Best way to get deer into pickup bed

Last weekend got a deer, 120ish, but couldn't get into bed. Got a little worried, then flagged a fellow hunter down to help. The way I was parked, it was a 3 feet lift. What is the best way, you found to get the deer up. I seen online, tow hitch hoist thing, seen some long handle method, seen a ramp method. My bed is short bed 5 1/2.

I carry a set of ramps for loading the ATV. I just walk them up it.

Now days, if I don't just leave them on my ATV as I drive it into the back of my truck, I just pull them up my ATV ramp after loading my ATV.

In years past, when I was younger I might add, I would get the rack up on the tail gate, hold it there as I climbed into the bed of the truck, and lift/pull it in, mostly lifting with my legs.

A hitch hauler on the back makes the job a cinch.

I've got head/rack on tailgate and tied off with strap and got the back legs and swung onto tailgate and then push in. Anyway you go at it, it's not easy.

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My old S-10 will let the tailgate down a little extra disconnecting the the cable's that help support it. Out in the woods I use a come along to hoist it up and back under the deer.

Grab the antlers step up into bed stand up and pull up while walking backwards.


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huntinkev":1ybvlx87 said:

I've got head/rack on tailgate and tied off with strap and got the back legs and swung onto tailgate and then push in. Anyway you go at it, it's not easy.



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X2

With larger deer or a higher tailgate I will use a set of blocks, just hoist them up so at least there ribs are bed height then dog off the running end of the rope. Drop tailgate and just back under the deer, what's lower than the tailgate will slide in as you continue to back up. Then just untie the rope and your done. Can be a problem finding a decent limb that you are able to back under when in a field though. I carry mine in the truck all the time.

https://www.homelectrical.com/38-block- ... 502.1.html

I use a deer cart and set one end of the cart on the tailgate then go to other end pickup like a lever and push until tires hit then pick up higher and roll into bed.

I normally have ATV ramps but have also used a cheap come-along. I prefer to use a gambrel to dress the deer out and if I'm smart in hanging that thing, I just lower the animal into the bed. I'm older now too!

I rigged a cheap winch to a 4x4 with remote in the very back of my truck. It's a breeze. Another cheap easy way is take a folding ladder and put them on that while one end is on the tailgate lift other end up and slide in.

I use an 18 year old son

Slide mine off 4 wheeler onto tail gate. Works wonderful....

2x12 and slide deer up into bed ?? Or plywood maybe

Tennessee Lead":vqr38jp2 said:

Grab the antlers step up into bed stand up and pull up while walking backwards.


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Grab it and growl!


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Thanks for tips... I was trying to lift deer from road, couldn't head/neck up. Next year, I'm getting a hitch hoist because I would use this for skinning later on.

I got one of these a couple of years ago after a couple of hernias from loading big midwestern deer: https://vikingsl.com/portfolio/l-e-vator/

It is light, portable, and really works well. It has been worth every penny I paid for it.

scn":3rtymbvx said:

I got one of these a couple of years ago after a couple of hernias from loading big midwestern deer: https://vikingsl.com/portfolio/l-e-vator/

It is light, portable, and really works well. It has been worth every penny I paid for it.

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That's pretty cool, never seen that before!

FTG-05":2ozr5o4f said:

scn":2ozr5o4f said:

I got one of these a couple of years ago after a couple of hernias from loading big midwestern deer: https://vikingsl.com/portfolio/l-e-vator/

It is light, portable, and really works well. It has been worth every penny I paid for it.

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That's pretty cool, never seen that before!

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It is one of those pieces of equipment that if it got gone that I would immediately replace. I did the grab it and growl routine for a number of years. I'm sure loading deer was a factor in some back issues and the hernias that I had to get repaired this summer. IMO, the $120 cost for the l-e-vator is cheap compared to back issues. I've used it to load a big IL buck on the back of my 4-wheeler, and have loaded several deer into pickup trucks with it. It is quick to set up, and is easy to crank them up to ATV or tailgate level. It folds pretty flat, and doesn't take up much room in the back of the truck. HIGHLY recommend!