Author Topic: I was just wondering - if you hunt deer and how you get them out of the woods? (Read 6395 times)

The Gamemaster · « **on:** January 12, 2008, 03:38:31 AM »

I was just wondering how many disabled hunters we have here that hunts deer and how do you get your game out of the woods?

The first year after my last auto accident, I went hunting in my regular old spot, a couple of miles back into the woods.
About 9 am I realized - even if I do get a deer, how am I going to get it out of the woods?

I have 4 ruptured discs in my back and I can't carry anything heavy. I cannot drag anything for any distance. I cannot drive back in here with the truck , due to the fact that it is the State Game Lands and at that time, vehicles were not allowed anywhere on State Game Lands.

I actually laid down in the middle of the woods right there, I could have died I felt so bad.

I ended up walking back to the truck and I drove back to our camp and I had a place that I had found that had a nice buck but when I got there, one of my dad's brothers was already there with his boy.

I ended up going to the next hill and parked the truck at the top of a natural gas pipeline and sat in the bed on my tool box and listened to the radio the rest of the day.

My cousin shot the big buck and had it mounted.

So chances are, if i would have went there first and not gone into the Game Lands like a fool, I would have shot that buck. But even then, I wouldn't have had any way of loading it and the only thing I could have done was go to the camp and beg for help or stand along the road until some kind hearted hunter came along and helped me out.

crow_feather · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2008, 03:55:07 AM »

Have you lost faith in your hunting friends. If you were a fine fit of a man with no problems, how would you drag an elk or 500 lb bear out of the same spot. YOU WOULDN'T. You would rely on your friends for help. You might give them some steaks for the help, but if they are like my friends, they would just be happy to help a hunting friend.

If you have no friends, do what others do with their elk. Take it out a piece at a time, bone it there and just take out the meat, or call all your friends and tell them your having a deer barbecue in the woods and bring salt and a fork.

Don't give up on hunting, don't be limited when I'm sure you have friends just waiting to help. I believe God will reward me for helping others when my time comes. Don't deny that to your friends.

C F

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2008, 06:04:21 AM »

For me this has for the most part been resolved by the fact I seldom hunt anymore. My shortness of breath issues prevent me from getting very far from my truck anyway so should I shoot one it would be a short drag at most. I'm reasonably sure I'd be able to drag one with a great many rest stops to huff and puff about as far as I'm likely to walk should I shoot one. Now loading it up would depend on the size of it.

I once long ago when I was still fit faced that challenge as I shot one too heavy to lift up onto the tailgate of my Bronco and was hunting alone so had no help. I ended up solving that problem by tying a rope to the antlers and climbing up on the tailgate and pulling the head as far up as I could and then tied the road to the steering wheel. With the head thus up mostly on the tailgate I struggled with the rear to get it up and the deer loaded. At the check station when I had to weight it in I had to get help from the guys standing around to unload and reload it.

The last deer I killed back in December of 2006 I was on a hunt at White Oak Lodge and they took care of it for me. They drove me to the stand where I walked up a short set of stairs to climb into the box blind and then just waited for them to return to get me and process the deer. I could get to liking that if I had the money to do it regularly but really don't.

I went out a couple days this season and took a short walk into the woods both mornings. I think I'd have been able to have gotten a deer from the spots I went to had I seen any or had a shot but then I didn't. I spent the first afternoon sitting in my truck watching a flat along a stream but again saw no deer. The second afternoon I just came home.

I have no hunting partners any more. We've all parted ways for one reason or another or they died on me. I've not developed any new ones and thus have mostly stopped hunting. Until a few years back I had been hunting on a piece of private land that for the most part allowed me to drive within a few feet of most any place a deer might fall when shot. I think the longest drag I have had to make on that 40 acres was about 100 yards once and that was a bow killed buck that was hit in only one lung and he managed to get down into a hollow that I almost didn't get him out of and I was in much better shape then than now. Now I'd never get one from that spot. But that place is now a horse pasture and so I don't hunt there anymore.

Dino · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2008, 06:39:03 AM »

That's really sad that there is no one to help.
But in all I haven't heard a word about any young hunters out in the Field.
I'm 41 and I'm seeing this in our hunting party as well, I'm the youngest in our group and I try to keep up with the others helping with gutting and dragging but the funny thing is that I'm the one with a fake knee and 8 ruptured discs in my back but I'm blessed that none of gives my trouble if I don't go over board.

Don't give up and ask if some one will help You, you might be surprised!
I've help people gut and drag in the state woods and I didn't even get there name but to me that's hunting.

Gray Beard, thanks for the info on the S & W 60.

crow_feather · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2008, 06:47:56 AM »

GB,
Worked for me.

If there is a good size tree in the area, with truck - pull deer to tree - throw rope over branch - tie to deer and bumper - drive forward pulling deer in air and then tie off rope - back up truck under deer - cut rope.

C F

The Gamemaster · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:02:13 AM »

Quote from: crow_feather on January 12, 2008, 03:55:07 AM

Have you lost faith in your hunting friends. If you were a fine fit of a man with no problems, how would you drag an elk or 500 lb bear out of the same spot. YOU WOULDN'T. You would rely on your friends for help. You might give them some steaks for the help, but if they are like my friends, they would just be happy to help a hunting friend.

If you have no friends, do what others do with their elk. Take it out a piece at a time, bone it there and just take out the meat, or call all your friends and tell them your having a deer barbecue in the woods and bring salt and a fork.

Don't give up on hunting, don't be limited when I'm sure you have friends just waiting to help. I believe God will reward me for helping others when my time comes. Don't deny that to your friends.

C F

Where I hunt at - you just can't leave a deer.

But I didn't mean this topic to mean me.

I asked HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:23:02 AM »

Quote from: crow_feather on January 13, 2008, 06:47:56 AM

GB,
Worked for me.

If there is a good size tree in the area, with truck - pull deer to tree - throw rope over branch - tie to deer and bumper - drive forward pulling deer in air and then tie off rope - back up truck under deer - cut rope.

C F

I have often toyed with that idea but can't say as how I've ever been in a situation yet where I could make it work. Most trees that are big enough have limbs way to high up to toss a rope over and for the most part on the public land I have to hunt on driving off road to a tree is a serious NO-NO. The idea sounds good or practical on the surface but in reality at least where I hunt has never yet proven feasible.

Kurt L · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:39:44 AM »

After I read your last post I thought this sounds familiar are you from Michigan if so what part if you don't mind
me asking.

sdb777 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:53:12 AM »

After hearing all the "Woe-is-me....." I must admit....I think you should just give up.

My Uncle Skip was confined to a wheelchair, had practically no use of his hands and legs, had to have a nurse bathe him and to wipe his backside! He went hunting!! He drug his kills to the camp(well his wheelchair did) by putting a pull rope around its neck using his mouth! We would help him cut it up, but he did the hard part-he got it there!!

If your a smart person and have the 'drive' to do it, you'll figure out a way to do it!! If you want to give up, well perhaps you already have by posting.....and I feel bad for you.

Scott (never give up, Skip didn't) B

Norm1057 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2008, 08:12:57 AM »

I know that game laws are different all over the country and some folks are not allowed to pack out they're meat. However, every animal I have shot is always quite aways from any road. What has worked for me is to do as much of the butcher work in the woods as possible. I'm planning that when I can't get around as well that the loads will just get smaller with more trips to the truck. My last one was an Oryx that took four trips at 100 pounds each. I will always find away to make it work even if it means 20 pound packs. Good luck to you and hang in there. There is always a way to get the job done.

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2008, 08:32:26 AM »

Quote from: sdb777 on January 13, 2008, 07:53:12 AM

After hearing all the "Woe-is-me....." I must admit....I think you should just give up.

My Uncle Skip was confined to a wheelchair, had practically no use of his hands and legs, had to have a nurse bathe him and to wipe his backside! He went hunting!! He drug his kills to the camp(well his wheelchair did) by putting a pull rope around its neck using his mouth! We would help him cut it up, but he did the hard part-he got it there!!

If your a smart person and have the 'drive' to do it, you'll figure out a way to do it!! If you want to give up, well perhaps you already have by posting.....and I feel bad for you.

Scott (never give up, Skip didn't) B

I actually have pretty much stopped because it's just not fun to me anymore. I can assure you that he would not be taking that wheel chair to the places I have to hunt unless he had someone to carry him across the logs and creeks and thru the narrow border strewn paths. Then too the deer population there is not that high anyway so once you get there the liklihood of actually seeing a deer legal to shoot is not that great. For me the enjoyment is for the most part gone so I have done exactly as you suggest I've pretty much just given up hunting and found other things to enjoy.

Quote

After I read your last post I thought this sounds familiar are you from Michigan if so what part if you don't mind
me asking.

If that was aimed at me Kurt I thought all here knew I'm in Bama.

jjamna · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2008, 07:48:53 PM »

What ever you do , don't quit unless you just want to. I to am on disability 4 disc gone but I still go. Like everyone say's thats what friends are for. I will say this. I am about 30 miles from Evansville Indiana in west Ky and if you are truly disabled and need help getting a deer out and are within 150 miles of me. Call me I will get help and come get it out for you. This is one thing I am working on. I am trying to get some land owners to let me take Disabled Veterans hunting on. If all goes well I will take non vets if there are no vets wanting to go that day. And it will be free of charge. Now don't everyone go PM me because I am still working on it. If anyone is doing something like this and have some pointers let me know please. Also is there an interest in something like this. Another words " If I build it will you come?

coyote trapper1928 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2008, 12:25:33 PM »

I just drag anything out on a toboggan. It's slow, but gets the job done.

ken2222 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2008, 05:17:08 AM »

For me it's a 4x4 S 10 pick-up...took the bed off a few years ago( it was rusted out)...built a boom with a boat type hand winch...we just crank 'em up and swing 'em in....BUT I can get reasonably close in most cases other than the creekbed/lower areas so I don't hunt in that area alone. My first buck of this year got drug back behind the S 10 on a tarp because the cable didn't get its maintenance so we had to replace the cable before the season ended but it works!

Just my $0.02

Ken

Hunter_Smurf · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2008, 06:24:28 PM »

I WAS INJURED IN 2002 AND MISSED 4 YEARS OF HUNTING BECAUSE OF A NECK SURGERY AND CHRONIC PAIN..

I AM NOW MORE DETERMINED THAN EVER TO HUNT.. I WAS UNABLE TO FOR 4 YEARS AND MY ATTITUDE WAS HORRIBLE..
FRUSTRATED AND NOTHING WAS THE WAY IT USE TO BE..I DIDNT HUNT OR FISH OR WORK OR ANYTHING I ENJOYED.. MY LIFE WAS TAKEN OVER WITH DR. APPOINTMENTS AND TREATMENTS AND SURGERY ..

IN THEM 4 YEARS I LOST MY DAD TO CANCER , LOOSING MY BEST FRIEND AND MY MAIN HUNTING PARTNER..

I NOW HUNT FROM A FOLDING CHAIR OR FROM A TREE STAND SET UP BY ME AND MY BROTHERS TO ACCOMMODATE ME.

IT ISN'T THE SAME HUNTING I USE TO DO. BUT IT'S HUNTING. I NOW REFUSE TO BE HELD BACK FROM THINGS I LOVE..I LOST TO MUCH ALREADY...

I HARVESTED A DOE THIS PAST SEASON AND A FRIEND TOOK OVER . HE WASN'T A CLOSE FRIEND, MORE OF MY SISTERS FRIEND. BUT WHEN I DROPPED THE DOE , HE WAS BACK TO MY STAND WITHIN MINUTES AFTER I SHOT AND HE WAS GUTTING HER BY THE TIME I GOT OUT OF THE STAND. HE HAD HER ROPED AND WAS DRAGGING HER AS I FILLED OUT THE TAG.

I GUESS WHAT I AM SAYING IS .. EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T ASK FOR IT SOMEWAY, SOMEHOW HE KNEW I NEEDED THE HELP AND HE STEPPED UP. THANKS TO HIM I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT GETTING OUT AND HUNTING.

SOME HOW IF IT IS SOMETHING WE REALLY WANT, WE WILL GET IT. GOD WILLING SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO ANSWER OUR UNASKED REQUEST FOR HELP..

Freezer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2008, 05:39:19 AM »

I've had 3 shoulder surgeries and I'm heading for the fourth. My hunting partner died a few years ago so now I'm a lone wolf. Where I hunt the hills are extremely steep and the brush is heavy. I found a way to handle the deer I shoot. I carry a small block and tackle and a large carabiner with rubber grips. There wasn't much cord on the B&T so I bought parashoot cord from the surplus store. You won't get out fast but it sure is better than a long up hill drag. I also find it easier to quarter an animal in the air.
Don't give up. We are limited only by ingenuity. Heck, I know there's someone out there on the net somewhere that has put tracks on a wheel chair and if ever I need one I'll build it!

Spirithawk · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2010, 09:04:27 AM »

That's what son's and grandson's are for.

But I often hunt alone and have severe heart, lung and back problems. I simply put a rope around the deer to the atv, drag it to a hump fairly even with the back rack of the atv, roll the deer onto the rack, secure it and off I go. My body may be disabled but my brain aint!

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2010, 09:11:56 AM »

I would say good friends

qajaq59 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:26:44 AM »

I've been unable to hunt alone for a lot of years. And I do is what lot of others do. I depend on friends to take me out and bring in whatever I'm lucky enough to shoot. However since we have moved around a lot I often will pay someone to help me. It's not the best way to hunt. But it beats sitting home by a long shot. And just getting out there is enough for me, so if I do get something, it is just icing on the cake.

And don't get discouraged. Ask for help at your shooting club or wherever you meet people. There really is a lot of good people in the world that will help you if they know your situation.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #19 on:** June 24, 2010, 11:47:03 AM »

One of my brothers is pretty screwed up, he got a permit from the state so he can shoot right out of his car. (with limitations) He carries his cell phone, and if he gets a deer, he calls his son to come take care of it... lol

DM

TribReady · « **Reply #20 on:** June 24, 2010, 11:58:53 AM »

I don't worry about getting them out of the woods......they seem to run out of there just fine

...sorry, couldn't resist

qajaq59 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 24, 2010, 12:06:11 PM »

Quote

I don't worry about getting them out of the woods......they seem to run out of there just fine

Thanks TripReady. You just made my day. LOL

schoolmaster · « **Reply #22 on:** June 24, 2010, 03:50:03 PM »

Up until this year I made it a point to hunt where I could get help or was with someone who could drag. Some places I hunt I can drive close to where it lays. This year I am retired and will hunt some mornings by my self. I have a heart condition, two new knees, both shoulders been operated on and take a handful of maintenance drugs (you guys know, better living through chemistry) lets see arthrytis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I have a deer cart and a plastic deer sled. Now if I shoot a deer that is too much to get to the truck, I will cut the sucker in two and drag out the halves. If I shoot one in the morning I will have all day to get it out. I intend to hunt as long as I can toddle out there. That being said I find I hunt closer to the truck than I used to and I don't use climbers or ladder stands any more. I hunt off a folding chair or in a ground blind. One of my annual hunting trips is in southern Indiana and the terrain is pretty rugged. I used to see an old hunter who parked on one side of the road and stood on the other side, along the edge of a holler dressed in orange from head to toe. He carried a TC Hawken muzzleloader. His wife sat in the truck and read or knitted. He stood and leaned against a tree. Did not sit down. When he took a break he walked across the road and sat on the tailgate of the truck. His son was with him but hunted in another area and dragged any deer out he shot. His wife watched him hunt by looking in the truck mirrors. This was the only way he could deer hunt. He was there about five or six seasons and then he wasn't there any more. When its my turn, they can scatter my ashes on one of those hillsides, about 50 yards from the deer trail.

dinky2 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 02, 2011, 03:45:40 AM »

GOD BLESS ALL YOU HANDICAPPED PEOPLE. I AM IMPRESSED AND ENCOURAGED WITH YOUR STORIES ABOUT HOW YOU GET THINGS DONE. I'M 78 NOW AND HAVE A FEW DISABELING HEALTH FACTORS AND TWO KNEE PROSTHESIS. THE KEY THING IS TO KEEP DOIN IT AND USE WHAT GOD SET ON YOUR SHOULDERS TO RIG A WAY TO DO WHAT YOU LIKE. ALL THE STATES SHOULD HAVE LAWS AND ALLOWANCES TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE LOST SOME OF THERE ABILITIES TO FUNCTION. HERE IN OHIO IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP OUR ANTIQUE ALLOWABLE GUN LAWS FOR DEER HUNTING WOULD WAKE UP. MORE LIKE INDIANA. WHAT'S HAPPENING AMERICA ? 2013---THE END OF AN ERROR...........................................

Lon371 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2011, 01:43:10 AM »

I agree with Dinky2.

I know this is an older post. But if any of you need help in Southern Indiana, I can help or get you help to drag em out or help you get in or out. I know several fellas that would be more than happy to help.

Lonny

Sourdough · « **Reply #25 on:** January 17, 2011, 08:57:06 PM »

A few years ago my partner and I went out and shot two Caribou. We gutted, and skinned them, but we realized we could not lift them into the meat trailers we tow behind our 4-wheelers. I moved my trailer up beside one of the animals and tipped it over on it's side. We were then able to slide both carcuss into the trailer. Now there was no way we could lift it back onto it's wheels. Not a problem. I took my tow rope and hooked it to the top edge of the meat trailer, and using my 4-wheeler I pulled it back onto it's wheels. I leaned on the back of the trailer to lift the tounge while my partner hooked the hitch. Just think about what you have to do, then do it.

Last october we shot a Moose. Neither one of us can lift any substancial weight, due to herniated disk. We cut the Moose up into small sizes, and slipped a pack frame under the pieces. Norm lifted one side, I lifted the other. We were able to get the Moose the 30 yards to the boat without hurting either one of us. But at the time we were both cussing and saying we are too old for this stuff. Next morning Norm called a couple of young fellows to help unload the meat from the boat.

The last two years we cheat. We take a couple of young GIs (Army or Air Force Troops) with us. We hold no punches, we tell them up front we can not lift anything over 40 lbs. They have to do all the heavy lifting. Norm and I find the Caribou or Moose. We teach them the easy ways to dress out an animal, and we usually do most of the skinning. The young men do the lifting. We usually have to slow them down, before they hurt themselves.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #26 on:** January 27, 2011, 02:46:34 AM »

10-4 on the younger recruits to help with your deer. I am on oxygen 24/7 and take a bottle on my back when I deer hunt. My hunter partner is a firefighter who runs about 70 miles a week. He is my designated dragger, but at the cabin I cook and do the dishes & I reload for his rifles so some tradin' going on.

Lon,

I will be deer huntin' this fall near Elizabeth, IN (west of N. Albany about 20 miles or so) on a good friend's land. He has a tractor so I will not need any help if I get one but if you are near by and want to hookup that would be nice.

BB

Lon371 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 29, 2011, 03:00:15 AM »

BB
Elizabeth is some good deer country. Lots of woods and fields and some rough back country. There is also lots of hills and hollars, glad you have access to a tractor

Lonny

GWC · « **Reply #28 on:** March 10, 2011, 11:54:23 AM »

+1 on the sons and a cell phone. Nephews are handy too. Glad I took the time in years past to take some snotty nosed young uns hunting and fishing.

BBF · « **Reply #29 on:** March 11, 2011, 05:11:55 PM »

I'm fortunate to have a neighbor that lets me hunt and use his blind( he's got more then one) if I get a deer, he has an ATV. Between the two of us we get it done.