Field Aids for Disabled Hunters - Hauling, Dressing, Skinning, Transport, etc.

[USAF Ret]

I took a good size doe last night. I had my 4-wheeler set up with one of those little SUV hitch carriers to haul the deer out to my truck. For a guy who used to be a weight lifter, it is disheartening to not be able to even pull a 100lb doe 6 inches off the ground onto a platform. The young man that works the property came out and helped me get it to the truck, dress, and quarter it. If it were not for him, I would have not been able to do it.

For our disabled and older hunters. What really good mechanical aids and other techniques do you use for getting a deer out, dressing, breaking the deer down, transporting, and processing?

I am sure I am not the only one with physical limitations. Thanks HT Community.

 

[Straight Arrow]

For this "senior" hunter it's a slow careful process with sharp knives, good little saw, baby steps, small pieces, and gravity consciousness.

 

[USAF Ret]

For this "senior" hunter it's a slow careful process with sharp knives, good little saw, baby steps, small pieces, and gravity consciousness.

All good points, sir. Gravity was not my friend last night. I have the Outdoor Edge kit and I was thoroughly not impressed with the saw.

I was thinking of trying to get a small come along to help get the deer on the rack of the 4-wheeler or in the truck bed. I have seen one of these hoists you hook up to the hitch of your truck as well. That would have been helpful, but don't know if they are garbage.

 

[Straight Arrow]

not impressed with the saw.

I like a small one-piece saw with a comfortable handle to tightly grip and saw with careful but forceful strokes.

 

[mevertsen]

Is there a need to remove the animal whole from the field?

I can't recall all your limitations.

No need for a saw. De-bone the whole thing on the ground, or at least quarter it on the spot. If a deer weighs 100 pounds, that gets the heaviest piece to 15.

For the evidence of sex(if organs are required**), simply skin that part out and leave a little strip attached to the largest piece of meat.

*** we did this years ago for my daughter's deer in SD. Gutless method the deer, left the skin on a lower leg, and I think the tag had to be attached to that leg, and then just skinned the udder, leaving the nipples attached to a strip of skin, which was still naturally attached to the round.

Then placed that part of the skind in a plastic bag and tied it shut.

 

[USAF Ret]

Is there a need to remove the animal whole from the field?

I can't recall all your limitations.

No need for a saw. De-bone the whole thing on the ground, or at least quarter it on the spot. If a deer weighs 100 pounds, that gets the heaviest piece to 15.

For the evidence of sex(if organs are required**), simply skin that part out and leave a little strip attached to the largest piece of meat.

*** we did this years ago for my daughter's deer in SD. Gutless method the deer, left the skin on a lower leg, and I think the tag had to be attached to that leg, and then just skinned the udder, leaving the nipples attached to a strip of skin, which was still naturally attached to the round.

Then placed that part of the skind in a plastic bag and tied it shut.

I saw this method on YouTube. I may have to give it a try. Only issue I saw was it was hard to get to the tenderloin.

 

[mevertsen]

It looked something like this.

And yes, it looks like a 4 year old drew it.

 

[mevertsen]

I saw this method on YouTube. I may have to give it a try. Only issue I saw was it was hard to get to the tenderloin.

Tenderloin is easy. After the back straps are off, then you just open it up a little, use a small knife,(maybe), and pull them out.

Half of them extend past the ribs, so you can see them.

I've gone back and forth over the years. Sometimes it seems easier to do gutless, sometimes easier to gut and then skin and quarter at camp(my deer this year), and sometimes to bring home whole, and hang on my gantry, skin, gut and de-bone (my antelope this year taken 10 minutes from the house).

 

[USAF Ret]

Tenderloin is easy. After the back straps are off, then you just open it up a little, use a small knife,(maybe), and pull them out.

Half of them extend past the ribs, so you can see them.

I've gone back and forth over the years. Sometimes it seems easier to do gutless, sometimes easier to gut and then skin and quarter at camp(my deer this year), and sometimes to bring home whole, and hang on my gantry, skin, gut and de-bone (my antelope this year taken 10 minutes from the house).

I want to find the method and tools with the least physical strain and just get good at doing it that way. I got spoiled the last few years with my late son's best friend on his family farm. They would dress and quarter without me saying a word. I would usually share a backstrap. They have a skinning house.

 

[mevertsen]

All you need is a sharp knife and the ability to kneel down.

And some game bags

 

[Khunter]

As stated, break the deer down where it falls. Smaller/lighter pieces then load on ATV or carry out one at at a time if needed.

Time honored tradition for whitetail hunters to always think they must pull out a deer whole that I have never understood.

 

[USAF Ret]

As stated, break the deer down where it falls. Smaller/lighter pieces then load on ATV or carry out one at at a time if needed.

Time honored tradition for whitetail hunters to always think they must pull out a deer whole that I have never understood.

I wanted to get this one from the field I hunted in. We moved it a good ways off. Did not want to disturb the deer or have coyotes coming into the field, although I would enjoy shooting a few.

 

[mevertsen]

Coyotes are there anyway.

Deer see dead stuff all the time.

Neither will bother them.

The remnants of a dead deer like what has been described will be gone in less than 48 hours.

Drag it with the 4 wheeler close to a field edge or ditch and let the coyotes eat.