Looking for something to make getting deer out of the woods easier. I have a cart but I leave it in the truck and have to make another trip to get it. So was looking at the Deer Sleigr or the Dead Sled drags. Dead Sled cost more but seems to have better reviews. Anyone have experience using either of these ? I figure if hiking in a ways I could carry it in as I go in. Also, any sponsors sell these ?
I use the poly sled sold by Rural King. It slides over grass, brush and logs just fine.
Yea, I looked at the poly sleds, but I'm thinking of the flexible roll up kind so I could strap it to my stand and carry it in.
With the roll ups, how do you keep the load centered?
I dont drag a deer further than two hundred yards. A knife and a backpack makes it super easy.
I've been using a sled by Cabelas the last few years and yes, have to make a return trip to the vehicle to drop bow,pack extra clothes off but using over grass,leaves,downfall is a snap compared to dragging. Not adverse to boning out where really tough and legal.
I've used the dead sled for years now. It straps right to my tree stand or pack. It has straps that keep the deer in place while dragging. It makes it easier to drag a deer because it just glides over things that normally you would snag on.
I had one, used it to drag out a buck from a mile in. When the buck was in it, and laced up, the dang them spinning around and went "laces down" as I drug it over the numerous blowdowns, each and every time the laces would snag and I would have to stop and untangle them. Very tiring on a long steep drag. I go so disgusted I threw it in the garbage when I got home.
Bringing the sled would make you too prepared. It falls in the same category as remembering to bring a knife and gutting gloves. The more you leave at the truck, or better yet, at the house, the better your odds of success! :biglaugh:
I use one of those blue woven polyethylene tarps, cut 4' X 6'. Once gutted I roll my buck up into the tarp, tie it closed, attaché my pull strap to the head and fore-feet, tie the tarp to the pull strap and off I go. The poly tarp slides over all manner of stuff. It only lasts one trip but they are so cheap & light weight that I have a hard time justifying more.
JMC
I've used a sled before...but only on snow. It worked ok, but now that I'm morphing into an old fart and have a messed up back, I caved in a few years ago and bought a 'deer bicycle' (deer cart) which I've not yet had the good fortune to use.
It folds flat and stays in the truck bed until needed. Where I hunt, my blind is nearly a mile walk in with no shortcuts and it's public land, so no ATVs, etc.
No way I'm dragging a deer out of that stuff on a sled.
I don't use the long strap that comes with the dead sled, I have a shorter strap that allows me to keep the deers head elevated and seems to give me more control so that the deer doesn't roll while you're dragging.
Trenton, I have to agree. Used to be in a club and had a 4 wheeler. I'd haul that thing back and forth untold times and not use it. Leave it at home and I'd shoot one. Heck back then I'd drag one a few hundred yards to keep from unloading and re-loading the atv.
Now hunting public property where motorized vehicles aren't allowed.