Why You Need a Deer Sled and Winch System for Deer Stalking

Whether you partake in deer stalking predominantly for leisure, to hunt for meat or to control deer numbers, you’ll want to invest in practical and convenient equipment for guaranteed success. A key piece of equipment that you’ll want under your belt, then, is a deer drag sled.

After the satisfaction and celebration of making a successful shot, you’ll then need to go about transporting your prize back to your vehicle for gralloching and transporting to a chilled store. The only issue? Deer are heavy, so it’s not like you can exactly carry back your kill. Deer sleds allow you to instead transport deer back to your vehicle with ease.

Read on below as we discuss everything you need to know regarding deer drag sleds and how the use of them can be made even easier with the help of a winch system.

What is the Purpose of a Deer Drag Sled?

As the name suggests, a deer drag sled is a type of sled that is designed to hold deer so that they can be dragged back to your vehicle after being shot during stalking. They are designed to be lightweight yet sturdy, so that they aren’t laborious to carry when empty but will still be strong and durable enough to hold and drag deer.

Due to the stealthy nature of deer stalking and tracking them in their natural environment, it’s often the case that carcasses will be in places that are inaccessible by car, which is why a deer sled is required to both hygienically and easily transport the carcass.

The best designs of these sleds feature runners on the underside, so that they can easily be dragged across various terrain (such as grass, mud, snow, gravel or rocks) without any damage being caused to the main body of the sled itself. They will also have sufficiently raised edges in order to enclose the deer while it is being dragged, along with side slot carrying handles should you need to pick the sled up.

Using a Deer Sled in Conjunction with a Winch System

Though deer sleds make the process of dragging deer carcasses much easier, that still doesn’t change the fact that they are heavy, making this a still rather tiring and physical job. This becomes even harder when you then have to lift the deer up onto the gralloching stand and load the carcass into your boot.

That’s why a winch system is a life saver when it comes to deer stalking. Using a winch will make your life much easier, since you can utilise the effectiveness of its pulling power to make the process of transporting deer carcasses much quicker and more efficient - without requiring any additional labour on your part.

For these systems to work, the winch is fitted into the back of your vehicle and is often powered by your vehicle’s battery in order to work the motor that operates the pulling system. They then have a clevis hook attached to the end of the wire rope that can be easily and securely attached to the deer sled.

You simply then use a remote control in order to release or wind in the steel wire, so that it can be attached to the deer sled and pull it (deer carcass included) back to your vehicle efficiently while you follow along - it works out as a breeze for you!

Is a Deer Drag Sled Better than the Alternatives?

What are the Alternatives?

Deer Drag Cart

Unlike a sled that uses runners to navigate terrain, a deer drag cart has wheels and a handle. They can come in various designs, with some featuring two wheels while others feature four, and some consisting simply of a metal frame while others have a fabric lining.

The great thing about deer carts is that their wheels make deer much easier to transport. Of course, you’d still need to use your strength to pull the cart along and the weight of the deer will still be felt, yet this will put a lot less strain on your body since the wheels allow for smooth movement as opposed to dragging. The handle will also sit at waist height, which is a lot more convenient and comfortable to hold on to.

Another useful thing about the wheels is that their sturdiness makes it easier to cover various types of terrain that may otherwise prove to be obstacles. However, at the same time this means deer carts aren’t suitable for other types of terrain. For example, in an area that is highly rocky or in snow, the wheels would cause you more hassle than they would help.

The other consideration that needs to be made with deer carts is their size. Though some can be folded down, not all can - which can make them a hassle to fit in your vehicle considering that they’re rather large, unless you unassemble and reassemble them, which also isn’t ideal.

Deer Drag Bag

Deer drag bags are one of the more traditional ways to drag a deer. This is a large type of bag or tarp that encloses the deer carcass, with handles or straps on one end that are then used to drag it back to your vehicle.

The good thing about drag bags is that by covering the deer they protect it from contamination and damage whilst you’re dragging it. They are often made of a sturdy yet smooth material, too, which makes it a lot easier to slide across the ground.

On the downside, using a drag bag requires a lot of effort on your part; although the material of drag bags makes them easier to slide across the ground, the shape of the deer inside will still prove tricky and awkward to drag across certain terrain and there is nothing to help spread the load of weight that you’re dragging.

Furthermore, on rocky ground or across fields that are full of flint and other sharp objects, there is also the potential for the bag to snag.

Deer Drag Handle

The most basic method of dragging a deer is to use a deer drag handle. As the name suggests, this is simply a piece of harness that loops around the neck or antlers of your deer carcass with a handle on the end that you use to drag it along behind you.

This is the least efficient type of deer drag. Firstly, it makes the most work for you, since you are lugging the full weight of the deer along with no form of assistance. Not only that, but this method of dragging is also the worst when it comes to preserving the carcass.

Since there is no form of protection, as you drag the deer along the ground the friction and any sharp materials or rough terrain can destroy the hide, which then exposes the meat to dirt and other contaminants.

Why the Sled Comes Out on Top

Though each of the aforementioned drag methods have their advantages (some more than others), ultimately, the drag sled comes out on top.

Though the drag handle and the drag bag are easily transportable and the most affordable options, they are not worth the intensive labour that they require, nor the risk of damaging your deer carcass(es). In comparison, the drag sled keeps the deer you catch protected during the journey back, whilst its design bears the weight of the load better and allows for easy dragging.

As for the drag cart, the two are relatively on par in terms of convenience. Although, where a cart may struggle across certain terrains (such as snow and rocks), the sled is much more manageable at navigating these without causing you issues. On top of that, a sled is a lot easier to keep in your vehicle than a cart and can also be carried over your shoulder whilst stalking, so is much easier, quieter and more discreet to have with you.

Let’s not forget, either, that a winch system can also be used in conjunction with a sled to make the dragging process even easier.

Essential Deer Stalking Equipment

If you’re looking for success in your deer stalking endeavours, then you need Animal Transit Boxes. We supply all the essential deer stalking equipment you need, including deer recovery drag sleds, gralloch stands, quad bike sleds, winch systems and full vehicle deer stalking kit outs.

Alongside our deer stalking equipment, we also specialise in animal transit boxes, including SUV dog boxes, terrier boxes and more.



For more information about our products and services, or to enquire about the tailored solutions we offer, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.