Gear for Disabled Hunters - Extracting and processing big game

[USAF Ret]

I am a 100% disabled veteran. I know that sometimes comes with a stigma that the VA Disability system is abused. However, I am a non-abuser. I have a titanium rod in my neck and deal with chronic pain. Both shoulders have rotator cuff tears that need surgery, but I have not been able to take that amount of time off. I also have spinal issues in my back. Not looking for sympathy, but solutions.

The last few years, I have been hunting on the farm of my late son's best friend. He and his family have been an absolute blessing. They always help extract and process my deer, well they pretty much do it for me. This year I joined a hunt club that is much closer to the house, as their farm is a bit of a drive. I am very worried about what to do if I get a deer down, as I will be all by my lonesome. I am purchasing a 4-wheeler before the season starts, so that will help. So after my bloviation of my issues...

What is on the market to help disabled hunters extract and process deer easily, with less physical effort? My concern is getting the deer on the 4-wheeler and also getting the deer in a good position to gut and quarter. Are there anythings on the market, maybe mechanical, that can help in this?

Thank you for anyone who takes the time to read through all my rambling and responds.

 

[Ben Long]

Hmmm. I'm not in your situation but I imagine an electric winch of some kinds would be useful. They make some small portable models that might be the ticket. I'm not sure how much mobility you have but even an old-fashioned come-along might help. A plastic drag sled can make it easier to move a deer on dry ground. Tell us a bit more about the circumstances you imagine.

 

[USAF Ret]

Hmmm. I'm not in your situation but I imagine an electric winch of some kinds would be useful. They make some small portable models that might be the ticket. I'm not sure how much mobility you have but even an old-fashioned come-along might help. A plastic drag sled can make it easier to move a deer on dry ground. Tell us a bit more about the circumstances you imagine.

I have worked come-alongs and I can tell you that it would be pretty hard. I like the idea of a small electric mounted winch or sled to pull the deer. I am also thinking about how to get the deer up in a position to process it.

Basically, I can injure myself worse very easily. The less movement of lifting and bending would be optimal. To let you know how bad it is, I went dove hunting last weekend. Really not much in the way of lifting a lot. The moving my neck and scanning the sky, plus swinging on doves coming through and shooting left me in severe pain afterwards that it took me days and meds to recover from.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Vestil Hitch Mounted Truck Crane

Hitch Mounted Truck Cranes from Vestil offer a versatile lifting and handling solution in the field for loading and unloading trucks. Coupling easily to the hitch mount, this crane boasts a lifting capacity of 600lbs with a reach of 47-1/2". Mounts to Class III or Higher 2" Receiver

liftingequipmentstore.us

I instantly thought of something like this. Might be able to find one that goes on an atv.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I think Ben 1 has the electronic winch right. Remove as many of the bad variables as possible from the situation as well.

Can you go scope out the hunt club before hunting? I bet they have a buck pole strung up already, and if you have a 4 wheeler w/a winch, and a sled to drag it with, you should be able to use the winch through the buck pole to lift the deer.

Have a buddy on stand by to help if needed? Even if they aren't hunting with you, an assist is always welcome!

States often have regulations specifically for disabled hunters relative to retrieval as well. Might be worth calling the warden.

Processing - Given the description post dove hunting, you may want to have some help with that. That's a lot of shoulder work, and craning the neck, etc. Not sure what can help that other than a shot of whiskey and 1000 mg of ibuprofen.

 

[Bowmannate2000]

Where are you located? Maybe there are some local hunt talkers that would be willing to assist if you get one down.

 

[mevertsen]

Get your shoulders fixed.

Save up all the money you would spend on gadgets, gear and stuff to get you through the time off work.

Then worry about hunting.

 

[USAF Ret]

Get your shoulders fixed.

Save up all the money you would spend on gadgets, gear and stuff to get you through the time off work.

Then worry about hunting.

Easier said than done. If I get my shoulders fixed, I cannot drive for 8 weeks. I have a disabled wife I take care of and we don't have support where we are at. TMI, but it is not as easy as just getting surgery.

Not the ask, either.

 

[USAF Ret]

On all of the other, this hunt club is just set up with stands. Their main focus is crops and a bird hunting business, so they do not put much into deer hunting. So, no processing station. I do not know any of the other members. The guy who runs it is a good friend, but he is very busy. I want to be able to do this without needing so much assistance. Any help with devices is appreciated. I will do some research.

 

[mevertsen]

Easier said than done. If I get my shoulders fixed, I cannot drive for 8 weeks. I have a disabled wife I take care of and we don't have support where we are at. TMI, but it is not as easy as just getting surgery.

Not the ask, either.

I get it man. Ive been through a ton of surgeries. Im still recovering from a kidney transplant from this spring, (my third) I've not worked at all for 2 years, been sick off and on for most of my life, and I'm only 42.

You asked about gear. Your shoulders and your body ARE the gear that will help you through the process.

You have to find a way to make it work. Everything else is a bandaid on a bullet hole.

And if you are to the point of needing surgery, a simple task will render you completely useless, because your shoulders are already weak.

(I've dealt with shoulders injuries as well).

That may not be what you want to hear, but its was you need to hear to make sure you can hunt well into the future.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

On all of the other, this hunt club is just set up with stands. Their main focus is crops and a bird hunting business, so they do not put much into deer hunting. So, no processing station. I do not know any of the other members. The guy who runs it is a good friend, but he is very busy. I want to be able to do this without needing so much assistance. Any help with devices is appreciated. I will do some research.

Are you able to drive around the property in your four wheeler? If so dragging the deer just got real easy. As for getting into a butcher position, really just need a way to loop the winch cable over something tall and have the winch pull the deer to height. Could be a strong branch, might need to install a strong pipe somewhere. Hard to say without being on the ground there

 

[Sask hunter]

Use the quads winch to roll then onto their Back and block them in places with a rock or log. I have done that with moose would be super easy on a deer. Hooks a chain or tow strap to the deer to drag out with your quad to where could access with a truck

 

[Jnasa]

I have an older hunting friend. He bought a system called “hook a rack” for his 4 wheeler. It uses the electric winch. You have to get the deer in the rack at ground level. It then raises the rack up off the ground allowing you to drive off with the deer in front.

I’d still encourage trying to find someone who could help. Still need to field dress the deer. I understand though and hope you find something that works for you.

 

[USAF Ret]

I get it man. Ive been through a ton of surgeries. Im still recovering from a kidney transplant from this spring, (my third) I've not worked at all for 2 years, been sick off and on for most of my life, and I'm only 42.

You asked about gear. Your shoulders and your body ARE the gear that will help you through the process.

You have to find a way to make it work. Everything else is a bandaid on a bullet hole.

And if you are to the point of needing surgery, a simple task will render you completely useless, because your shoulders are already weak.

(I've dealt with shoulders injuries as well).

That may not be what you want to hear, but its was you need to hear to make sure you can hunt well into the future.

I am sorry you are going through all of that. Some of my crap is from surgery as well. It made things worse, specifically the c2-c7 replacement. That has caused all kinds of issues. I can no longer lift anything above 25 lbs.

 

[cgasner1]

You should post on Facebook about maybe trying to get a high school kid to give you a hand a sled and winch on the wheeler you’d be surprised it’s more their time than work. You should look into a capstan style that you can mount onto it so you could get a few hundred feet of rope

 

[mevertsen]

I am sorry you are going through all of that. Some of my crap is from surgery as well. It made things worse, specifically the c2-c7 replacement. That has caused all kinds of issues. I can no longer lift anything above 25 lbs.

Also, think about this ....


I'm considering how much hunting I can do. Its a tough realization.

Came to fruition last month during my antelope hunt.

It just sucks thats part of life, but it is.

Birds don't sound too bad.

 

[USAF Ret]

I have an older hunting friend. He bought a system called “hook a rack” for his 4 wheeler. It uses the electric winch. You have to get the deer in the rack at ground level. It then raises the rack up off the ground allowing you to drive off with the deer in front.

I’d still encourage trying to find someone who could help. Still need to field dress the deer. I understand though and hope you find something that works for you.

THIS is exactly what I was looking for. Yes, I can use the front winch over a tree or something to get it into a gutting and quartering position.

 

[USAF Ret]

You should post on Facebook about maybe trying to get a high school kid to give you a hand a sled and winch on the wheeler you’d be surprised it’s more their time than work. You should look into a capstan style that you can mount onto it so you could get a few hundred feet of rope

I don't have Facebook, but thanks.

 

[USAF Ret]

Also, think about this ....


I'm considering how much hunting I can do. Its a tough realization.

Came to fruition last month during my antelope hunt.

It just sucks thats part of life, but it is.

Birds don't sound too bad.

It is and you either quit or try and find a way to make it work. I am not quite at quitting yet.

Their bird operation is great. Very easy hunts and the birds are basically wild as they are raised in a 30ft high 100 yard pin. So, they jump and fly pretty good. Even had one pheasant that did a 200 yard fly into the woods.

 

[cgasner1]

I don't have Facebook, but thanks.

Me neither but my dog has been crushing it on the market place buying things for this fall