Extraction of deer

[Buchan]

I have a new bit of ground. Very steep, heavily wooded, lots of moss, lots of fallen trees, no paths, no rides. How steep? - the roe I shot on Saturday, I forgot to adjust for slope, entry perfect just behind the shoulder, exit under the spine - about 60m.

I have a dead sled, but it's too small for roe and they just kept slipping out. I'll take more straps next time. I have used a roe sack there, but it is so steep and uneven, that it's not easy walking. And it's deer fenced all round, so very few gates...

Any thoughts? Or just get fitter?!

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Roe, I normally carry out. I do need to work on my fitness though.
Passed on a fallow last week as didn’t fancy a heart attack.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Jesus, thank god you don't live in Devon, it's only a roe!

 

[mike308]

One of my grounds is all steep valleys so nearly all shots uphill or downhill aim lower uphill higher downhill. The ground is very rough replanted clearfell big hoes and brambles. I find it easier to drag the deer out, they help to stop you falling face down. Roe no problems but I must admit the reds are getting more difficult. I'm in my 70s.

 

[JMikeyH]

I have a new bit of ground. Very steep, heavily wooded, lots of moss, lots of fallen trees, no paths, no rides. How steep? - the roe I shot on Saturday, I forgot to adjust for slope, entry perfect just behind the shoulder, exit under the spine - about 60m.

I have a dead sled, but it's too small for roe and they just kept slipping out. I'll take more straps next time. I have used a roe sack there, but it is so steep and uneven, that it's not easy walking. And it's deer fenced all round, so very few gates...

Any thoughts? Or just get fitter?!

I like using a length of paracord to turn the deer into something resembling a backpack. Tight loop around the front legs just above the ankles, tight loop around the back legs just below the knee and then a loop between those two loops. Can sling it over the shoulder and carry it out that way, it's quite comfortable for the smaller species

 

[dlz90]

I have a new bit of ground. Very steep, heavily wooded, lots of moss, lots of fallen trees, no paths, no rides. How steep? - the roe I shot on Saturday, I forgot to adjust for slope, entry perfect just behind the shoulder, exit under the spine - about 60m.

I have a dead sled, but it's too small for roe and they just kept slipping out. I'll take more straps next time. I have used a roe sack there, but it is so steep and uneven, that it's not easy walking. And it's deer fenced all round, so very few gates...

Any thoughts? Or just get fitter?!

I think and it's only my opinion the easiest way especially given its a small deer IE roe, would be just to drag him if you can't carry him don't bother with a sled if it difficult terrain, delay the gralloch if need be until you get to clean ground, just use a t hook into the bottom jaw, take a break when need be then carry on.

D

 

[dlz90]

I like using a length of paracord to turn the deer into something resembling a backpack. Tight loop around the front legs just above the ankles, tight loop around the back legs just below the knee and then a loop between those two loops. Can sling it over the shoulder and carry it out that way, it's quite comfortable for the smaller species

This for roe is probably the best advice, I do this for the smaller sika, hinds calf's prickers ect, have done some considerable distance over very rough terrain just take a break every now and then.

D

 

[Heym SR20]

If its really thick cover, don’t bother trying to recover the whole carcass. Instead take of haunches, backstraps and shoulders. Leave the spine and ribcage for the wee beasties and let it rot down providing nutrients for the forest to regenerate. Why use the energy carrying out the skin and the bones which will simply end up in the bin and then landfill.

 

[FISH BOY]

Carried out a 35kg pricket Friday off a steep wood in a roe sack - weight of impact when stepping down has injured my left thigh.

Won’t be doing that again.. going forward will use my drag rope (hose and 800lb para) to get them on flatter ground first.

 

[bogtrotter]

I like using a length of paracord to turn the deer into something resembling a backpack. Tight loop around the front legs just above the ankles, tight loop around the back legs just below the knee and then a loop between those two loops. Can sling it over the shoulder and carry it out that way, it's quite comfortable for the smaller species

Have a look at how the Kiwi's do it no paranoid needed slot the front legs through the rear hocho and carry like a rucksack.
Never tried it myself but it certainly works.

 

[Ratel]

Used to carry all fallow out in a fallow sack (across shoulders before that) quite long distances with some steep hills. Couldn't get vehicle or even a quad to most of them so up to 1.5 miles in some cases. Quite easy, but that was 40+ years ago.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Wait until they are less than 10 yards from a road

Cheers

Bruce

 

[bullet chucker]

I have several purpose made very strong 'grab handles' if any body would like to purchase any. They have a loop of nylon safety heavy duty material light in weight bolted on to atatch you rope/cord or whatever. £8 posted seems fair.
IF THIS NEEDS LISTING IN ADS I APOLAGISE)

BC.

 

[devon deer stalker]

I have a new bit of ground. Very steep, heavily wooded, lots of moss, lots of fallen trees, no paths, no rides. How steep? - the roe I shot on Saturday, I forgot to adjust for slope, entry perfect just behind the shoulder, exit under the spine - about 60m.

I have a dead sled, but it's too small for roe and they just kept slipping out. I'll take more straps next time. I have used a roe sack there, but it is so steep and uneven, that it's not easy walking. And it's deer fenced all round, so very few gates...

Any thoughts? Or just get fitter?!

Sorry, my previous reply wasn't helpful, but I had just got in from shooting a roe and extracting using one of the roe sacks supplied by @big ears I didn't gralloch until I walked back 1/2 mile up hill to the truck, it made life really easy
see his post 13 here Wanted: - Poppins Roe Sack

I often use this though, and combined with a 50p IKEA bag works a treat


Anything bigger, deer cart or capstan winch

 

[NickJ]

I have a new bit of ground. Very steep, heavily wooded, lots of moss, lots of fallen trees, no paths, no rides. How steep? - the roe I shot on Saturday, I forgot to adjust for slope, entry perfect just behind the shoulder, exit under the spine - about 60m.

I have a dead sled, but it's too small for roe and they just kept slipping out. I'll take more straps next time. I have used a roe sack there, but it is so steep and uneven, that it's not easy walking. And it's deer fenced all round, so very few gates...

Any thoughts? Or just get fitter?!

For roe the smaller of these (Junior) with a cover, then you can take head and feet off to reduce weight and it won't fall out Glade Deer Management

 

[User00040]

One of my grounds is all steep valleys so nearly all shots uphill or downhill aim lower uphill higher downhill. The ground is very rough replanted clearfell big hoes and brambles. I find it easier to drag the deer out, they help to stop you falling face down. Roe no problems but I must admit the reds are getting more difficult. I'm in my 70s.

This is not correct.

 

[User00040]

If its really thick cover, don’t bother trying to recover the whole carcass. Instead take of haunches, backstraps and shoulders. Leave the spine and ribcage for the wee beasties and let it rot down providing nutrients for the forest to regenerate. Why use the energy carrying out the skin and the bones which will simply end up in the bin and then landfill.

Agree with this, although some of the more enterprising have started selling deer legs as 'dog treats'...

 

[willie_gunn]

This is not correct.

This

Whether the target is 45 degrees above you or 45 degrees below you, it is still at 45 degrees.

By aiming off you are compensating for the reduced effect of gravity, so always aim low regardless.

 

[VSS]

This

Whether the target is 45 degrees above you or 45 degrees below you, it is still at 45 degrees.

By aiming off you are compensating for the reduced effect of gravity, so always aim low regardless.

As discussed in another thread recently, there's also the fact that your point of impact needs to be lower on the body if shooting uphill, and higher on the body if shooting downhill.
So that's what @mike308 is no doubt referring to. I would have said the same.

 

[wytonpjs]

I'm in a similar position with roe, muntjac and fallow down a very slippery and steep woodland slope on one of my productive permissions. It was treacherous underfoot on Saturday and Sunday and it wasn't raining. For the fallow, I have sourced 120m of dyneema and use the winch on the front of my truck or the one in the back (weight dependent) with a descender to do it in stages. I have dragged, cursed and stumbled dragging roe up the slope and for muntjac like yesterday's evening, I use a Seeland carrier. Sadly, these appear to have been discontinued and having lost mine bought a decade or so ago, some kindly soul on here very generously gifted me his and I am forever grateful.

I have seen something similar made by Roetex - I'm sure others are available. Doubles as a way of suspending a carcass over a branch too.