We use what is known as ( Mule Tape ) for getting dead animals to the vehicle.
Mind you now, were not moving about while hunting, we set up where we can glass hillsides, and we shoot from the same spot we glass from.
Mule tape is as the name implies a nylon tape about 1/2" wide but very strong.
Ours is 1800 # breaking strength, and it is also available in stronger sizes.
Primarily, it is used for pulling cable and wire thru underground conduit, by cable and utility companies.
Best to also have a nylon strap and a pulley for attaching to the strap.
You need that attached to a tree say next to a road, then the Mule tape run thru the pulley, and not just around the tree.
The friction will cause the tape to break without the pulley.
Of coarse for a direct or straight pull, the pulley isnt necessary.
We have pulled 2 deer at a time up a steep hillside using the Mule tape.
And thats also what we used to pull my bear up to a dirt road.
We just wrap the tape around the bumper and drive the vehicle
forward maybe 100 feet or so, then back up and do it again till we have it on the road. We leave a long tag end at the animal end, and the guy guiding the animal along gets drug uphill as well. We use radios to keep things under control.
Actually, its best to drag a deer by the back legs as opposed to using its neck.
How i got my tape? lol
First off, i knew people who were using it before we were.
And i knew how they got theirs.
But one day driving down a road here in Florida about 20 years ago, i spotted some workers pulling wires thru an underground conduit.
So i made a U turn and went back.
I asked one of them about getting some of the tape, and he asked what i wanted it for.
I told him dragging dead animals up steep hillsides.
He just laughed, and told me he was an Elk hunter.
He then got up into the truck and got a whole brand new roll and gave it to me.
And were still using it, knots and all where we broke it on rocks.
About a year ago i got some more the same way, but this guy only gave me a about 100 yards.
But enough to lengthen what we have due to loss by breakage.
We keep it on a garden hose reel, and when the guy goes down the hill to retrieve the animal he just pulls the end of it along with him. Just like a fishing reel in free spool.
