Getting to Deer hunting area not so quietly

Hi,

I am new to the forum and hunting. Only have had the miserable luck of losing the deer draw for three years now since i started and although i could have bagged a Doe each of my first two years I never so much as seen a buck in person. Meaning I still havent got my first deer.

So this year found a few new spots with my game camera that have bucks around again on crown land. I will rely on finding a spot to sit as i don't have a climber and will rely on wind, scent proofing and natural cover as best i can to keep hidden. I know some will say get a climber or set up a stand but that's going to be a problem for next year unfortunately.

The problem then is this, I don't have any real way to get to these spots silently. One of them is 30min hike into crown land through the forest, with the leaves on the ground its especially tough no matter how slow i go to stay silent. For this one in the past i have tried going 2/3rds there quickly and last 1/3rd slow. In the complete darkness i have taken well over an hour to get there just to stay cool and not end up all sweaty and for silence. The other spots are actually quite close to a road but still in the bush, same problem. For context I am hunting west/north west of Ottawa in dense forests.

So i figure i have a few options, try to stay relatively quite and go slow and take a long time to get there. Or just go quickly, within reason, so still slower than a regular walk the dog speed but just not worry so much about a few broken twigs and crunching leaves so i can get there set up and then wait.

usually when i go with my father its about the same amount of time your saying here.

we usually try and get to our spot right at dawn. enough natural light that you can see where your going but at the same time barley even the crack of dawn. we dont worry to much about leaves and branches snapping. we just take our time walking through the woods and paying attention to what your going to step on.

dont drag your feet at all.

if anything well walk for a couple minutes then stop and look around and keep doing that until we get to our spot. if your with someone else it helps to step int he same spot/ footprint they just stepped in and walk at the same time same pace.

another option is to find a closer spot i guess but you'll never be quiet enough especially in the fall, keep trying youll get one.

im not alot of help i know,
im also a newish hunter, always was around it and went along with my dad all the time, just recently got my licence. just trying to pass along the info ive heard and was taught along the years. im sure others have a lot of advice on this topic as well.

Welcome to the forum,

Everyone and everything makes noise while traversing the woods, normal crunching of leaves isn't overly alarming to any animal. Most times, especially in the dark the deer just move out of the way as we walk in, you won't even know they are there. Once at your spot, quiet time must begin. I have had bucks during the rut show up at first light to me walking in as they want to see who is in their area.

We all wish we could fly on a frosty morning but we all make the same noises.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Deer, when they are up, are constantly on the move. So when you head to your stand you always run the risk you're going to cross paths.

It's a little easier to mitigate the problem for the late afternoon/evening hunts. By going in early and letting the woods quiet down again. Deer aren't as active mid day (bedded down) so if you can try to get to your stand before 2:00 for the Dusk hunt when they are moving. Also if you do bump a deer, then there is a chance they will return a couple hrs later.

Morning hunts are a little ticker, your going to your stand while they are still actively feeding. Especially hard if you hunt the tree lines. Best to find a stand that is on a transition trail between where they bed down and where they are feeding. Get to it as quietly as possible and wait to ambush them as they are heading 'home'.

Trail cams are your best friend for this exact reason, you can in time pattern their behavior and see what their daily routine is and then set up a few hours early.

Good luck it will take time to learn their habits in a bush you have never hunted before.

Your always going to make noise, never be quiet enough and always rack your brain with negative thoughts about how badly u must be screwing everything up. Just get to your stand that will allow a decent amount of time before shooting hours, don’t run and deliberately try to snap, crackle and pop everything in the bush, just slow and steady and you’re fine. You’re never going to be perfect and hell you may bump deer from time to time. But what, there is only one deer in the woods? No! of course not. So relax don’t stress about it. Just get in there and get settled. Enjoy yourself. Life will stress u out enough. Don’t let crunchy leaves while deer hunting be your cherry on top!!

If your solo hunting and can't get an atv to your deer, take the spot closer to a road. Walk the dog speed and don't worry

As Marky mark say's ^^^^^

It's all part of hunting, so embrace it. Welcome to forum and good luck!

As the others have said about noise... don't worry about it.

What I would like to add is don't get yourself down about not being successful yet. Sometimes it takes quite a few seasons for things to work out. I used to hunt in a camp where you would be lucky to even see a deer let alone get a shot at one. As successful as everyone appears to be, even folks who have shot dozens of deer will go through dry spells. You're seeing deer, that means you're doing something right.

Good luck and keep at it.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

If your solo hunting and can't get an atv to your deer, take the spot closer to a road. Walk the dog speed and don't worry

---

Or plan to drag out the deer, no need to have an atv to pull a deer out of the bush. One big doe I shot with the bow, the deer ran down a very steep hill and crossed a creek. Had to wade through the creek then float her back across, gut her then start dragging. Was a little more than 1km from the car, yes car, no truck here to load it into either. Sure it works up a sweat but no reason to have to not hunt a viable spot because you do not have an ATV to drag it out, just plan to drag it out yourself and have the gear to do it.

I find deer far less jumpy when its dark and they are actually far more curious. I have had it a few times where I am treed at dusk and the deer eats in my bait for a bit until I get inpatient. I start tapping my foot on the stand, instead of the deer blowing and snorting and getting the F out of dodge they get all curious and start coming closer to the stand looking up trying to figure me out. I have even started talking to the deer. Same response. I've had them hang around until I start to climb down, then they bound about 50 yards, watch me climb down and come back to the bait when the coast is clear. This NEVER happens in broad daylight lol, the deer would carry on like they just saw a ghost. Twice at one of my spots I had gone in well before daylight, climbed the tree, I'm in the midst of making noise and getting myself situated for silence and I glance down to see multiple deer within 20 yards of the stand . . . I haven't been in the stand 3 minutes how did this happen? lol I have no scientific evidence but I think they can't see as well at night or something, or they cant skyline you as easily. Not really sure.

My advice would be to not drag your feet and to trim any branches along your walk that results in them dragging across you cloths. Just try and eliminate unnatural sounds.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fox

Or plan to drag out the deer, no need to have an atv to pull a deer out of the bush. One big doe I shot with the bow, the deer ran down a very steep hill and crossed a creek. Had to wade through the creek then float her back across, gut her then start dragging. Was a little more than 1km from the car, yes car, no truck here to load it into either. Sure it works up a sweat but no reason to have to not hunt a viable spot because you do not have an ATV to drag it out, just plan to drag it out yourself and have the gear to do it.

---

Drag a 200+-pd buck 1 km through forest by yourself, good luck have fun

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

Drag a 200+-pd buck 1 km through forest by yourself, good luck have fun

---

And we are off to the races! lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

Drag a 200+-pd buck 1 km through forest by yourself, good luck have fun

---

Good for you, would rather drag a deer than shoot from an ATV trail.

Done it before, will do it again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fox

Good for you, would rather drag a deer than shoot from an ATV trail.

Done it before, will do it again.

---

So you can drag a 200+ pound dead animal 1km through forest by yourself..lol that hillarious, thanks for the laugh Fox :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

So you can drag a 200+ pound dead animal 1km through forest by yourself..lol that hillarious, thanks for the laugh Fox :)

---

If I needed an atv and a pickup I would not ever be able to hunt, I walk and a I drag. The doe weighed about 160lbs dressed, a big doe. I would have no problem dragging a 200lb deer 1km, it would take a while but no I would not have a problem doing it.

I wonder how hunters brought deer out of the bush before ATVs, must never have shot one before ATVs existed.

FYI, a 160lb doe fits nicely in the back of a 2010 Toyota Matrix, saw a 180lb buck in the back of a Corolla as well, and that guy did not have an ATV with him either, he hunts solo.

Still laughing Fox, cheers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fox

I wonder how hunters brought deer out of the bush before ATVs, must never have shot one before ATVs existed.
.

---

Cut it quarters or in manageable pieces, or hunt in groups.....

toddy is correct and haven't heard anyone else make the same comment. Just walk in try to be as quiet as possible, avoid stepping on sticks and don't rub up against stuff to make noise. The deer will come back or their will be other deer come along. Get to your spot at least 1/2 early for AM hunts, be real quiet then.

For dragging out a big deer, been there done that and for a lot more than a couple km. That is a young mans job, most wouldn't want to do it but just take your time and enjoy the fact you got a nice deer. I'm old and crippled now so I hunt areas that I can get a quad to, which is most places anyway.

I'm not sure I'd have it in me, but the Benoits would drag 200+ pound bucks out by themselves. Much farther than 1 km.

Pretty good books for anyone who has never read them.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

Cut it quarters or in manageable pieces, or hunt in groups.....

---

An adult deer is manageable, told the sales guy at Toyota that if you cannot put a deer in the back there is no point in owning it, sucked to clean the blood out of the door though.

Sorry, don't have $50K kicking around for a truck but going to pickup 200lb of feed on my way home for the farm and getting stray for bedding next week, all with my hatch back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GW11

I'm not sure I'd have it in me, but the Benoits would drag 200+ pound bucks out by themselves. Much farther than 1 km.

Pretty good books for anyone who has never read them.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

---

The only way dad and the guys took deer out of the bush from 76 until 1999 when the first ATV was bought. Even after that you cannot get to them all the time with an ATV so we still dragged a pile out on our own.

The key is the proper support and take your time, go slow. I have a harness that attaches to my back and then ties on to the deer, keep the front legs tied up so they do not get caught up. A yearling is a joke, a doe is not bad as they slide around the trees, bucks are tougher as the antlers get caught on the trees. Yes, a big animal is tough but I have never considered splitting up a buck for a walk out anywhere that I have hunted in the past, not yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fox

An adult deer is manageable,

---

Yes for sure, a big swollen neck heavy bodied Whitetail buck can just be thrown over the shoulder for the first half a km or so.....lmao:o

Not liking that I'm pushed into agreeing with Fox, but dragging a buck out used to be a sort of a normal thing. If you shot a buck, you dragged it out. If you *really* needed help dragging it out, you'd get someone to help you. I don't know of anyone who limited their hunting area based on not wanting a long drag, not do I know of anyone who cut up a deer to get it out. Dragging a buck is (or used to be) part of deer hunting. I've only dragged a couple of bucks myself as I usually hunt with a gang - but one was about 160 and it was a couple of km. The other was 225+ and it was a couple of hundred yards. Also dragged out a few calf moose. Getting older, and not as strong as I used to be - but if the monster buck is hanging out 2k from the nearest road - that's where I'd hunt. And if I got him, well - I'd deal with the dragging out problem then.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

Yes for sure, a big swollen neck heavy bodied Whitetail buck can just be thrown over the shoulder for the first half a km or so.....lmao:o

---

There are tools for the job.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/3009?...SABEgLCdPD_BwE

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by werner.reiche

Not liking that I'm pushed into agreeing with Fox, but dragging a buck out used to be a sort of a normal thing. If you shot a buck, you dragged it out. If you *really* needed help dragging it out, you'd get someone to help you. I don't know of anyone who limited their hunting area based on not wanting a long drag, not do I know of anyone who cut up a deer to get it out. Dragging a buck is (or used to be) part of deer hunting. I've only dragged a couple of bucks myself as I usually hunt with a gang - but one was about 160 and it was a couple of km. The other was 225+ and it was a couple of hundred yards. Also dragged out a few calf moose. Getting older, and not as strong as I used to be - but if the monster buck is hanging out 2k from the nearest road - that's where I'd hunt. And if I got him, well - I'd deal with the dragging out problem then.

---

It is the way that most did it.

We have video though of a cart that my grandpa made back in the early 50s, used bicycle wheels in the center, he had a Super 8 camera and has film of them taking a couple deer out of the cart, too bad he did not patent that cart, ha ha.

Ice fishing sleds work great once things get wet or there is snow on the ground, a 250lb animal in a sled like that is no big deal at all.

my dads been hunting since he was like 16, hes around 45 now. we just got an atv this year. always dragged out deer by hand through the bush. this will be the first time we have anything to haul it out. his words were "im to old for that now unless you(me his son) wants to drag out all the deer we get

so of course i agreed, ATV it is.

LOL

One guy dragging 225pds a km or so through Ontario woods with any kind of terrain is laughable

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

One guy dragging 225pds a km or so through Ontario woods with any kind of terrain is laughable

---

I remeber a guy on here that tried to tell us he stopped at the side of a road and loaded a 220 lb 'road kill' buck on to the truck himself....HaHa...

I have dragged heavy deer, always used a rope around the rack or neck and tied it to my waist. Not a huge effort, especially back in the day when we almost always had snow down for hunting.

Buy yourself an Otter Sled....make your life easier.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikePal

I remeber a guy on here that tried to tell us he stopped at the side of a road and loaded a 220 lb 'road kill' buck on to the truck himself....HaHa...

I have dragged heavy deer, always used a rope around the rack or neck and tied it to my waist. Not a huge effort, especially back in the day when we almost always had snow down for hunting.

Buy yourself an Otter Sled....make your life easier.

---

If you cant carry 225pounds easily for 100yds, how could you possible pull that much weight across rough, soft, uneven terrain for a km, or 2? As the OP stated, it's a 30min hike on his own so maybe 2 or more km. So he gets back there, shoots a trophy size animal and then screwed if he's on his own. I only stated if he's new and solo hunting why would he want to put himself in that predicament.

Cut an 18" by 2" piece of sapling, tie a rope around the sapling, then bind the legs and head together on the other end (buck or doe). Leave enough rope between your handle and the deer so that when you grip the handle at a comfortable height with both hands behind your back, you lift the head and shoulders of the deer off the ground. Start walking. It goes much easier if the head and shoulders aren't dragging. It's still hard enough work to do, but makes a solo drag manageable. The bigger the deer, the slower you go and more breaks you take.

We're way off topic now.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

To the OP-just do it.Watch not to get lost,and do "not sweat "some natural noise.

A couple of suggestions to getting to your stand quietly: get to your stand at least an hour before sunrise. Also, clear the trail as best as you can by removing sticks and twigs. You can also try taking the trail particularly the section closest to the stand.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

If you cant carry 225pounds easily for 100yds, how could you possible pull that much weight across rough, soft, uneven terrain for a km, or 2? As the OP stated, it's a 30min hike on his own so maybe 2 or more km. So he gets back there, shoots a trophy size animal and then screwed if he's on his own. I only stated if he's new and solo hunting why would he want to put himself in that predicament.

---

last years buck was likely 230 lbs. i shot him, dragged him a good few hundred yards, wanted to puke and then had to get my neighbour with his tractor.
it can be done, but it really sucks!
im actually hoping for a smaller doe on my solo hunts for that reason :P

CDN, as others have said, dont worry too much about them hearing you walk. worry about them smelling you. they will forget the footsteps in an hour. they smell you and dont forget that...

Sitting here chuckling about some of the above comments but even with the rubbish being spewed a good point has been made. If you can't manage to drag the weight of don't have the knowledge to deal with a packing out situation it's best to hunt closer to a travel route or have a buddy that will help. It would be a shame to see your first deer go to spoil.

I hunt rather remote myself and a kilometer is not out of the ordinary. I have found my comfortable way of doing it now and have no issues with the dragging/loading process.

If you can do it, more power to you. The further away from the less eager hunters you can get the better.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by punkrockerpj

last years buck was likely 230 lbs. i shot him, dragged him a good few hundred yards, wanted to puke and then had to get my neighbour with his tractor.
it can be done, but it really sucks!
im actually hoping for a smaller doe on my solo hunts for that reason :P

---

A couple hundred yards is one thing. Add some hill, soft wet ground or rocks, etc. and try for a km or 2 or a mile or 2...lol

When I was 20,I had no issue with dragging Deer to the road usually a KM away....max. Any further than that and it got quartered,bagged and strapped to a back pack even if it meant a couple of trips. Fast forward (?) 50 years and there's no way I'm looking for a heart attack. I'm looking for and will greatfully accept whatever help I can get.:moose:

BTW,to the OP,welcome to the forum. If you want to really quiet down while walking in the bush,cut a stout walking stick about 5' long. Drill a hole for a lace or wrist strap through the handle. You'll be amazed at how much difference an added balance point can make to steady your walk not to mention the added safety factor against falling and to use as a rifle rest when nothing else is available to steady a shot (tricks I learned from the gray beards many moon ago). To soon old,too late smart.:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by trimmer21

When I was 20,I had no issue with dragging Deer to the road usually a KM away....max. Any further than that and it got quartered,bagged and strapped to a back pack even if it meant a couple of trips. Fast forward (?) 50 years and there's no way I'm looking for a heart attack. I'm looking for and will greatfully accept whatever help I can get.:moose:

BTW,to the OP,welcome to the forum. If you want to really quiet down while walking in the bush,cut a stout walking stick about 5' long. Drill a hole for a lace or wrist strap through the handle. You'll be amazed at how much difference an added balance point can make to steady your walk not to mention the added safety factor against falling and to use as a rifle rest when nothing else is available to steady a shot (tricks I learned from the gray beards many moon ago). To soon old,too late smart.:D

---

I agree with Fox. I'm 50 and I've carried all my deer out in one go all by myself no ATV. Sometimes it's pretty slow and mostly sucks, but it can be done. I haven't had to carry a big buck yet - only does. I only have a buck tag this year so will see what happens. My plan if it's too big (expecting to get skunked to be honest) is to make two trips.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by walkinandsittin

I agree with Fox. I'm 50 and I've carried all my deer out in one go all by myself no ATV. Sometimes it's pretty slow and mostly sucks, but it can be done. I haven't had to carry a big buck yet - only does. I only have a buck tag this year so will see what happens. My plan if it's too big (expecting to get skunked to be honest) is to make two trips.

---

Shoot a monster buck and a doe looks like a youngster. Even a average buck is much smaller then a big buck. A monster buck that's pushing close to 300lb live weight is not like dragging an average deer. I've dragged my fair share of normal sized deer by myself, not fun but got it done. The 3 monster bucks I have taken were all 2 person drags or to where the tractor could get to. Just like people there is a big difference standing beside an average 195lb person, a 300lb person is a helluva lot bigger.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

Shoot a monster buck and a doe looks like a youngster. Even a average buck is much smaller then a big buck. A monster buck that's pushing close to 300lb live weight is not like dragging an average deer. I've dragged my fair share of normal sized deer by myself, not fun but got it done. The 3 monster bucks I have taken were all 2 person drags or to where the tractor could get to. Just like people there is a big difference standing beside an average 195lb person, a 300lb person is a helluva lot bigger.

---

It is ok, you are better than everyone else, that is fine.

The rest of us will deal with our deer as we get them and with the tools at our disposal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fox

It is ok, you are better than everyone else, that is fine.

The rest of us will deal with our deer as we get them and with the tools at our disposal.

---

According to you I'm the weakest one that cant drag shyte? Your advice to a new hunter to trek a 30min hike possibly 2km based on time or better alone to hunt and deal with a possibly large animal retrieval alone, is not so great advice imo. I'm only giving the OP honest opinion from experience.

I shot a whopper deer about 10 years ago that was 308lbs (before I dressed it) when I weighed it on a scale. Thank God I dropped it in the bush edge of a field where I could drive near to it with the truck and trailer. I'm 215lbs, in pretty good shape, and it literally took everything I had to drag that deer 40yds and up the trailer ramp. I remember tasting blood, almost puking, then feeling something go "pop" down in my work pants. I immediately felt a searing stab of pain. I had pulled so hard I actually gave myself a thrombosed external hemmorhoid the size of a grape! Dam lucky I didn't prolapse and bleed out in the field. My wife laughed so hard she almost pissed herself. Don't laugh boys, I had to see the "Ring Doctor" in emerg the following day to get the SOB cut out with a scalpel, I don't wish that agony on any man. Be careful what and how you drag dead stuff!..........and that's about all I'm gonna say about that!

Dragging a 200 pound deer if your young shouldn't be a problem, Done it when I was younger. I'm not sure why some people think it' so hard. 30 years ago very few had ATC's and 4WD for many was an extreme luxury. If I was under 30 and couldn't pull a 200 pound deer I would be ashamed. Can I do it now of course not I'm supposedly 50, but I know me and my hunting partner could quite easily and were 50 and 56.

I got a small Doe last night and drag it approx 500 meters last night and managed to get it into the back of the truck we weighed it 120. I was exhausted when I finally got it into the truck. 20 years ago I could have thrown it on my back. So 200 pounds to pull out for a young person should not be a big issue. You could also use a sled. Now if I had gotten the 8 point that was on the camera I probably could not drag that myself anymore. But my friends know where I am and help would not have been far.

i was hunting with friends this past week. i really wish we got a deer then. now i'm hunting solo and prefer to shoot a 120 lb doe rather than 200 pound buck...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

One guy dragging 225pds a km or so through Ontario woods with any kind of terrain is laughable

---

Yeah,you've caught me between a rock and a hard place,too,understanding what you mean and knowing it's a tough haul,but,I gotta tell ya,I've done a lot more dragging by myself than hauling with an ATV. There's a few tricks I learned that makes it a lot easier,like dragging a Deer by tying up it's rear legs to close the body cavity protecting from dirt and leaves and dragging backwards so antlers don't hang up and dragging along wet forest floors so they come out like they're greased. Now,that was a long time ago when I was young and tough. Now,I'm just tough,so,rather than drag,quartering and back packing is a hell of a lot more comfortable,but,I use my ATV every chance I get.

Besides the fact I probably might not get back out for deer maybe go Saturday night, that's part of the reason I took it. I might have been able to drag a 150 pound but it would have taken awhile, 200 pound no. If no sled a rope will help drag it you sometimes you will have to drag it over logs maybe, I would drag it out first and than clean it. I think I will load the ATV if my buddy gets the buck we saw.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by punkrockerpj

i was hunting with friends this past week. i really wish we got a deer then. now i'm hunting solo and prefer to shoot a 120 lb doe rather than 200 pound buck...

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fenelon

I shot a whopper deer about 10 years ago that was 308lbs (before I dressed it) when I weighed it on a scale. Thank God I dropped it in the bush edge of a field where I could drive near to it with the truck and trailer. I'm 215lbs, in pretty good shape, and it literally took everything I had to drag that deer 40yds and up the trailer ramp. I remember tasting blood, almost puking, then feeling something go "pop" down in my work pants. I immediately felt a searing stab of pain. I had pulled so hard I actually gave myself a thrombosed external hemmorhoid the size of a grape! Dam lucky I didn't prolapse and bleed out in the field. My wife laughed so hard she almost pissed herself. Don't laugh boys, I had to see the "Ring Doctor" in emerg the following day to get the SOB cut out with a scalpel, I don't wish that agony on any man. Be careful what and how you drag dead stuff!..........and that's about all I'm gonna say about that!

---

So what your saying is a km or so would not be a problem when you shoot a monster buck by yourself....lol.

I'm guessing you have never done much labour work have you.?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

So what your saying is a km or so would not be a problem when you shoot a monster buck by yourself....lol.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

I'm guessing you have never done much labour work have you.?

---

Your asking, actually I've been going to the gym for the past 25+years. Shoulder pressing 250 and benching 365 is achieved from years off hard work. Compete and win in the competitive bodybuilding stream and you will learn fast what hard labour heavy work is all about. I've dragged many deer out of the woods, a few monster deer are not of average size and weight and sure don't drag as easy as an average deer. Read Fenelons post #42, he speaks truth about what it's like to deal with a monster buck on your own.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by trimmer21

,but,I use my ATV every chance I get.

---

I use my 30 something year old neighbour every chance I get. Saves on the heart attack issue?

Well you seem to think nobody can drag a deer out on their own.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

Your asking, actually I've been going to the gym for the past 25+years. Shoulder pressing 250 and benching 365 is achieved from years off hard work. Compete and win in the competitive bodybuilding stream and you will learn fast what hard labour heavy work is all about. I've dragged many deer out of the woods, a few monster deer are not of average size and weight and sure don't drag as easy as an average deer. Read Fenelons post #42, he speaks truth about what it's like to deal with a monster buck on your own.

---

I didn't realize that we had soo many tough , macho guys on this forum, guy's that just drag all these deer out long distances all by themselves.
Just ask around and you would be surprised at the number of these macho tough guys that wind up with hernias and heart attacks trying to prove and show off how tough they are .

I am not just talking " hearsay " as a firefighter, first responder , I have been to calls where I / we actually saw what happened as we usually arrived first at the scene under a mutual aid agreement with the townships that surrounded our city.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jaycee

I didn't realize that we had soo many tough , macho guys on this forum, guy's that just drag all these deer out long distances all by themselves.

---

I heard you were talking about me Jaycee...... :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bushmoose

I use my 30 something year old neighbour every chance I get. Saves on the heart attack issue?

---

or neighbours with tractors. man i love neighbours with tractors! :P

Never said I can still do it it anymore I'm 50 now. But when I was young I could yes lift and drag a lot of weight. I still keep somewhat fit cutting trees in the bush, but when I was very young I worked in the bush and use to lobster fish tossing 100 pound traps like they were nothing and I'm not a big guy. My captain held a thousand pound trawl while I got untangle saving my life and yeah he could drag a 200 pound deer like it was filled with helium.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jaycee

I didn't realize that we had soo many tough , macho guys on this forum, guy's that just drag all these deer out long distances all by themselves.
Just ask around and you would be surprised at the number of these macho tough guys that wind up with hernias and heart attacks trying to prove and show off how tough they are .

I am not just talking " hearsay " as a firefighter, first responder , I have been to calls where I / we actually saw what happened as we usually arrived first at the scene under a mutual aid agreement with the townships that surrounded our city.

---

I think most of us could drag a really big deer when we were in our teens and twenties. I know I have dragged big deer for several miles as I liked hunting away from people. It would take me up to 6 hours, but you shot it you had to get it out. Now I have a hard time dragging a good deer 20yds, but I'm also 40 years older. I wouldn't even thing to hunt the areas I used to, because I couldn't get the quad in if I shot something.

I don’t drag too far anymore, but I do half or quarter my game and make more trips....nowadays!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

Never said I can still do it it anymore I'm 50 now. But when I was young I could yes lift and drag a lot of weight. I still keep somewhat fit cutting trees in the bush, but when I was very young I worked in the bush and use to lobster fish tossing 100 pound traps like they were nothing and I'm not a big guy. My captain held a thousand pound trawl while I got untangle saving my life and yeah he could drag a 200 pound deer like it was filled with helium.

---

A quick Google search on lobster trap weight is 45-60lbs..lmao The world record dead lift that was just achieved in the past year or so was just barely over 1000lbs by a 400lb beast considered the world's strongest man, and of course your boss can hold that much weight no problem..lmfao. I guess that explains how you can drag a monster buck no problem a km or 2....bahahaha

One way to settle this.

When I shoot my big buck(in the next month n a half) you guys can come drag it out for me. I know I couldn't drag a big buck, by myself, Threw the hills and ravines I hunt in. Took 3 of us last week almost an hour to drag this buck just to the bike that was maybe 200 yards away. We are all farmers/construction guys under 40 lol


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ca613411f2.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

The Anchor traps weigh when made of wood between 75 and 85 add Lobsters over 100 LOL. How long did you lobster fish for in NS LOL, do you know what a trawl is?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by canadaman30

A quick Google search on lobster trap weight is 45-60lbs..lmao The world record dead lift that was just achieved in the past year or so was just barely over 1000lbs by a 400lb beast considered the world's strongest man, and of course your boss can hold that much weight no problem..lmfao. I guess that explains how you can drag a monster buck no problem a km or 2....bahahaha

---

yep. the old advice of "if you hunt public land go deep... real deep into the woods". my first sighting when hunting was 5 km into a public tract. if we did manage to take the deer, I could only imagine how far in over our heads we would be.
age and experience... i tell ya...

I’ve heard two pieces of advice. One is get in at least 20 min before hunting time. The idea is once you haven’t made noise for 20-30 min the deer have forgotten about you.

The other one, which may work better in the day when you have time and are trying to slip in or move stands is to “walk like a deer”. Take 4 or 5 steps then stop and look around. I’ve even heard of doing a two step. You walk by taking two smaller steps with each foot, step-step step-step, step-step, step-step. Pause and look. Repeat.

In your case leave the truck about 2 hours before sunrise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't worry much about noise or even scent. Obviously I don't put on cologne or intentionally make noise at my watch, but other than that, I don't worry about it much.

We shot a deer this year. We were gutting it using the lights from a truck. We were also standing around talking. Less than 100 yards away, another deer was eating some apples, not paying much attention to us. In my experience, deer aren't quite as scared of us as we think.

Now if I was bow hunting, I'd worry more as you need them to get nice and close, but for rifle, I don't worry about making noise going to my watch, I'm not overly worried about scent nor do I worry about making small amounts of noise while on my watch. Has worked for me so far

They are verg curious but it dosent take much to make them suspicious that being said....regular walking noise and nothing too loud most times wint ruin your hunt

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bear13

They are verg curious but it dosent take much to make them suspicious that being said....regular walking noise and nothing too loud most times wint ruin your hunt

---

Walking to my stand across frozen leaves in the hardwoods has landed me a few nice bucks. 3-4 mins after climbing in my stand 8ft up, they have come as close as 10ft from my tree looking for the intruder.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rob Stewart

The other one, which may work better in the day when you have time and are trying to slip in or move stands is to “walk like a deer”. Take 4 or 5 steps then stop and look around. I’ve even heard of doing a two step. You walk by taking two smaller steps with each foot, step-step step-step, step-step, step-step. Pause and look. Repeat.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

This ^

I've been listening to the bigwoods bucks podcasts since my season ended. These guys hunt Maine/New Hampshire/Ontario but track all their deer (like the Benoits). And that's what they do, unless they are trying to make time on a buck that they figure is still out a ways. Then they just go...

On dragging big deer... my biggest buck woulda been about the size of Fenelon's. I field dressed it myself, dragged it myself (not far). But could not get it in the boat. Just too much dead weight. Terrain will dictate a lot. Up here if you hike in over 500yds and drop anything over 200, you're gonna be in for a hell of a time. Ridges, moss covered granite (worse than ice when it's wet), blow-downs, overgrown, intertangled patches of bush not intended for human intrusion... all those things aside any grade in the terrain going up is gonna make the drag a helluva lot harder. Take the shot late in the afternoon and now you're working in the dark. Being fit/young/strong/on drugs whatever ain't gonna mean chit if you aren't used to travelling in the bush, because nothing quite prepares the legs for traversing in the bush except just that. All things to consider.

I hiked into a pond I used to hunt once. Even had a bit of a trail cut through the thicker sections. It was a 40min hike. I jumped a flock of geese that were tucked back in there and dumped 3. The walk out on tired legs carrying an extra 25lbs was not fun.

Couple weeks back I walked in to my ground blind, snow on the ground, but crunchy. Put chair out, blow nose, look up and there is a big buck 20yds out watching me. He walked around me watching me trying to figure out what I was. He even decided to walk towards me. He didn't spook until he was 10yd away down wind. I think if they don't smell you, you are probably good. I definitely made lots of noise.