What size do you use? Looks like there are several brands available, and the Eagle Claw Jet Sled comes in 3 different sizes. Deer hunting only
Sled users
- Thread starter EastTNHunter
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I have jet sled in the xl version. Love it. Actually wouldn't mind to have another.
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
I use a few different sleds, each has their place. I boat in to a lot of places to deer hunt. I don't have room in the boat for a bulky sled. So I bring the deer sleighr sled. You kinda sew them up in it and it's cheap enough and compact to have a few around in case you need it.
I found a jet sled 1 in camo at academy and picked it up. it is plenty for 1 deer. I also can fold down 1 of the backseats of my corolla and put a deer in it when I need to save gas money. I have no worries about throwing a deer in a vehicle while it's inside that jet sled. a friend who bought the jet sled XL but it's too big for my liking. It's overkill for what I'd need.
I also went ahead and put the expensive runners on the bottom. If you buy a jet sled adding the plastic runners on the bottom is a must to protect it and have no fear of using like it's intended to be used.
I take the kids sledding in it. I drag deer in it. I use it to move leaves from my front yard to my garden in the back yard. It's handy in many ways. It's an expensive sled but it gets used a lot too.
I found a jet sled 1 in camo at academy and picked it up. it is plenty for 1 deer. I also can fold down 1 of the backseats of my corolla and put a deer in it when I need to save gas money. I have no worries about throwing a deer in a vehicle while it's inside that jet sled. a friend who bought the jet sled XL but it's too big for my liking. It's overkill for what I'd need.
I also went ahead and put the expensive runners on the bottom. If you buy a jet sled adding the plastic runners on the bottom is a must to protect it and have no fear of using like it's intended to be used.
I take the kids sledding in it. I drag deer in it. I use it to move leaves from my front yard to my garden in the back yard. It's handy in many ways. It's an expensive sled but it gets used a lot too.
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
X2 on the Jet Sled. I picked this one up years ago from Sportsman's Guide for $79.99 IIRC. WAY better than dragging the deer on the ground, it's like pulling across ice compared to dragging a deer on the ground. Highly recommend. 
Also this one came with a camo cover with elastic edging to fit tight over the sled. I use it to keep some gear in and covered while the season is going on as well.
Also this one came with a camo cover with elastic edging to fit tight over the sled. I use it to keep some gear in and covered while the season is going on as well.
lawdog
Well-Known Member
They come in handy. Wish I had gotten the camo version instead of black....the deer don't seem to mind though.
Omega
Well-Known Member
I got the medium 54" x 25" x 10" jet sled, perfect size for a WT, but the larger one couldn't hurt. Mine fits perfectly in the bed of my Tacoma, the larger one wouldn't.
I wouldn't recommend rolled up one, I used a Skedco brand for a season, and it was tedious to unroll, then lace the deer into it. I had one slip out the bottom, and they tend to roll due to no flat bottom. YMMV.
I absolutely love mine. It's 54"x25"x10" and been worth it's weight in gold for me. I also bought some handles for it that are for exercising and makes it much easier to pull.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09VGPRVCJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09VGPRVCJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
You're speaking my language in several ways here… I also hunt by boat, and that is what started this question. My back makes it hard for me to drag deer, but the game cart is bulky in the boat and pulling through thickets. I shot a deer yesterday at first light on public land accessed by boat. 45 minutes later dogs came in and didn't want to leave. One actually tried to tear my deer apart. Adjacent landowner (and dog owner) got it off eventually, but I wanted to gut and go. He pulled the whole "don't shoot us!" crap when they came up on me. I can't imagine what would have happened to me if I had been gutting or quartering the deer and had blood on me when the dogs came in. That 150yd drag killed my back and got me thinking about an easier way for my back.
I also have a small car that I hunt out of, but usually use a hitch hauler to keep from getting blood in the vehicle. The sled has my brain churning.
I had no idea about the skids that y'all are talking about. Does someone have a picture of them?
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
hang on i'm gonna take some pics for ya…
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
So when you are sledding with them or dragging with them, you are going to go over asphalt concrete gravel or rocks at some point. Adding these runners on the bottom protects the sled from wearing out faster and also makes them faster while sledding and easier a bit easier to drag. You can order a kit off amazon but even these kits are expensive for what they are. You have to drill into the sled and they come with very nice well designed hardware.
I also added a wooden slat to the front and reinforced it with heavy duty eyebolts. here's what the inside looks like. The nut and bolts are inside the ribs and are out of the way and have never snagged on anything.
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
I like the sled in the corolla too sometimes. It's not a typical deer hunting vehicle. I can park it along a roadside and walk in and 90 percent of the people who pass by it would never guess me deer hunting with it.
I know you are looking at a sled, but I'd highly recommend this:
VEVOR Deer Cart, 500 LBS Capacity Folding Game Cart, Deer Cart Game Hauler with 4 Big Wheels & Ergonomic Handle, Heavy-Duty Game Cart Accessories, Utility Gear Dolly for Hunting Fishing Hiking | VEVOR US https://share.google/kJzZaCDCTj0yqrJ0W
Folds up in a nice, compact form. It's great for carrying gear into places that you have a long haul on a logging road. I almost always debone and pack meat out, but there are times and places I can't. This is my go to in those cases.
VEVOR Deer Cart, 500 LBS Capacity Folding Game Cart, Deer Cart Game Hauler with 4 Big Wheels & Ergonomic Handle, Heavy-Duty Game Cart Accessories, Utility Gear Dolly for Hunting Fishing Hiking | VEVOR US https://share.google/kJzZaCDCTj0yqrJ0W
Folds up in a nice, compact form. It's great for carrying gear into places that you have a long haul on a logging road. I almost always debone and pack meat out, but there are times and places I can't. This is my go to in those cases.
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Appreciate the suggestion, but that's still kinda bulky for the boat or car with limited space. With the sled I can just lay it down and pack stuff in it. Also, the cart catches bad in thickets, whereas the sled ought to glad well since there are no axles or things hanging off the sides
This is all very helpful
I have the small one, it's a game changer for sure!!! If I had it to do over I'd go with the larger one. I use it and a hawk crawler together both are must have
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I got a black one from amazon
Agreed, and still going to be my first option most of the time, but there's a time to drag. Take a look at my second post for the backstory from yesterday
swampbadger
Well-Known Member
They all certainly have their place for me. If it's a difficult walk, then yes pack out is the way. I've done at least one pack out these last 3 seasons. My meat usually ends up with leaves hair and dirt on it.
It's pretty easy to spray it off with a water hose and throw it in a cooler once I get home and be able to worry about it later. however, I inadvertently leave a lot of grind meat when I do gutless method. I know wanton waste isn't the way, so…
If it's a big buck and I can get him out whole, that's my preference. I like to be able to show him off while he is still whole. I also save a lot more meat when I get him hung up in my shop.
I am not a one trick pony. And being able to kill a deer whenever you get the opportunity, no matter how far or deep you are and always have a plan A,B and C makes a difference.
Never a time that dragging is better than quartering and packing for me any ways in these mountains, dogs are of no concern to me thats why i always carry a 10mm
killingtime 41
Well-Known Member
Have seriously thought about a jet sled to have if I can't get the Ranger or 4-wheeler in to get it. Anything to make it easier on my back would be welcome.
whistlinwingman
Well-Known Member
I Have the jet sled 54x25x10. Put the wear bars on it too. I love it. One of the best hunting tools I have.
Ryan you can use the sled to store your gear in while in the boat as well, use it to haul your gear to the stand as well. The sled cover is a good option to have also.
