Author Topic: 'Cable-Puller' To Retrieve Deer? (Read 3717 times)

1sourdough · « **on:** October 09, 2011, 12:50:06 AM »

I was on a youth hunt the other day & the deer ran to the bottom of a very steep ravine. There was no way to get an ATV or vehicle close. It took over 2 hours to get the deer up the steep hillside. That got me to researching 'cable-pullers' & 'come-alongs'. This type of recovery happens a time or 2 each fall on this property.

I see good reviews for the "Tuf-Tug" made in USA models with a 20-25 ft cable or strap length. Even to pull a deer 10 ft, then re-hook to the next tree would be a great help. Ropes could be used to fill gaps when trees are not spaced ideally.

I did see some electric ones but most require 110 volt power to the site & of course cost more. I'm just looking for something simple that can help a guy out when solo or understaffed for the job. Maybe one of these $125 higher quality pullers have other uses too. Any ideas? Thanks.

LanceR · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2011, 04:19:33 AM »

Maybe an ATV winch? They can be pretty handy.

Lance

BUGEYE · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2011, 04:27:37 AM »

a come-along would work perfect. you can also pull your truck out of a ditch.
the only thing I would add to the things you mentioned is a piece of 1/4" rope in case you needed to tie your deer to a tree to keep him from sliding back down the hill.

buck460XVR · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2011, 06:12:40 AM »

A simple block and tackle. Easier to use and faster than a come-along. They generally have more length of pull also. They can be used to hang your deer once you get it home also. Even a single pulley used as a moveable pulley would give you a 2x advantage.

1sourdough · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2011, 06:52:10 AM »

So just a simple pulley hooked to a tree with a properly sized rope threaded through would provide the 'lift'? Like the picture? That looks rather simple, enough lift to pull out of a steep gulley? I'd like to get a system where even a lone, average strength guy could get a deer out if need be.

I mentioned to the lease-holder where this deer ended up. He said years back a big one died down there, it was 2 hours with a tractor to get it out.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2011, 07:18:10 AM »

It's time to work on your interpersonal relationships my friend.

You need more and better friends.

You may be walking more distance but hooking up the block and tackle will allow you to pull... get this, down hill. Rope over shoulder and start walking down hill as the deer starts up the hill. May I suggest one of those poly slip sheets as well. Larger diameter pully's will beat those little 1" things you will be tempted to put in your ruck as well.

Ratcheting a come along will get old after about 40'.

Best bet is three 19 year olds full of piss and vinegar, and the promise of a case of beer at the truck.

I'm just sayin'.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2011, 08:59:12 AM »

Have to admit to using my "little old" 1-inch diameter 3-fold purchase block and tackle deer hoist a time or two. When reeved with 200-feet of 700# parachute cord it is easy to backpack anywhere. See 'block and tackle' in Wikipedia. Never really thought about the diameter of the blocks. Good point EQ. I have a 3-inch diameter two-fold purchase in aluminum and 120' of continuous 3/8" climber's rope. It also works VERY well. I have unreeved the blocks, stretched out multiple ropes (for increased distance) and connected directly to antler/back legs and the truck bumper and hauled away. Some days the golf cart clutch is just not sufficient for an uphill drag. An ATV might though.

1sourdough · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2011, 02:35:30 AM »

Well, I ordered a 'Tuf-Tug' with a 25' strap & 2000lbs listed pull. I may not use it much but $48 or so & USA made, I'll give it a try.

Thanks for the link, that would of worked also. I just wanted to get something, even though I've done plenty of dragging in the past. I'm talking some steep gulleys with no easy way out. Now I'll have something to try if the 200+ pounder decides to expire on the bottom.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:24:07 AM »

I think you shoulda heeded EQ's advice.

Quote from: Empty Quiver on October 09, 2011, 07:18:10 AM

Ratcheting a come along will get old after about 40'.

Maybe keep it in your truck though for getting out 0of those sticky situations.

This is what I have. http://compare.ebay.com/like/370544906553 Yes, I know it is a Flea-Bay ad. Just for comparison's sake. I replaced the poly line with 200' of 700# breaking strength parachute cord (~1/8" diameter). Works VERY well. You go downhill, the deer goes up hill. $20.00 plus parachute cord. Saves a few bucks...

LanceR · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:14:00 PM »

Quote from: Empty Quiver on October 09, 2011, 07:18:10 AM

May I suggest one of those poly slip sheets as well.

I carry a really heavy duty space blanket (a military casualty blanket) that has been used to skid a few deer out of the woods but I often carry a 5x7' blue poly tarp for the same purpose.

If you tie the front legs of a buck to the base of the antlers or the front legs of a doe to the upper part of the neck right behind the head it streamlines them a bunch and gets the front legs out of the way so they don't hang up on every tree or root in the woods.

When dragging critters out I usually take my coat off, put on my orange vest and carry my rifle/shotgun, pack and coat ahead leaving the critter behind. After 50 yards or so I put the stuff down and having used the opportunity to scout the path of least resistance I go back for the deer.

This lets me get frequent breaks and follow the least obstructed path out to where I can load the deer up.

Lance

hillbill · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:52:11 PM »

you could carry a small tarp in yur pak and quarter the deer and pack it out 1 quarter at a time after you skin it.the elk boys do it all the time.as ive gotten older i pass up deer wherever i cant get within draggin distance of the truck.

1sourdough · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2011, 01:38:52 AM »

I've done the tarp some, just did a 440 lb bear this fall with a tarp. The ground was level & we had about 5-6 guys. We only had to pull 40 yards or so til the ATV was able.

I do realize unless hunting very remote an ATV or even several guys are usually the way to go. It's just these steep narrow gulleys have left me in a lurch a time or 2.

hillbill · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2011, 03:57:52 PM »

in the old days of logging they would use several pulleys attached to different trees and a long cable that ran to a donkey engine. the donkey engine was remotely located uphill and pulled the cable via winch to the landing site.pull slowly and release each pulley as the load comes close to it. 100 yrds of 1/8 th inch cable and sum pulleys and use your truck or atv as the donkey!jus a thought

Old Lucky 01 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2011, 04:08:34 PM »

I don't know where they sell them, but in Wyoming years ago I saw a guy use a portable winch...it was the grip and engine/motor of an average size chain saw and I don't know how much cable. I watched a guy move a whole elk up a mountainside with the thing; all he needed was someone to help when the carcass got hung up on a fallen timber etc.. It wasn't what you would keep in a back pack, but a great thing to get from your truck when needed.

3006softpoint · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2011, 04:35:59 PM »

Sour I hunt on a spot just like your talking about...Last year I shot a buck at the top of the hill It rolled 100 yard down the hill the guy that owns the property at the bottom of the hill said no 4 wheelers so its a drag of about 3 /40s long....My son calls it dads mountain !usually it takes 2 helpers to get one out of that hole....

Lon371 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2011, 05:27:36 PM »

Quote from: Old Lucky 01 on October 22, 2011, 04:08:34 PM

I don't know where they sell them, but in Wyoming years ago I saw a guy use a portable winch...it was the grip and engine/motor of an average size chain saw and I don't know how much cable. I watched a guy move a whole elk up a mountainside with the thing; all he needed was someone to help when the carcass got hung up on a fallen timber etc.. It wasn't what you would keep in a back pack, but a great thing to get from your truck when needed.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2011, 05:32:52 PM »

Returned from Colorado yesterday, our party dropped five elk.

One word for you... Horses.

Lon371 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2011, 05:37:25 PM »

Quote from: Empty Quiver on October 22, 2011, 05:32:52 PM

Returned from Colorado yesterday, our party dropped five elk.

One word for you... Horses.

Congrats !!!

bilmac · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2011, 05:44:31 PM »

A common local method of moving elk in this part of the world is a looong rope that reaches to where you can get a vehicle. If you can't move the vehicle in the same direction as the rope, then a snatch block is used to change the direction of pull.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2011, 05:25:00 AM »

I read some time back that folks have made one out of an old, 12 volt, starter motor.
Need to add drum for the cable. They bolted/welded it on the back some sort of platform.
They pulled some big stuff out of some tough spots. They said it worked fine. I`m sure
you`d have to experiment some but the end results would be worth the effort.
In fact, I`ve seen that set-up on the back of some old tow trucks.

omegahunter · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2011, 10:19:35 AM »

4 wheeler with winch and more rope if needed.

leadbutt · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2011, 05:47:53 PM »

Best one I ever used was a portable "Cap-Stand" winch

sidewinder319 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 26, 2011, 06:59:54 PM »

In the rough High Country of the west you learn to pack out. It takes very little time to quarter a deer or bone out the meat. A deer can be boned out put on a pack borad. Why do you want to take out the deer whole? It has to be butchered out at some point.

Lon371 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2011, 07:20:03 PM »

Quote from: sidewinder319 on October 26, 2011, 06:59:54 PM

In the rough High Country of the west you learn to pack out. It takes very little time to quarter a deer or bone out the meat. A deer can be boned out put on a pack borad. Why do you want to take out the deer whole? It has to be butchered out at some point.

Some states require the Deer be checked in. Not parts of a deer. We just had this confirmed in Indiana on another forum.

Lonny

sidewinder319 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2011, 02:16:37 PM »

Its a good thing they don't have Moose in Indiana.

Lon371 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2011, 03:59:02 PM »

Quote from: sidewinder319 on October 28, 2011, 02:16:37 PM

Its a good thing they don't have Moose in Indiana.

Yeah, but most (not all) of our lands are accessable by truck tractor or a handful of RedKnecks

Oh and we could always hire an Amish horse team to drag it

Lonny

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 30, 2011, 02:06:38 AM »

just picked up a 4" snatch block for this most the time i hunt alone and i
have yet to shoot a deer that runs to my van at the top of a hill

1sourdough · « **Reply #27 on:** October 30, 2011, 02:28:24 AM »

Well, I got my 25' Tuf-Tug with the strap. It's rated at 2000 pounds. I may not use it all that much but just in case.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #28 on:** October 31, 2011, 08:40:05 AM »

Quote from: luckydawg13 on October 30, 2011, 02:06:38 AM

i have yet to shoot a deer that runs to my van at the top of a hill

I saw a TV Caribou hunt. They boated to a location, scoped caribou on the far side of a long Alaskan lake, waited at a seasonal crossing for the caribou, shot a beauty of a buck that swam the lake, who then proceeded to run toward and die only a few yards from the boat. If that wasn't luck or circumstance then what?