Buck Hollow Sporting Goods - click or touch to visit their website Midwest Habitat Company

loading a deer

moosehunter

moosehunter

PMA Member
Since I normally hunt by myself getting a deer in the truck was always a challenge. For the last several years I used my deer cart. I put the end of it on the tailgate then hoisted the deer and cart together into the bed. A little cumbersome but it was alot easier than trying to lift or pull the deer up by itself. This year I bring along an old piece of 3/4" plywood about 6 foot long and use it as a ramp and just pull the deer up in the bed using a rope. It's such a simple idea I feel stupid for not thinking of it years ago. :eek:

How does everyone else get thier deer in the truck?
 
I lift them up with my pinky finger, what's your problem? :grin:

Actually, we use a heavy duty, ice fishing type of sled behind our ATV and then pull it up on the trailer with the ATV. Very easy. As far as getting the deer in the cart...just lay the cart next to the deer, tilt it up on it's side and roll the deer into the cart.
 
Call Rutnstrut he's always very handy for this!!!!! Rarely have I had to load one alone but have utilized cable come alongs or ratchet straps to get one side lifted and held in position and then lift and swing the other side on to the tailgate.
 
I have thought about this a lot in the tree, if we invented something, we would at least be thousandaires :) A lot of the times I have had to pull in the ditch so my tail gate is almost flush with the road but you can't always do that.
 
Luckily, every time I've had to load one I couldn't get by myself, a buddy has come to the rescue. I have thought about this situation many times and I don't really have a great answer. Some good thoughts mentioned already.
 
i do the same thing and carry half a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood. i just thought of it last season and it worked great. now there is always a sheet in the bed of my truck! :grin:
 
Rope around the head, get in the back, pull like hell and curse yourself for having to load it by yourself.
 
I'm lucky now that I kill all my deer where I pick them up with the front end loader. Used to hunt pub prop though and we used a cart and a hitch haul. The hitch haul is lower and you line up the cart perpendicular to the vehicle and at either end of the HH. Pretty much give a tug, lean back and the metal just slides right up and over then tilt it down. With a little creative parking and a hitch haul they can be pretty close to ground. It works really well and I only weigh about 150. I've handled a lot of chubbies that way all by myself.

Those hitch hauls also really cut down on cleanup.
 
For doe I always carry a rope in my pack and tie it around the deer's neck, jump up in the truck and pull her on in. Usually is pretty easy. For a buck I would probably recruit some help to get it in. But so far this year haven't had the chance to try.:( Maybe late muzzy or bow I'll give it a shot;)
 
Central Iowa said:
Call Rutnstrut he's always very handy for this!!!!! Rarely have I had to load one alone but have utilized cable come alongs or ratchet straps to get one side lifted and held in position and then lift and swing the other side on to the tailgate.
Click to expand...


Bingo :way:
 
I carry a 6ft step ladder in my truck. I get the deer to where I can get a truck to it. I then lay ratchet straps under the ladder and roll the deer onto it. I cinch up the straps and back the truck up close to the end of the ladder. Using the law of physics I now have a lever in which I can raise the one end high enough to muscle it onto the the end gate. I then back the truck up some to move the ladder into the box further. Lastly, life the end remaining on the ground and push it into the box. Works like a charm, I've loaded a few heavyweights this way.
 
This works well:

137880i_ts.JPG
 
I usually lift the buck's head so the antlers rest on the tailgate, maybe temporarily attaching a rubber snubber or ratchet strap so it stays put. Then you can jump into the bed of the truck and dig your boot heals into the space between the tailgate and bed. Put one hand on each antler base with the nose facing up, and basically fall backwards until the deer ends up on your lap into the back of the truck. It seems like by using the method, the shoulders/legs don't get caught up on the edge of the tailgate. Just make sure you don't let go in the process!
 
How many of you guys have ATV's? Those ramps arnt just for loading the machine ya know. I keep my ramp padlocked in the box of my pickup for every hunt. I can load a super heavy weight on my own with it, and with the help of a come-along I have loaded elk on my own also.
 
In all honestly I just use one of those hitch haulers. It is only 2 feet off the ground and is pretty easy. They are only like 50-60 bucks. I have a crew cab pickup and the bed is only 5 ft 7 plus I have a toolbox in it and all my gear so a deer doesn't even fit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom