Anyone ever use or own one of those plastic sleds for dragging deer? If so what's your opinion on them?
Sled drag
- Thread starter Wiley E Coyote
- Start date
They work great when the ground is icy/frosty or snow-covered… or, when you only need to go downhill. Any other conditions, though, a sled can be more work than simply dragging the deer by itself.
Thanks! That's what I was thinking but wanted to here from some people with experience with them
They certainly have their place, under the right circumstances. There really is no silver bullet solution to getting a deer back to camp, unfortunately… except a quad or UTV lol.
I have one a use it all the time. It makes it easier to drag deer over dead fall. On my metro park hunt last season it was essential. It also keeps everything clean.
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
I use one…it makes it easier to drag a deer through brush as it distributes the weight and the legs/antlers won’t hang up as easily. You can also put your gear in it as you drag so you have less to carry.
Been using one for about 3 or 4 years. I use it for more than just deer too. Just makes it easier when having to haul a bunch of shit in and out the woods. I have an example below showing when I completed the 2020 season with a large antlerless deer. I agree with @Mike , sleds helps keep the game clean when hauling out and helps to be able haul more than what I can actually carry. The sled has become a major tool/item that gets loaded up inside the pickup truck every time I hunt any place other than home.
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Video description:
The video starts off with me returning home from my ground blind hunt on 12/4, right after I shot a big doe. I walked through the bait station area headed to my workshop. Right after I dropped off my ground blind chair, shooting stick, backpack, rifle and changed into some different clothes, I then immediately headed back out to go collect the doe, which was a 450 yard drag with the sled/toboggan approximately. You'll get to see me drag the harvested doe through the bait station area, headed to my workshop once again. The following morning, I went back out to collect my 'Lone Wolf Alpha II Stand' with 5 LW long sticks, my old API climber, my 'Big Mike' pop-up ground blind and two field Simmons trail cameras, which concludes my 2020/21 deer hunting within my county because I reached the deer bag limit, a total of three. For the following season, I will be hunting a different Ohio county to hopefully harvest a good buck before February 7, 2021.
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Big_Holla
Senior Member
We have one that is similar to a jet sled. Like Mike said, going over limbs and deadfalls makes it much easier even for one person pulling. Biggest thing I like about it is keeping the deer contained and clean. Makes it easy for 2 people to load in the back of the truck and when hanging in the garage it acts as a blood catcher as well as fat and hide catcher when butchering.
Yeah, a sled with a dead deer in it will keep the bed of your pickup truck free from blood, and I usually start off the butchering with the sled underneath the deer often.
I have a deer cart that Rick & I held on to for dear life when going downhill with my buck & used a sled for my doe on same hill. Sled was much easier. Dips & ruts in ground didn't pose a issue with the sled.
Bluefinn
Member
I've used one of my kids rectangular sled riding sleds for over 10 years. I don't leave home without it & the last couple years I leave it in my blind. It weighs nothing. Load my field dressed deer on it & a couple bungee cords over it. Have a heavy rope with a piece of radiator hose for a handle tied to it & it's way easier than dragging one without it. Slides right into the back of my truck & into the garage & catches all the blood & junk when butchering. Hose it out & ready for another one.
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
I have not done that with a sled but I have done that dragging a deer. Made a hasty harness with one of my pull ropes. Basically was back pack straps with a tail. It made things much nicer. There was snow on the ground which helped out but I think it would help same with a sled. I would figure a Tree stand harness would be same.
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
Have one of those 6' old orange kids sled/toboggan things. Works great. Always wipe it down with silicone spray first...unless you got a steep downhill drag. Tree stand safety vest makes for a hands free drag, but mostly I just use a foot of plastic pipe over a longer thicker pull rope.
I drag it right up to my hitch hauler and slide the whole thing up on and strap it all down. I also have a game cart I have modified so the axles sit on the sides of the hitch hauler and the wheels stay outside of it. I roll right up pull everything on and strap it all down. Easy peasey!
Which do I use and when? Depends on the snow/mud situation. All 3 slide inside my SUV along the right side of the cargo area with the back seats folded up and my clothes totes and weapon slide in on the left side. Nothing is outside the SUV advertising my intentions nor exposed to theft/vandalism, till I harvest then it only is there from the point of harvest to home. Keeps the ticks outside of my rig also. Everything is easy to wash off and unload also.
To aid in loading, I can lower my air ride with a switch, or back down in a ditch or park next to a slight hill. Very little lifting involved.
I drag it right up to my hitch hauler and slide the whole thing up on and strap it all down. I also have a game cart I have modified so the axles sit on the sides of the hitch hauler and the wheels stay outside of it. I roll right up pull everything on and strap it all down. Easy peasey!
Which do I use and when? Depends on the snow/mud situation. All 3 slide inside my SUV along the right side of the cargo area with the back seats folded up and my clothes totes and weapon slide in on the left side. Nothing is outside the SUV advertising my intentions nor exposed to theft/vandalism, till I harvest then it only is there from the point of harvest to home. Keeps the ticks outside of my rig also. Everything is easy to wash off and unload also.
To aid in loading, I can lower my air ride with a switch, or back down in a ditch or park next to a slight hill. Very little lifting involved.
Bluefinn
Member
I hunted with a guy a 15 years ago & we were back a couple miles. We both shot a doe about the same time. I had to be at work that day at noon. He had a game cart & I had my sled. We took off hauling at the same time. I was at Gander Mtn checking mine in when he had just made it to his truck. He sold the cart & bought a sled.
They both have their place, but overall when it comes too landscape that’s got a little bit of everything as far as obstacles? Sled is the winner.
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
Emsco ESP Series 66 in. Family Fun Four-Rider Toboggan Sled 2916 - The Home Depot
Bigfoot - 66 in. Toboggan - The ideal snow sled for family fun. It features extra heavy duty poly construction, molded in center hull, diamond polished bottom for a speedy ride and the bright colors make
www.homedepot.com
This is the one i have had for 20+ years. I'm sure you can find it for less. First thing you do is get rid of that hand cutter and put a longer thicker rope on it. I use it ice fishing on nice days also.
Otter make nice ones but they are heavier.
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
Emsco ESP Series 66 in. Family Fun Four-Rider Toboggan Sled 2916 - The Home Depot
Bigfoot - 66 in. Toboggan - The ideal snow sled for family fun. It features extra heavy duty poly construction, molded in center hull, diamond polished bottom for a speedy ride and the bright colors makewww.homedepot.com
This is the one i have had for 20+ years. I'm sure you can find it for less. First thing you do is get rid of that hand cutter and put a longer thicker rope on it. I use it ice fishing on nice days also.
Otter make nice ones but they are heavier.
Emsco ESP Family-Size Plastic Toboggan 66 in. L Mfr# 1138 - Ace Hardware
Molded in tracking rails create perfectly straight tracks on snow. This multipurpose sled can also fit up to 4 children or 2 adults for a fun sledding experience! The deceptively simple design is great at deflecting snow. The edges are rolled over so as snow tries to ride up , it's channeled...