Getting to Deer hunting area not so quietly

[Sam Menard]

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.

[CDN008]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

[punkrockerpj]

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

[punkrockerpj]

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...

[oaknut]

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

[canadaman30]

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

[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.

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.

[walkinandsittin]

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.

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.

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.

[canadaman30]

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.

[Fox]

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.