Game Drags: Pull game out of thick cover with far less effort
With a game drag you pull your animal to the track with far less effort. It weighs next to nothing and fits into any jacket pocket.
Game Drags: Less effort, better grip when pulling
The animal lies in thick cover, and the nearest track is a hundred metres away. This is when you see how useful a game drag is. Instead of grabbing the game by its legs, you put a loop around the head or legs and pull using a handle or strap. That spreads the load better and spares your hands and back. You can choose from different deer drags and models for other game, such as Buck, Stag, Mufflon, Hog, Big Five, XL and Dreizug.
The right game drag for your game
Model names such as Buck, Stag, Hog or Mufflon already show which game they are designed for. For roe deer, a light, compact game drag that always lives in your rucksack is usually enough. For boar, red deer or fallow deer, a sturdier model with a wide strap is worthwhile, as it sits well in your hand even with heavy weights. The Dreizug game drag is another design, and the XL version is, as the name says, generously sized. What matters is that handle and strap suit your hand and your ground.
Tips for recovery
Before you start pulling, choose the easiest route, even if it is a little longer. Downhill and over leaves or grass is easier than over roots and deadwood. Fit the loop so that the head is slightly raised, then the animal glides better. Wear gloves when recovering game, as this protects both you and the venison. For longer distances, combining the drag with a game tub is worthwhile, as it keeps the carcass clean.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to attach the loop of a game drag?
Putting the loop around the neck just behind the head has proved its worth, and with roe deer around the front legs as well. That lifts the head slightly as you pull, so the animal snags less on roots and branches.
Can I recover a stag on my own with a game drag?
Over short distances and on easy ground it is possible, but very strenuous. For heavy animals, it is better to get help or drive as close as you can and work with a winch.
How do I stop the venison getting dirty while dragging?
Pull the animal with the body cavity still closed where possible, so before gralloching, or place it in a game tub. Also choose a route over grass or leaves rather than bare ground.
Game drags for every ground
A game drag belongs in every hunting rucksack, because it weighs next to nothing and saves you a lot of effort after the shot. With loop and handle you pull your animal much more easily out of thick cover, woodland or a slope to the nearest track. The Buck, Stag, Hog, Mufflon, Big Five and XL models already show in their names which game they have in mind, from roe buck and boar to stag. The Dreizug game drag adds a further design. Especially after driven hunts, when many animals need recovering, it is handy to have several game drags ready. When recovering, choose the route with the least resistance and wear gloves. For longer distances, combining the drag with a game tub is worthwhile, so the venison stays clean on the way and you have less work later.