Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Discussions on hunting guns, gear, field craft, and all topics related to hunting.
User avatar
Orchidman
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 10:03 am

Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Orchidman »

As I get older I am finding that some tasks are getting harder to do. Case in point, hanging deer in a tree to dress them out in the field. Used to be able to lift my own weight nearly. Now I struggle to hang more than 40+kilos.
Looked at getting a gambrel hoist but found they were bulky and not easy to fit in my day pack. Figured I could make one that would do the job and not be so bulky.
Went to my local Marine shop and found these......
20230710_195747.jpg
20230710_195747.jpg (3.5 MiB) Viewed 5343 times
The match next to the packet gives you an idea of scale.
20230710_195720.jpg
20230710_195720.jpg (2.58 MiB) Viewed 5343 times
Note the load capacity.... Max working load is 240kg/530lb from a pulley that is smaller than a matchbox!
20230710_195734.jpg
20230710_195734.jpg (2.71 MiB) Viewed 5343 times
Nylon cord is rated at 400kg....
Put it all together and it makes a very small packet that fits in the side pocket of my day pack.
Been carrying it around for the last couple of months but havent had to use it cos normally I have the quad winch handy or someone else to help lift.
Sunday night gave me the first opportunity to try it out. The doe I shot weighed about 55-60kilos on the hoof and came to rest on a steep hillside resting against a tree with a steep drop off below it.( about 30' vertical)
Set up the hoist on a tree about 10-15' uphill, cut through a rear leg and looped a rope around the leg and using very little effort, dragged the deer uphill then hoisted it off the ground. Tied a second loop to the other back leg and tied it to a branch which gave me full access to field dress it. Cut and cable tied the anal orifice and poked it into the body cavity, then opened the deer as far as the brisket. Cut through the brisket with a Gerber gut saw having already split the skin with a knife down to its neck.
A quick pull on the gut bag, a bit of knife work around the diaphragm and the gut contents fell free.
Having neck shot the doe, the gut cavity was as clean as a whistle.
When Bh arrived to help carry the deer out he was impressed........so impressed that I went back to the marine dealer today and got him all the bits to make his own hoist..
Getting old means you have to learn to work smarter, not harder.

( Note: With a 4 pulley system, 4 ropes, it multiplies my lifting capacity 4 times....)

Apologies for no pics but my ph was in my car. Will carry it with me next time and provide pics....
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

I have a portable pulley system. As a kid, I learned to dress game from the hanging position. Not gonna lie,, now days, I prefer to gut then I’m the ground. It’s so much faster for me.
Skinning and quartering is better in the hanging position. But, I can gut one on the ground in about 2 min or less. Just easier.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Mines not so portable. Slips in the trailer hitch. 😬
I go back and forth on gutting, whether it’s laying down or hanging. Think I prefer a mix. Get stuff cut while laying, then lift it to dump the guts.

Quartering and skinning is obviously done hanging. The beauty of the hoist is you can raise the critter to a comfortable height.

Or, you can be a knuckle dragging ape and have a hoist, yet leave the critter at the lowest possible setting while bending over to do the work.

Not that I’m judging. #yesiam
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

When you keep their legs on the ground, they don’t twist and turn while butchering.
Meanie. 😘
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Zee wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:25 pm When you keep their legs on the ground, they don’t twist and turn while butchering.
Meanie. 😘
I’ll deal with that it tie a leg off instead of bending over. I’m old and fat. Comfort trumps speed.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

IMG_0571.gif
IMG_0571.gif (4.71 MiB) Viewed 5319 times
IMG_0572.gif
IMG_0572.gif (3.28 MiB) Viewed 5319 times
IMG_0570.gif
IMG_0570.gif (206.83 KiB) Viewed 5319 times
IMG_0573.gif
IMG_0573.gif (404.14 KiB) Viewed 5319 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
Chiro1989
Posts: 1683
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:35 am

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Chiro1989 »

CPJ 2.0 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 12:57 pm Mines not so portable. Slips in the trailer hitch. 😬
I go back and forth on gutting, whether it’s laying down or hanging. Think I prefer a mix. Get stuff cut while laying, then lift it to dump the guts.

Quartering and skinning is obviously done hanging. The beauty of the hoist is you can raise the critter to a comfortable height.

Or, you can be a knuckle dragging ape and have a hoist, yet leave the critter at the lowest possible setting while bending over to do the work.

Not that I’m judging. #yesiam
Polite guests hold a leg while the cutter is cutting ;)
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Chiro1989 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 3:11 pm
CPJ 2.0 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 12:57 pm Mines not so portable. Slips in the trailer hitch. 😬
I go back and forth on gutting, whether it’s laying down or hanging. Think I prefer a mix. Get stuff cut while laying, then lift it to dump the guts.

Quartering and skinning is obviously done hanging. The beauty of the hoist is you can raise the critter to a comfortable height.

Or, you can be a knuckle dragging ape and have a hoist, yet leave the critter at the lowest possible setting while bending over to do the work.

Not that I’m judging. #yesiam
Polite guests hold a leg while the cutter is cutting ;)
Only if asked. He’s like a spider monkey on meth with knives for hands. It’s best to just stay out the way. You AINT gonna make it go faster. Likely slow it down and make monkey mad.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

Haha!
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

IMG_0576.gif
IMG_0576.gif (194.25 KiB) Viewed 5301 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
bullsi1911
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
Location: Austin By God Texas

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by bullsi1911 »

CPJ 2.0 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 3:32 pm
Chiro1989 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 3:11 pm
CPJ 2.0 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 12:57 pm Mines not so portable. Slips in the trailer hitch. 😬
I go back and forth on gutting, whether it’s laying down or hanging. Think I prefer a mix. Get stuff cut while laying, then lift it to dump the guts.

Quartering and skinning is obviously done hanging. The beauty of the hoist is you can raise the critter to a comfortable height.

Or, you can be a knuckle dragging ape and have a hoist, yet leave the critter at the lowest possible setting while bending over to do the work.

Not that I’m judging. #yesiam

Polite guests hold a leg while the cutter is cutting ;)
Only if asked. He’s like a spider monkey on meth with knives for hands. It’s best to just stay out the way. You AINT gonna make it go faster. Likely slow it down and make monkey mad.

#Truth

Years of knee and back problems has me do what I can lifted in the air. It’s just easier and less painful to gut the animal while it hangs
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov

AKA ‘Admin’
User avatar
bullsi1911
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
Location: Austin By God Texas

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by bullsi1911 »

Back to the original post- I like that idea. I may have to put together something like that for my hunting pack.
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov

AKA ‘Admin’
User avatar
Chiro1989
Posts: 1683
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:35 am

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Chiro1989 »

CPJ 2.0 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 3:32 pm
Chiro1989 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 3:11 pm
CPJ 2.0 wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 12:57 pm Mines not so portable. Slips in the trailer hitch. 😬
I go back and forth on gutting, whether it’s laying down or hanging. Think I prefer a mix. Get stuff cut while laying, then lift it to dump the guts.

Quartering and skinning is obviously done hanging. The beauty of the hoist is you can raise the critter to a comfortable height.

Or, you can be a knuckle dragging ape and have a hoist, yet leave the critter at the lowest possible setting while bending over to do the work.

Not that I’m judging. #yesiam
Polite guests hold a leg while the cutter is cutting ;)
Only if asked. He’s like a spider monkey on meth with knives for hands. It’s best to just stay out the way. You AINT gonna make it go faster. Likely slow it down and make monkey mad.
Meh, I could hold a beer and steady the deer at the same time, I was not concerned until he took off his pants because of the "fleas"
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

IMG_0590.gif
IMG_0590.gif (2.01 MiB) Viewed 5277 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
Orchidman
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 10:03 am

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Orchidman »

Zee wrote: Tue Jul 11, 2023 4:45 amIMG_0590.gif
:lol: :lol: :lol:
User avatar
Chiro1989
Posts: 1683
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:35 am

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Chiro1989 »

😁
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

tmp.gif
tmp.gif (599.55 KiB) Viewed 5249 times



FINALLY
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

IMG_0592.gif
IMG_0592.gif (650.44 KiB) Viewed 5247 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Zee wrote: Tue Jul 11, 2023 10:12 pmIMG_0592.gif
We’ve done number one standing shoulder to shoulder, number two is the next logical step.



Actually, forget I said that. I know you well enough you’d hold a poop till I had to, just so we could poop together. Side by side.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

IMG_0593.gif
IMG_0593.gif (1.95 MiB) Viewed 5246 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
User avatar
Chiro1989
Posts: 1683
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:35 am

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Chiro1989 »

poop.jpg
poop.jpg (219.79 KiB) Viewed 5240 times
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
User avatar
CPJ 2.0
Posts: 3868
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:57 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

He doesn’t need encouragement or new ideas.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
User avatar
Zee
Posts: 2749
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: Lifting deer in the field to dress them out.

Post by Zee »

Chiro1989 wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 12:53 ampoop.jpg
IMG_0597.gif
IMG_0597.gif (2.67 MiB) Viewed 5237 times
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Post Reply