Tips & Tricks

Improve the glide with wax or silicone

Two easy ways to cut down on drag, especially on dirt, grass, or slushy snow where the rubber bottom naturally grips more. A rub-on ski wax applied to the bottom of the sled noticeably improves glide - one hunter compared it to gliding on a pair of snow skis after waxing. Look for a wax rated for the conditions you're hunting in, since there are separate formulas for below-freezing versus slushy, above-freezing snow. A light coat of silicone spray on the sled bottom also noticeably changes the friction profile and makes it pull easier - worth trying if you don't already have ski wax on hand. Either one is a cheap, pack-light fix if you find the sled dragging harder than expected on a given surface.

Pack extra long rope for whole-animal loads

The included rope is for the dragging function of the the sled.  For hauling an un-quartered animal or anything that hangs off the edges, bring extra paracord or rope to cinch it down tight. The extra length will allow you to zig sag across the grommets allowing for tighter more secure hold which is handy for uneven terrain, going over deadfalls, etc.  Also, the smaller the surface area touching the ground and the tighter the load is wrapped, the easier it drags.

Sizing up for elk

Our Regular and Large sizes handle most big game well, but if you're regularly packing out elk quarters, consider sizing up to our Large or Alaskan sled. A little extra width makes it easier to load full quarters without them hanging past the edges.

It's not just for big game

A few hunters have found uses well outside a standard drag-out: hauling duck decoys into and out of a marsh (much more efficient than carrying them by hand), and general gear hauling, like moving equipment from a lake to a river camp. If you've got a load to move across snow, dirt, or grass, think of the sled as general-purpose hauling gear, not just a game sled.

Cinch it like a burrito

Worth repeating here too: for the best drag, wrap your load tight and centered, minimizing how much surface area touches the ground - the same principle whether you're hauling game, decoys, or gear.

Bonus: Shoulder Clip works for more than a rifle

The Weapon Sling Shoulder Clip is built to stop a rifle from sliding off your shoulder, but it works just as well for other gear on a strap - securing a bugle tube on an elk hunt is one that's come up more than once.