Accessory for hauling Bear down Mountain..anyone use the ATV Backpacker Cart?

[YankeeBill]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for some ideas on ATV accessories to haul a Black Bear out of the woods, particularly, down a rough mountain side.

I'm new to bear hunting, but been around long enough (been chasing whitetails for the past 30+ years) to know that compared to deer, they become a huge "ball of Jello" when trying to get one out of the woods. This fall will be my first at dedicated Black Bear hunting and I want to be prepared to get one out before he hits the ground.

My first problem is I hunt alone most times, but I do have an ATV w/ winch. Second problem is a bad back .

There is an old logging road (pretty rough one) I can use the ATV on that goes up a mountain side to my hunting land.
I need something I can carry in with me to transport the animal out, but a cargo type buggy is not an option as I have no way of transporting it en route to the general hunting area, as my ATV takes up all the space of my ATV hauling trailer, and the hunting terrain is too rough to use the ATV hauling trailer to haul a bear out.

I've looked at Kolpin's Tilt-n-Tote and like it because it can mount on the rear of the ATV which is great because it is ALL downhill off the mountain with a bear. The problem with this is it only has a 250 lb. load capacity which of course won't work for larger bears.

I also thought about Cabalas magnum size deer sleigher, and that would probably work great if my haul out wasn't all downhill. I imagine it would keep sliding up against the rear wheels of the ATV.

The option I'm giving the most thought is the ATV Backpacker Cart (www.atvbackpackercart.com). It seems like it would fit my needs perfectly. It is a aluminum folding cart/ trailer that attaches to and is towed by the ATV. It only weighs 80 lbs. and folds up and stores behind the rear rack of the ATV when not in use, and simply unfolds to deploy when needed. Another feature I like is it lowers to ground level so I could probably just roll or slide a larger bear onto it w/ the ATV winch when hunting alone. It also has a 800 lb. load rating.

It is a little costly at around $600.00, but after having had a prior back surgery (and the bills that come along with it) I'd consider it a good investment and money well spent if it performs as advertised. However, I haven't been able to find any "real world" reviews of the product, only those associated with its advertising.

Have any of you guys ever used one of these? How do they perform in the field?

Appreciate any info or other ideas you may have.

Thanks,

YB

[Lloyd Smale]

i usually just carry a block and a sling and sling the block over a heavy branch and use my winch to load the animal on to the back or front rack and use a couple ratchet straps to keep it in place.

[markc]

I might have a better picture someplace.  I bought this at Sportsmans Depot.  It goes in the receiver hitch, and swivels so once you lift the critter with the boat crank type winch, you swing him around over the rack, or in this case bed, and then lower him down.  I love this thing, should have bought one years ago.

[YankeeBill]

Thanks for the info guys, both are good options to consider.

I'm kind of thinking that cart I mentioned above will have some manuverability issues in the thick places when it is deployed.

I think I'm now leaning more toward Kolpin's Tilt-n-Tote game loader/hauler which is very similar to what you use markc. It attaches to the back (or front) of the ATV and is collapsable. They are pretty neat but do have a load capacity of 250 lbs., so I'd be limited on the size bear I could shoot. I do plan to carry a block along with me also Lloyd, that will be handy too.

Thanks again fella's,

YB