hunting pressure gets pretty heavy. Thankfully where I hunt there are thousands of acres. I'm sure there is a lot of undistirbed territory. There are many reasons for this, but I'm sure the main reason is "who in the world could drag a deer that far"
I want to venture out into some of this low pressure area, but I admit that I don't want to drag a deer that far either. I shouldn't say that I don't want to, truth is, I couldn't.
So, the question is, what are some options? Vehicles are not permitted. I have always utilized every morsel of every deer that I have ever taken. But the woods are screaming for me to explore. I'm not a rack hunter by any means. I just want to venture out away from the crowd. But, I also want to honor the harvest, and do what's right with it.
I've heard the mention of boning out, or packing out, or quartering out. I'm just wondering what you all think is acceptable, and ethical.
What do your state game laws say?
Ethics are personal.
Some states require proof of sex, some states require just a call in.... depends on your state requirements.
Where allowed, I will utilize the gut-less method and take the meat out. Wild critters got to eat also.
I have quartered and packed deer, as well as elk and bear. If you are a long way from the truck, there aren't many options other than that. I once used one of those game carts to get a deer out and it damn near killed me moving a whole deer over rough terrain.
What state do you live in?
What state do you live in?
Butcher them, I do the same here in the croatan. Go places I really don't want to drag a deer from or inn the kayak and don't want to float the whole carcass.
If state requires proof of sex leave a testicle attached to the hind quarter.
Get some out west game bags, works good just get small ones. Really get all the scrap meat you can, never leave the rib meat! boggles my brain people leave rib meat? add a pound of burger maybe??
If you want to get techy and hang them up to butcher them you can make a 4:1 with micro pulleys, that is cool but the micro pulleys can be expensive? you have to hunt around to find decent cheap ones.
Luck,
Do you have any buddies who would be willing to help you drag? That wouldn't make it to bad. I've never used a deer cart, but they look pretty handy as long as it's relatively easy terrain.
Antlers aren't a must, but they make it a lot easier to get ahold of the deer when dragging :D
Since we have the telecheck now you don't have to take a deer out whole. Bone it out and you can take it out in one trip easy. A 100# doe is usually only about 35 # of meat
How is the terrain and what season will you be hunting? In the flatlands with snow a sled is a great option. If the terrain is rough, packing out is your best bet. A high quality pack, re-useable game bags and hiking sticks will become your best friend. My packout last year was near 3.5 miles and a buddy and I packed out just over 300lb (not including head/cape/antlers) after I butchered it in the field. As mentioned above a set of micro pulleys (you can rig a few carabiners and cord) can really help if you are solo.
What about bale sleds from farm supply? I know some of the guys around here use them .
It's long been established what average deer weights are for our various WMA's but the Dept. still insists hunter record weights prior to leaving with kill.I think packing is a great idea but I'm forced to play the game.As others said check the books and good luck.Any little amount left behind wont go to waste as critters gotta eat too!
It's very easy to 1/4 a deer and pack it out on a quality backpack. We do it with moose every year in AK without an issue.
We also have to leave proof of sex attached. We mark the bag with the proof.
Mike
If you are from missouri, I think the only stipulation is that you have to check it in before you quarter it up. If you get a good pack, I don't think it would be much of an issue to get one out like that.
Medley,
Get you a decent pack and some game bags. I boned out my last deer and took the head back with me all in one trip, no problem. I would also add that if your going to do this get you a small tarp that you pack in, so you can lay the meat on a clean surface as you cut and quarter. Keeps it clean and much easier once your back to home base. Just my two cents.
Medly, I get crap because people think my pack is overkill. But it allows a long day of comfortable tree stand hunting and moving while giving me the option of packing out a deer. Using a good pack has extended my range farther into difficult terrain and helped make tree stand hauling and sits more comfortable. I streamline and perfect it each year. And as I get older, I think it will help me continue to hunt productively for years to come. So invest in a pack that can expand for a big load.
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/EK000006_zpszna2nepi.jpg)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/Mobile%20Uploads/614EFF57-9DE7-48CC-8657-1461A901DADB_zpsdfukdydu.jpg)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/Mobile%20Uploads/B23A956E-160C-4721-81D9-5ADCA53E09D8_zpscw37qkzc.jpg)
I used a $25 military ALICE pack for a few years and really liked it. I now use a Mystery Ranch CrewCab.
http://www.mysteryranch.com/crewcab-pack
I see that that Mystery Ranch now has separated their packs into hunting or military and make a hunters version of the CrewCab that is lighter.
http://www.mysteryranch.com/cabinet-pack
I think the military version are American made.
The CrewCab compresses for smaller loads but can expand for massive loads.
Honestly the ALICE pack w/frame is almost as good and though most people hate them I think the ALICE pack is just as comfortable as anything made to wear. ALICE pack $25 vs CrewCab $500??? Its' pretty hard to spend that much $ on a pack. Try the ALICE pack first.
Western hunters have a lot more experience at this. Most of us don't wear a back pack year round. Make no mistake...carrying a whole deer any distance is not for everyone. Those who say it is simple to walk away with an entire mature whitetail buck on your back is either a massive SOB, an Olympic athlete, didn't take all the meat or is full of crap. It's a pretty heavy load, requiring the roll from back to your knees just to stand up. (assuming most bow hunters didn't spend the year backpacking the rockies). 2-3 miles with a whole deer will make you work. But it is easier than dragging. A person would have to know their level of fitness. I have never taken two trips but it's not out of the question on those days when you have a tree stand and all gear and clothing to haul. Use caution with a heavy load on your back. A twisted ankle could really be a severe injury.
I go to Kodiak deer hunting every year. Dragging deer there you are just trolling for bears so I always pack them out. I remove the 4 quarters and then bone out the rest of the deer. I can always get a deer out in one load. My pack usually will the in the 70# to 80# range. The live weight on these deer would be 150# to 200#. Get a good pack and test it with some loads to see what you are comfortable with before going way back and having to pack a deer out.
It has been over 20 years since I carried any bone out except rack and skull plate. The better your pack the easier it gets. We killed 3 mule deer last year, they all made one load in good packs. average distance to truck or camp 5 miles.
QuoteOriginally posted by Tedd:
Western hunters have a lot more experience at this. Most of us don't wear a back pack year round. Make no mistake...carrying a whole deer any distance is not for everyone. Those who say it is simple to walk away with an entire mature whitetail buck on your back is either a massive SOB, an Olympic athlete, didn't take all the meat or is full of crap. It's a pretty heavy load, requiring the roll from back to your knees just to stand up. (assuming most bow hunters didn't spend the year backpacking the rockies). 2-3 miles with a whole deer will make you work. But it is easier than dragging. A person would have to know their level of fitness. I have never taken two trips but it's not out of the question on those days when you have a tree stand and all gear and clothing to haul. Use caution with a heavy load on your back. A twisted ankle could really be a severe injury.
If boned out your looking at a 60lb pack max, Considerable, but by no means should it require rolling from back to knees. To be honest if that is necessary with a 60lb pack for someone, than this probably isn't the best idea for them in the first place.
Do yourself a favor and watch Chris Spikes' youtube video on packing out deer. It is the method I use for deer and pigs. Ive used it on hunting leases as well as public land.
Ive carried two bears out of the mountains in the last few years that would have taken at least a full day and several buddies to get out.
I use a Jett Sled.... you'd be surprised how easy a flat bottomed sled will drag....
Good luck, shoot straight and God Bless,
Rodd
Youtube is your friend. Tag bomb bags are great for boned out meat. Get a pack that fits you and has a sturdy frame. A meat shelf isn't a bad option to have in a pack because it keeps the inside of your pack clean.
I have a kifaru 22 mag and it's great for packing tree stands in and deer out.
Yeah. Sissy load. I really should get in shape though. Maybe more backpack hikes.
Hopefully someday I'll be qualified to answer a question about backpack hunting public land. I'm only 50 years old and 35 years of public land experience so there is still hope.
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/Mobile%20Uploads/68C8BF1C-E589-485F-8DBE-E02A5838E794_zpsqmr4eevn.jpg)
From another forum...
You may have a good backpack, but if it isn't loaded correctly, the load will wear you down fast; possibly even injure you.
It is also very important that you utilize your compression straps on the outside of your pack. Nothing is more frustrating than hiking out with a heavy load of meat and a big buck rack on the outside of your back and having the rack bounce up and down or the meat falling around in the backpack. It will wear you out in a hurry...trust me on this one. Don't ever try to stand and lift the pack up to your shoulders either. For one...it will hurt and two it has the potential to tear your shoulder straps by forcing all the weight to that one area. Instead, before I load the meat in my pack, I will place my pack near a spot that allows me to sit down on a bench and slip the shoulder straps on and get my waist belt buckled. Then I just need to lean forward and stand up. If that is not an option in the area you shot your animal, then I would suggest sitting down and getting your pack strapped on and do those same steps, but before you try to stand, roll onto your hands and knees facing uphill and then push yourself off the ground. Once standing, you will be able to adjust the shoulder straps, sternum strap, and waist belt.
apparently you took that personally Tedd. I am not trying to be insulting to you but I stand by my original pretense. I guess the internet is full of experts though so what do I know.
QuoteOriginally posted by Tedd:
Yeah. Sissy load. I really should get in shape though. Maybe more backpack hikes.
Hopefully someday I'll be qualified to answer a question about backpack hunting public land. I'm only 50 years old and 35 years of public land experience so there is still hope.
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p714/tas0323/Mobile%20Uploads/68C8BF1C-E589-485F-8DBE-E02A5838E794_zpsqmr4eevn.jpg)
From another forum...
You may have a good backpack, but if it isn't loaded correctly, the load will wear you down fast; possibly even injure you.
It is also very important that you utilize your compression straps on the outside of your pack. Nothing is more frustrating than hiking out with a heavy load of meat and a big buck rack on the outside of your back and having the rack bounce up and down or the meat falling around in the backpack. It will wear you out in a hurry...trust me on this one. Don't ever try to stand and lift the pack up to your shoulders either. For one...it will hurt and two it has the potential to tear your shoulder straps by forcing all the weight to that one area. Instead, before I load the meat in my pack, I will place my pack near a spot that allows me to sit down on a bench and slip the shoulder straps on and get my waist belt buckled. Then I just need to lean forward and stand up. If that is not an option in the area you shot your animal, then I would suggest sitting down and getting your pack strapped on and do those same steps, but before you try to stand, roll onto your hands and knees facing uphill and then push yourself off the ground. Once standing, you will be able to adjust the shoulder straps, sternum strap, and waist belt.
I plan on watching some videos on YouTube, but I wanted to talk to you all first.
In Missouri, we just have telecheck. Please keep the different thoughts/experiences coming
I agree with Ted and no i'm not a seasoned back packer but do understand my physical limitations :readit:
Everyones different, but again years of doing things to prove i'm a man lol has done nothing but injured by back.
So now I have to live with the fact that i'm limited to what I can physically do.
So I believe Ted is reminding us to be smart as there are better ways to do things.
And Ted please eat more and try to work out you look a little weak :goldtooth: :biglaugh:
I can't stress the hiking sticks enough if you have a heavy load on your back. I spend the off season hiking with a weighted pack a couple days a week in the hills. This time of year I compress a 60lb sandbag in a Kifaru pack. Leading up to fall I put a second 60lb sandbag in. When packing out an elk I can put two bags of meat and half my camp in the pack. For deer you should be able to pack a whole boned out buck if you are in reasonable shape. Once again, hiking sticks are your friend and so is a pack designed to carry a load in excess of 60lb.
My bowhunting rig is very portable and stealthy. I use a turkey vest (with all necessary gadget gear, pruners, saw, food, water, etc), My LW treestand with LW sticks, with excellent REAL backpack straps AND a top notch REAL backpack hip belt. I ALWAYS have a trekking pole with me.
When I get a deer down I bone it out. Scraps, back, tenderloin go in game bags in the turkey vest. I then strap the quarters to the stand. I carry the cape and antlers in my hand. Bow over shoulder.
Last fall I carried out a boned-out deer (mature buck) strapped ON the stand. -3/4 mile. Got it home and weighed all meat/gear = 130#. (A doe and gear would be 75-90# max). I am 56. Back surgery past. Bad shoulders. And inner ear disease that affects balance. I hike and work out all year (Nothing even close to Crossfit!)
Its quite doable. Never will drag a deer again!
(See pics following)
Dan in KS
Here is a buck. In this case: Boned out meat in bags in my vest. Rear quarters on the treestand. Cape placed over the top.
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/IMG_1388_zpsyxt7kmiy.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/IMG_1388_zpsyxt7kmiy.jpg.html)
This was a New Year doe I got in 2015. Told the story here on TG. I left my stand/sticks in the car and brought back the pack. That loaded pack weighs maybe 40+#.
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/danrudman/IMG_0823_zpskuiid3vx.jpg) (http://s106.photobucket.com/user/danrudman/media/IMG_0823_zpskuiid3vx.jpg.html)
2x on the sticks. With a heavy load they will keep you from getting hurt on the downhills. Particularly when you have to step over downed timber in steep country.
MAP
Why carry, what you can drag...?? Just sayin
I've taken a whole Moose and Elk out numerous times using a plastic sled. They work better on flat ground but I've taken both Moose and Elk out of mountainous country also, although it's trickier. I have used the gutless method for years, just need a good sharp knife and some game bags.
There have been a few times when a sled full of meat just about kicked our butts in the snow on steep slopes.
MAP
Here in KY I prepared for a deboning job about 15 years ago. I was going to walk in, through the only access I had about 1.5 miles. I took a framed pack and heavy black plastic bag.
I killed a buck that morning, found it in about 60 yards, called in to tele check, and boned it out. Took less than 30 minutes to hiking. Easy.
Haven't had to do it again because I can access these areas much better now. I rarely have to drag a deer (or watch my son dragging it!) more than 100 yards to my UTV these days.
QuoteOriginally posted by woodchucker:
Why carry, what you can drag...?? Just sayin
Hate to argue that. But dragging a 200+# dressed deer 3 miles out of the back country is FAR more difficult than 90# on your back.
Same thing goes for 1/2 mile out of a timbered ravine in KS. At pushing 60 yrs old I will gladly stay in shape and carry 50-100# on my back. FAR easier than dragging.
Besides I don't have to gut the animal and I have little to discard when I butcher it.
Dan in KS
Here in WI we can't bone out the meat, but we can cut the deer down. I hauled a nice mature buck out of a nasty swamp his year using a packframe and hiking sticks. I just turned sixty and dragging him out wasn't even a consideration.After field dressing, I got him out in two trips. I'd much rather carry a deer than drag one.
On morning hunts I've boned them out because i had plenty of day light. Don't know how this would work after dark with gambrels and flash lights. But I'm usually fortunate and can get a Honda atv within 100 yards of every place I hunt.
Well, more power to you fellas!!!!!
I've been dragging deer for over 40 years... Catskills, Adirondacks, Maine... Farthest one, was the 208# 8pt, That I shot 7 miles up the Union River in Maine. It just seems easier to "stop" and sit down & rest, than...
"I pick things up and put them down..."
That's all we can do in the west. I'm not sure what's not ethical to cut it up on site or in the barn?
I'm getting older and been doing this "trad" thing before it was even called that. My state which is usually last in doing things passed a law you can check in without taking a full body! Now you can cell phone check in. I've never drug a deer since then. I'll go back and get a back pack and pack out meat only.
Bone them out and pack them out. I've also quartered with hide on and took rib meat, that was an 87# pack and three mile hike and it was just an average mature doe. It's several trips for an elk
The last deer I shot was about 2-3 miles in. Shot it on the way to where I was going to camp for a few days but never even made it to camp. My pack was basically an oversized daypack -- no internal frame meant for ultralight packing. I took everything out in 2 loads of about 40#. Quarter field dressed (gutless method), kept the bones in the quarters for the sake of time but left the hide and ribcage meat (still regretting that). This was a very active bear area so I wanted to get it out as fast as possible. Oh well. Shot the deer around 5 pm, validated my tag at the nearest fire station around 10:30 pm and was home by midnight. Covered about 8 miles total but never carried more than about 40-50# at any time (counting my heavy rifle and the head).
Mind you, I like to run and backpack a little. I'm no power lifter but by hunting season, I've done a few 20+ milers. I prefer a couple lighter loads to one big load.
Last year, I got a tip from a cowboy that there were some bucks a few miles deeper than where I camped. I went to check it out. But I turned back when I realized what 2 loads at 6 miles in were going to require of me if I actually got one. Hunting solo has some limits.
Quartering out a deer means carrying useless bones out, to be desposed of later. I reccomend boning out the animal, take only whjat you can use, leave the guts, bones for scavengers. Most whitetail can be reduced to 40-70 # of bonede out meat, dont care how big they are, and 70 would be a huge deer. Those bones are heavier than you think. Its a simple process. Splity hide down the belly, the inside of the hide is your clean working surface. cut meat off the bone and place in clean game bags, or cheap pillow cases. Carry what you can, hang the rest in a tree, at most two trips should get it. The tenderloins can be accessed by a slit, and reach in gut cavity to pull out. Hide also can be used to carry meat out and keep clean. Its so simple, cant understand why some complicate it so.
Depends on where you're hunting as to how much a boned out deer will weigh. Canadian deer are on average a bit bigger, I get 70 lbs, of very clean and trimmed deer meat once it's all cut and wrapped. I'd think I start with about 90lbs of meat deboned in the field (I keep every morsel).
A small doe can be packed like this, hard to describe but easy to do. Cut through the Achilles' tendon, push the front foot through the space you've created. Then cut partially through the front ankle and bend it sideways to partially break the joint. It'll stay jammed in the back leg like this and you can put it over your shoulder like a haversack.
Then you are carrying bones, hide, hooves everything. I think the original post was how to easily pack a deer long distances. Less weight is easier, and to get less weight would mean deboning and trimming away all useless matter in the field.
For a whole deer, I have made it easy. I have an aluminum cart. I clip a tree stand safety harness to the pull bar so the cart rides at about butt level. Then it allows one to put his body weight into the load. This rig has hauled out many deer as I let anyone use it. As a result when I get a deer that needs hauling, I call someone in my town. They hook up my trailer that has my cart in it and come out and help me strap on the deer, and then tell me how easy it is to pull out a deer with that rig, while I follow along.
Where I'm at your never too far from a two track. Even one that has some growth in it. I sled or cart. I also drag sometimes though but I connect from my safety vest and keep it short. Dragging is a lot easier with the best.
Randy, yes you're carrying everything except guts and head, but like I said a small doe can be carried like that. For big deer like I shoot :) you'll need a backpack or game cart.
most of the time mine are easy to get out, at home, its a 4 wheeler, and some on public land have beena short drag to the truck, but for those way back in there, I bone out. just cant see carrying something that im going to throw away.