Packing out deer?

[Medley]

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.

[JazsDad]

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.

[centaur]

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.

[bgbuck153]

What state do you live in?

[bgbuck153]

What state do you live in?

[J-dog]

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,

[Trenton G.]

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

[dnovo]

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

[-Zor]

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.

[Maxx Black]

What about bale sleds from farm supply? I know some of the guys around here use them .

[Possum Head]

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!

[wingnut]

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

[JakeD]

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.

[RedRidge]

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.

[Tedd]

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.
 
   
 

[Tedd]

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.

[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.

[akdd]

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.

[Michael Pfander]

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.

[fireball31]

Originally 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.