Not gonna work

[grumpy]

#7541

I got some “realtree” camo burlap. Since I snezzed, coughed, and snorted all the way home (the thing smelled like a barnyard), I washed it. The “realtree” camo that was printed on the front, washed out, and it still smelles like a cow barn. It is sitting out in the back yard, and looks and smells like a cow plop.

I also got a camo hoodie. When I got it home, I discovered that the inside side is….. Brillent White. I’ve painted a lot of whites, and this is PURE BRILLENT WHITE.

I also have another issue. Since everything seems to work, the bucratic issues with the license seem resolved, my arm will be recoveded, I may actually kill something bigger than the flies I’ve been hunting for the last 3 weeks. One problem. Although I have a high strength to weight ratio, my weight is only 120 lbs. It is likley that any deer I manage to kill will weigh more than I do, and possible that it will approach twice what I weigh. How the hell am I going to drag that out of the woods. Remember this is New England. Secound growth hardwoods, most trees are less than one foot in diameter, and very little space between trees. A glacer went thru at the end of the last ice age, so the woods are covered with rocks and bulders. They range in size from the size of your fist to the size of a small house. Which means that draging anything is kinda out of the question, constant hang ups on rocks and trees. Twenty or even 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have given it a thought, and just dragged the sucker out of there with brute force and will power. But at 63 (64 by the time the season starts), arthritus, alergies, and questionable rotator cups… Yes, I have friends, but most are either dead, or in worse shape than I am. Bernie is dead, Bob only has one lung, and Bill still has a bone sticking out of his sholder from the motorcycle accident. Blah, Blah, Blah. Wouldn’t ask Wally, he is crazy.

I have no problem field dressing the critter, and could quater it with a bit of instruction (skinned muskrats, coons, rabbits, squirrels, etc. and saw a few deer butchered as a teen). But even then I might need a wheelbarrel. How do you guys get critters out of the woods?

[William Warren]

#63122

Hey Grumpy,

I hear ya. Sometimes even if we have friends that would help it might not be convenient for them.

You could try the gutless method. I’ve done this when dragging was not an option. I carry a military type poncho which has a number of uses but in a pinch it makes a great meat sack. Just spread it out and start dressing your deer. Oh yeah the gutless method involves not removing the guts. Instead of splitting the hide down the belly I split it down the spine exposing the back straps which I cut out first. Then continue skinning until you have the hams and shoulder exposed,remove them saw off the legs, flip the deer over and repeat on the other side. You can use the hide as you skin it as sort of a blanket to keep the meat off the ground until you can transfer it to your poncho. Once you have all the meat you can get just tie the poncho up and pack it out to the nearest cooler.

[grumpy]

#63162

Doable, thanks Dunk.

[Doc Nock]

#63199

That gutless sounds wonderful… but a good pack and some prepared meat bags or old pillow cases can’t hurt either.

I’d take a painter’s drop cloth…and not only remove the quarters the gutless way, but I think I’d also bone it on the spot if it wasn’t dark… Bones get heavy packing at our age!

However, various states I’ve been in prohibit you removing the hide or sex organs and that would put a real pucker in this advice!

I have a deer cart that is back packable dis-assembled. Then goes together toot sweet! Mine has wheels that are flared out so you can side hill without the whole mess rolling down the hill and busting everything to smithers!

but in that type rock and dog hair slash, it would be pure T hell.

As for that burlap stuff…yeah, it stinks till hell freezes over. I found an outfit that makes ghillie suits out of light weight synthetic string and they make blinds with it too… if you want their website, email me!

You have bears and other critters that would readily find your kill I would guess so hanging some of the quarters till you packed in and out with a reasonable load might not be do-able either, huh?

[grumpy]

#63567

LOL, I remember using wheel barrels to take cord wood out of the hills, That was 30 years ago, and we really messed up the place.

I was thinking pillow cases, and yes the bears/cayoties will be there, along with a whole slew of coons, possims, skunks, buzzards, blah blah blah

For the bling I’m thnking some kaki fabric from the discount fabric store, and black tie dye, but that web site might help.

[Doc Nock]

#63606

Sent you the links to that website via your email.

Well, actually sent 2 emails…forgot the 2nd link on the first email.

1st link: just the fabric

2nd link: fabric and poles to make ground blind

[mhay]

#63637

Ah , the joys of growing old and stiff.

I have built a pack frame which will accomodate a great number of the available ”day packs” . The frame is made of .375 o.d. steel hydraulic tubing , seat belt strapping cut from an old car and a hand full of rivets .

The pack weighs 5.5 pounds empty. When loaded with a days food and water , plus the essentials for boning out a deer , it is just above 12 pounds .

Not only is it sturdy it rides well on my skinny back and doubles as a seat for ground hunting . And , if I want to take a snooze , just lay it down , bag toward the ground and it allows me to lie down with my shoulders and head slightly elevated . It doesn’t hinder shooting either .

Wish I could post a picture but that’s beyond my c’puter abilities.

Just another tool to consider that may or may not fit your needs .

[Doc Nock]

#63669

Sounds cool. Have you ever loaded it with meat and seen how well the rivets hold weight?

If you email me your pics, I can see about sizing and posting for you…

I have a fantasy to make a seat like the Nifty Seat but that is a bit more forgiving around the…ahem, personal areas.

I envisioned two light aircraft alum tubes that one slides in another…drill holes, then use clevis pins at whatever height you want. Weld a hinge and stop plate on top, attach a light weight flat plate and then some foam… carry strap and off you go.

The bottom would sport my nifty seat large nut, washer and point.

Course, I have zero access to materials and less tools or talent!:D

[mhay]

#63697

I have not loaded it with meat , but did fill it with roughly 40-45 lbs. just to see how it felt and rode on my back .

The tubular frame is of welded construction. The center section of the frame (the area covering my middle back) is where the 2 inch wide seat belt material is running both vertical and horizontal. The end of the belts are riveted . The belt material gives a cushion over most of my back .

My plan is to get into the 4000 plus acre WMA and arrow a deer and bone it where it drops. I would never attempt to drag a deer out of that rough country .

I’ll see if my wife can get the pictures done .

Thanks

[Robin Conrads]

#63727

I am also happy to resize and post photos for you. Just email them to me at webmaster@tradbow.com. I also appreciate your willingness to help, Doc. 😀

[mhay]

#63735

Thank you Webmother . I’ll keep that in mind ,,,,well ,,,, I’ll try not to forget , which is great chore on my part .

[Doc Nock]

#63743

See if I can do this picture thing now that I offered! 😀

[Doc Nock]

#63748

HOw about THAT!!! it worked!

Pretty good looking frame, Mark.

Did you weld that up yourself? Pretty impressive!

I like the frames with the mesh back panel that you can loosen or tighten to move the weight closer or farther from your back, depending on weight, too… keeps one cooler than solid stuff!

SWEET!

Thanks, Web Momma… I actually did figure the posting! Scary!:roll:

[mhay]

#63751

Actually my buddy did the welding ,,,mig .

That same buddy tips the scale at just under 400 lbs. He put the frame through the SEAT test with no problems.

Thanks again!

[Doc Nock]

#63766

You are a lucky man to have a buddy with TIG welding abilities and gear! Nicely done!

[grumpy]

#64103

I’m planning to use the pack frame in the Two Good Finds thread. They were popular back in the ’60s. Fits me and I Can strap anything to that frame, and the swing out shelf. Yours doe’s look a lot more classy, and perhaps stronger. I have a good welder friend too, but he charges me $70 an hour, just to let you know what a good friend he is.

Haven’t yet figured out how to make it into a seat too, but I am working at it. Sometimes takes awhile for the right gear to come around.

Suggest you use stainless rivets. Stronger, no rust, no galvanic action.

[grumpy]

#64116

Car seat belts may overtake duct tape. If you have a good junk yard, they don’t even charge you.

[mhay]

#64134

duct tape is good but it tends to become a conglomerate of hair , feathers an’ leaves 😀

[Charles Ek]

#7697

Never, ever carry when you can drag. (It’s even better if a dog or two is available for the dragging, but I digress.)

I use the Paris Expedition sled to haul deer out of the woods. I also use this sled to haul winter camping equipment into the woods. During an ice storm I used this sled to haul wood into the house. Other people have used this sled to haul winter camping equipment to latitudes far north of 80 and to lung-sucking elevations on Denali.

Get thyself to Aubuchon Hardware, stat: Paris Expedition Sled

[Charles Ek]

#7703

Here’s a pic of 120 pounds, dressed, on the Paris sled after a drag of just over a mile through the New Hampshire woods. The toughest part of the trip was getting this deer up onto the tailgate. Granted, it was on woods roads for the most part, but the sled handled things very nicely during a detour around a huge deadfall. It helps to hunt uphill if possible …

[mhay]

#7705

I suppose there are a great number of possibilities for getting a deer size or larger animal out of the woods or off the plains and into our house .

With me it is trying to be as practicle as possible , taking into consideration the terrain , weather, and my physical abilities . I can easily see the variations in different climates .

Dad used a team of mules and a wagon in ’61 to haul a giant 10 pointer out of a deep holler in Rock Castle Co. Kentucky.

This really seems like a hyjacking of grumpy’s thread but I honestly posted to assist or spawn some thought to help.

[mhay]

#7707

I was posting as you were. I see your sled . It appears there is no snow . That sled does the job on typical hardwoods leaf litter ? Impressive ! And , congrats on the deer .

Understand the UPHILL hunting too.

In snow I’d be sitting on the deer riding it down over the break ridge in my favorite hunting area .:D:D Probably hit 40 MPH.

[Charles Ek]

#7721

mhay wrote: I was posting as you were. I see your sled . It appears there is no snow . That sled does the job on typical hardwoods leaf litter ? Impressive ! And , congrats on the deer .

Understand the UPHILL hunting too.

In snow I’d be sitting on the deer riding it down over the break ridge in my favorite hunting area .:D:D Probably hit 40 MPH.

It slides very nicely on almost any surface, including leaf litter, slash, barely concealed granite (I’m in NH) and gravel. It’s a favorite of folks who like tough, versatile sleds. There’s a whole subculture out there of “pulk” builders who use the Paris sled.

[mhay]

#7747

I’m in southern Ohio , where most , if not all is 3rd or 4th cut timber. The understory is thick as hair on a mink in most places .

At 56 years old and experiencing Degenerative disc disease , I may not get to live out my dream of using the pack/seat I have designed and built. But, I’m willing to try ,,,,,,,,and it may come to simply dropping the pack somewhere along the trail and switch to squirrel hunting , to pick up the pack on the return trip.

I am realistically trying to avoid anything physical that may hinder me from hunting while at the same time giving thought to the possible tasks at hand that may arise during any hunt .

Beyond the pack ,,,or the sled ,,,take care of your body .

I was young and felt invincable and did foolish things ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and now am reduced because of it .

[grumpy]

#7925

DUHHHHHH

Been using the kids sled to haul firewood across the back yard, but never thought to use it to move anything else, and I’ve draged my plastic kayak over most everything. LOVE it!!! So simple, effective, and frugal (not cheap, frugal).

Understand about the tailgate, have that problem with a lot of things.

[grumpy]

#7930

It’s a favorite of folks who like tough, versatile sleds. There’s a whole subculture out there of “pulk” builders who use the Paris sled.

What is a pulk builder?

[Charles Ek]

#8233

grumpy wrote: It’s a favorite of folks who like tough, versatile sleds. There’s a whole subculture out there of “pulk” builders who use the Paris sled.

What is a pulk builder?

Here’s a site with good info on building pulks:

Pulks

For deer hauling, I remove my rigid poles and use a rope that is looped across my chest. It’s easier to deal with possible snags in the woods that way. I pull by the deer’s neck, with the rope also tied into the sled cross ropes. That way the deer stays firmly in the sled.

[Doc Nock]

#16834

I tried t he plastic roll up “sleds” for a couple years… good thing I was younger and more foolish.

I can relate so very well to Mhay’s comment about youth, abuse and “pay me now or pay me later”…Later just showed up with it’s hand out!

My degenerative arty ritis is systemic…they tell me if I don’t do proper exercises daily, I’ll fuse into a stick! Parts of me already have…but if I over do it or just be “active” I’m going to be a freakin cripple.

Last year I decided to drag a buck a couple hundred yards to a road way I could drive to…instead of waking to get my a fore mentioned wheeled cart… and since last Nov…I have constant tendonitis in both elbows… NO MORE DRAGGING for me!

I’d be content to just shoot tasty smaller does, if I could… but our game department limits to one!

[mhay]

#16892

I’d really like to go to one of the Rocky Mt. states on one of those big hunts .But I’d be ferfectly content to just loaf around the mountains flingin’ arrows at those grouse we see so often in TBM .

Oh , I have the greatest respect for you folks that hunt elk or any of the big game and work to get ’em down off the mountain , it just ain’t what I want to do.

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