Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting What do y'all use and carry for a drag rope?

Yup, way easier than dragging.

Just a 4' length of 3/8" nylon rope. Cut or break an approx. 1.5" diameter stick at the kill site and tie the rope to the middle of it for a handle. If you have two people, cut the stick long enough so you can each grab an end.

There is always 50' of camo nylon quarter inch rope in my pack, but I can't remember the last deer that I pulled out without the use of a cart or a sled. We field dress deer here and pulling them without something under them just fills the cavity with debris. Years ago I bought a very thick, narrow fiberglass sled that was made to retrieve disabled snowmobiles. Deer are narrow and I wanted something thicker and more narrow than the Otter sleds. There are drilled holes along both sides to lash in anything. It doesn't slide as easily as a plastic sled, but tied to the trailer hitch on my Rokon, it slides just fine.

Gutless quarter and pack out. You couldn’t drag a deer out where I hunt. You would die or just be left with the rope.

Usually I use the antlers. On does, I use the tether/safety rope that I use with my tree saddle. I carry it even if I'm not going to be hunting out of a stand.

I can usually just use a walkie talkie.

About 15 minutes later, somebody shows up with my 2012 Silverado. If need be we can run a rope down to the carcass and tie it up to the bumper. One guy backs up slowly while another guy steers the deer with the back legs.

That's for the tough ones that run down into a ravine. I take most of mine out in the middle of the field where you can roll right up with the truck.

Once up on top, we have an L-E-Vator.

More on the L-E-Vator

Currently using 2 looped 10' sections of 1" dia rope.

First section cinches the front legs against the neck. The second section is threaded thru the excess loop. I use the 2 loops in the second section as shoulder harnesses.

Need to look into these roll-up sleds.

I’ll probably get a new one next season. Just patched mine up with some gorilla tape, but it’s kinda beat. Get the big one.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/magnum-deer-sleighr-game-sled?a=1591656

You tie the drag rope to the deer, not the sled.

This is worth it's weight in gold. I keep my old pull rope in the back of the truck, but I'll probably never use it again since I bought one of these. Get the 54"x 25"x 10" or the 66"x 31"x 12".

https://www.amazon.com/Shappell-Jet-Sled-Multi-Purpose/dp/B002RWBPQM

Just watched some deer drag sled videos....
And prior to the drag...


To gut, or not to gut......that is the question....

Two styles. 1) short pulls. 2) harness and rope for long or difficult pulls.

Artic Cat, John Deere, or New Holland. Choice depends on if I'm hunting at home, on my property across the county, or old rodeo bosses farm.....

Front end loader

Both front legs are placed to the top of the neck between the antlers
Paracord tied around neck and legs to secure legs and neck.
Short drag strap allows for the bucks head to be off the ground
4 foot sapling through the strap for 2 man drag.
Hand operated, air cooled , custom made

A mystery ranch pack..........

Step 1: quarter deer.

Step 2: put deer meat in pack

Step 3: walk back to vehicle

Gut first to cool the meat quicker and lighten the load.

Drive jeep or Polaris up to him? Load him in back

+1

I carry a 4 or 5 foot length of nylon rope I carry in my pocket.

I take the easy road. Back the sxs up to the deer and use the winch cable to get it into the bed.