game sled, roll-up/packable type any good?

With no snow ill put meat on my back 10/10 times. Lighter loads id maybe makes the case for the sled. I took 60% of a cow elk this year plus gear "only day trip gear" in one trip with my stone glacier in the badlands and id do it every time in that situation over a sled. Thats just me though
 
With no snow ill put meat on my back 10/10 times. Lighter loads id maybe makes the case for the sled. I took 60% of a cow elk this year plus gear "only day trip gear" in one trip with my stone glacier in the badlands and id do it every time in that situation over a sled. Thats just me though
But sleds make you earn each step in front of the other. :ROFLMAO: I'll take a game sled single trek over multi treks to the 2000' camp... Key is hunt higher than the vehicle. Been there, done that multiple occasions in wilderness. Everyone pays in pain hiking solo I simply rather get the pain over in one go. To each their own though.

@Khunter , Did you run rope pully sets off trees down some of those steep contours along approx 2/5th's of that trek or? Looks as you mentioned, steep for a sled full of moose meat! :)
 
But sleds make you earn each step in front of the other. :ROFLMAO: I'll take a game sled single trek over multi treks to the 2000' camp... Key is hunt higher than the vehicle. Been there, done that multiple occasions in wilderness. Everyone pays in pain hiking solo I simply rather get the pain over in one go. To each their own though.

@Khunter , Did you run rope pully sets off trees down some of those steep contours along approx 2/5th's of that trek or? Looks as you mentioned, steep for a sled full of moose meat! :)
for that steep open slope off the top, with rock hard frozen quarters, no sled down used bc would have been a rocket down mountain. turned out a daisy chain of quarters being pulled down the slope was controllable versus a rocket ship of a sled.Was not easy as quarters would hang on sage etc at times but beats holding back a freight train from behind

then sled was awesome going out gentle downhill grade out creek bottom

actually paired the j5 (held one quarter) with a jet sled (held two quarters) to maximize each trip with two guys.

I had left for home by time the “easy” sledding started.

IMG_2307.jpegIMG_2308.jpeg
 
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The deer sleigh-rs and similar I have lots of experience with. Going back to the 70's--a hunting partner who worked at Honeywell got some slick plastic and made one initially. Black bear and deer, not elk though. And mostly flat ground. If they pull hard you are doing it wrong--flip it over, the rough side is up! Problem is they often come curled up the other way. You want to have rope that slides through grommet holes easily and cinch the critter up well. Not good for rock/dirt/gravel trails, but works well even without snow vegetation that isn't too thick, you can drag up and over down logs if not too many of them. I would now want to try one going down a steep hill though. Although hopping on and riding down with your critter might be exciting!
 
I tried using the roll up type sled a few times a long time ago, didn't really go well. Front kept digging in the dirt and it kept rolling over. Maybe theres a way to solve those issues. I have used the plastic ice-fishing or duck hunting type sled on a few occasions when there was snow or grass, either flat or downhill. I still wouldn't do this over dry ground, or uphill.
Have to cinch them up and then have a drag tie in front that lifts the front off the ground a bit while pulling. They will roll over and you will be getting dirt and debris in the sled if they aren't cinched up well before starting. The one I have is a pain as the slick side comes curled up and you want that down--takes a bit of doing to reverse it and cinch things up but worth it makes dragging a lot easier! No major hills for me though.
 
I run the tow rope through the appropriate grommet holes, then secure around the deer’s head and snout like a horse halter as tightly as you can. Then you are pulling straight on the deer/load. If you take a little time, it’s possible to cinch the front of the roll up sled to make it like a torpedo.
 
I have never used the roll up sleds, but have seen guys used them and swear by them when you talk with them. I have used a jet sled to haul firewood out of the woods on snow and on dry leaves. It works very well and I wouldn't hesitate to dry using the jet sled with a deer.
 
I’ve been back into hunting for about 7 years now, I did it when I was a kid living in Australia, then got busy with career and all that, moved to the US, been here for 10 years now with a young family, small biz and I digress... while I love days in the woods and feeding my family, I ran into a major wall: a physical condition that makes it difficult for me to build muscle. Days out got harder, and ones where I was successful were a killer on my back, shoulders, knees...

I ended up trying one of the roll up sleds, it cracked and split when it got cold. Another one was almost textured, but it felt like it was harder to pull than the deer, then the grommets tore out.

The jet sleds are too bulky and noisy to drag around. I tried the rope/strap style and they were hard on my joints and the day after, I always felt like i'd been tossed in a tumble drier.

My old man taught me that the best way to complain is to make things.

I made a packable one that slots together. I wanted something lightweight enough to carry in, but tough enough to actually get the job done solo, and only ever have to buy one cause it should last forever like all good hunting gear (buy once, cry once, right?). After a bit of messing around, some folks told me i should get it patented and sell it.
A couple of years of spare time that I think I woulda rather been in the woods, and its up and live. I ran through some different prototypes and got something that is hardy AF. Got it made in a local plastics manufacturer and have first run sitting at home in Florida ready to sell.

I'm a lightweight, like 5'10", 155 pounds wringing wet. I pulled a 120 pound hog around with no problems at all. Hands free. Well, I had my 30-30. And better balance cause i hooked it up to a harness that spreads the weight across my back and shoulders.

I’m curious to hear from the group:

What would it be worth to you? Like What would you pay for a sled, that comes in a pack with a harness. All heavy duty materials, made in the USA and lifetime replacement warranty. The testing I've been putting this thing through is nuts and I'm still yet to break it.

I’m not a big corporation; I’m just a hunter who wanted to keep providing for my family without the physical burnout. I’d love your feedback on the concept!
 
I’ve been back into hunting for about 7 years now, I did it when I was a kid living in Australia, then got busy with career and all that, moved to the US, been here for 10 years now with a young family, small biz and I digress... while I love days in the woods and feeding my family, I ran into a major wall: a physical condition that makes it difficult for me to build muscle. Days out got harder, and ones where I was successful were a killer on my back, shoulders, knees...

I ended up trying one of the roll up sleds, it cracked and split when it got cold. Another one was almost textured, but it felt like it was harder to pull than the deer, then the grommets tore out.

The jet sleds are too bulky and noisy to drag around. I tried the rope/strap style and they were hard on my joints and the day after, I always felt like i'd been tossed in a tumble drier.

My old man taught me that the best way to complain is to make things.

I made a packable one that slots together. I wanted something lightweight enough to carry in, but tough enough to actually get the job done solo, and only ever have to buy one cause it should last forever like all good hunting gear (buy once, cry once, right?). After a bit of messing around, some folks told me i should get it patented and sell it.
A couple of years of spare time that I think I woulda rather been in the woods, and its up and live. I ran through some different prototypes and got something that is hardy AF. Got it made in a local plastics manufacturer and have first run sitting at home in Florida ready to sell.

I'm a lightweight, like 5'10", 155 pounds wringing wet. I pulled a 120 pound hog around with no problems at all. Hands free. Well, I had my 30-30. And better balance cause i hooked it up to a harness that spreads the weight across my back and shoulders.

I’m curious to hear from the group:

What would it be worth to you? Like What would you pay for a sled, that comes in a pack with a harness. All heavy duty materials, made in the USA and lifetime replacement warranty. The testing I've been putting this thing through is nuts and I'm still yet to break it.

I’m not a big corporation; I’m just a hunter who wanted to keep providing for my family without the physical burnout. I’d love your feedback on the concept!
How bout some pics?
 
Send me one I’ll drag some moose around in it and send you some pictures. I’ve had multiple people tell me I should be in gear testing business with how well I handle some things
 
I have no problems with my deer sleigh'r but it is bulky to move.

I cant imagine anything thinner or easy to carry would be as tough as I need though. Has to be dragged through brush, over logs, etc.
 

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