Why Every Deer Hunter Needs A Jet Sled and How To Make It Better

[@dennish1919]

These guys should pay you for this vid. Very informative ! I'm sold, buying one right now. I'm hunting a very steep hill, I have passed on some deer meat just because I'm by myself and and I know the drag will be stupid crazy. Thanks for taking the time to do this for all of us !

[@SamkoTradBow]

You will love the jet sled. Such a great hunting tool

[@rodwoods2108]

Great Idea, smart thinking. I have done some make shift tricks like that but that sled looks great. One time I have too remove a huge amount of trimmed tree limbs from a property by myself. Bought a used plastic bed liner and a couple hundred feet of that same line you use. Dragged the bed out into the mess. The gournd was covered with one to two feet diameter bolders. Extremely rough ground. I tied a pile of limbs on the liner with the front of the liner toward the road. Hooked up too my 4X4 and backed it over to the road twenty five feet at a time. I removed massive amounts of tree limbs from that property that way and hauled them away with a horse trailer. Without that sled the labor would have been multiplied by what he said , five.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Brilliant thinking with the bedliner!!

[@keen9629]

If you put strips of low friction nylon on the bottom ribs and it will last forever. I have had mine for over twenty years and it is so handy.

[@SamkoTradBow]

They even sell runners for them now too

[@Killemquietly]

Jason, you do a hell of an infomercial! I think I’m sold with that inside a tent taking a shower business. The only thing that was missing was call in 15 minutes and we’ll send you two jet sleds, Just pay extra shipping and handling...

[@SamkoTradBow]

Shower and laundry all at the same time! Cant beat it!

[@johnbowhunter7676]

I like my glens deer handle( fits in my pack)... I wore out a jet sled and never replaced it. As you stated, it’s good in certain terrain and not so good in others.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Glad you have a system that works for you. I have pulled about 25 deer out of the woods now with the same jet sled and its still in great shape. Plus we use it around our property for stick removal etc. Still waiting for mine to wear out. When it does I will buy another one immediately.

[@joaxe12]

I also use a Glenn's Deer Handle, too (greatest deer drag EVER!) but also have one of these sleds (Terrain K42) in my car (crossover SUV) to carry the deer home. Catches any blood, etc from the deer and keeps the inside of the car clean. 👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I use one of these behind a snowmobile. I bolted used cross country skis under it as wear skids. Added a conduit pipe handle so it doesn't run into the snowmobile. Works great!

[@markflick1641]

Made a believer out of me

[@SamkoTradBow]

You will love it

[@rjwilliams1697]

I had mine blow out on the pa turnpike 😂😂

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@rjwilliams1697 that had to be a thing to to see for those behind ya😂

[@RobertJones-yq6jk]

Just wondering, how practical is the jet sled while still hunting? My two favorite spots are creek bottoms adjacent to agriculture fields - a mile or two from my truck. I do a zig-zag still hunt back towards my truck. I can’t imagine pulling it behind me whilst I still hunt. Unless I hide it at a half way point on the way in, I see quartering and packing out a more reasonable option on those days. At 72, with muscle fatigue/nerve compression issues, trying to drag him out with rope and harness isn’t really an option. If I blend 1-2 hour sits in my Millennium tree seat between still hunting I still wonder if dragging the sled between sits is reasonable.

[@SamkoTradBow]

The sled is pretty loud when you drag it. I think stashing it a good idea. I don't think you would like dragging it with you the whole time

[@Chriskelly19067]

I'm just going to say... your method is not for people who pee in the shower! Great info man. I'm learning so much from your channel.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Lol. Definitely not good to pee in a jet sled shower with your clothes in the bottom..lol

[@baghalman]

That’s funny.

[@paulcrave3112]

I have a tonto over on my truck so it doesn’t get full of rain, but I keep a lot of my hunting gear in the sled so I don’t leave important gear at home on accident. Backpack goes in there loaded with all its gear, then all my climbing gear, wether it be ropes for SRT or my One Stick or spurs, it’s all in there so if I decide I need to go to a different area or to a preset, I’m equipped. I’ll throw extra clothes in it as well. Keeps them off the bed of the truck.

[@mr.whitetail5189]

Jason, what's easier... dragging in the jet sled or packing out? I didn't think packing out was all that easy & it would take multiple trips on some of the bigger deer I have shot (170-200+ lbs dressed).

[@SamkoTradBow]

Depends. On flat ground the jet sled is easy. In hills or a distance of over half mile I'm packing. A 200 pound deer dressed will yield about 70 pounds of meat . A very doable weight I'm a good frame pack. But boneing them in the field is hard on the back and knees where as doing it in your garage with heat and a radio and a table make life much easier. So there are trade offs to both.

[@mr.whitetail5189]

@@SamkoTradBow Thanks for the reply. I usually hunt swamps with a lot of humps & old logs & if a sled is 3-5 times easier than dragging that would be HUGE & it seems like it would be a lot faster. I would say I easily get over 100 lbs of boneless meat from a 200 lb dressed buck so that is going to take me a couple trips with a pack frame. I got a 10pt last week that looked like he would only go 130-135 lbs (I didn't weigh him but he had a small body) & I got 66 lbs of steaks & burger. A 200+ lb buck is typically pretty long. Do you think it would fit OK in your 54" sled? I was thinking about getting the Deer Sled from Terrain Outdoors (65") but @ 4 lbs I would imagine it flexes & maybe a heavier sled like the Jet Sled might be better.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@mr.whitetail5189 you would have no problem fitting any Whitetail or mule deer in an original jet sled. That's what I would do in your situation.

[@it_is_finished]

If we are talking using it for dragging deer out only, is it better than a deer cart?

[@SamkoTradBow]

Depends on the terrain. Over blow downs, on leaves, swamp, soft ground, etc the jet sled wins. On a flat hard ground the cart is easier. I use a jet sled to drag deer all the time and no longer own a deer cart if that tells ya anything.

[@it_is_finished]

Traditional Bowhunting And Wilderness Podcast Thank you sir

[@loustoneberger8921]

Works well for trapping as well. I’ve had one for a few years and never used it for ice fishing either ha ha

[@SamkoTradBow]

Sure does! Thanks for mentioning that as it will remind them the other uses!

[@GostoFan]

Good video Do your recommend getting the sled with the factory installed wear bars on the bottom?

[@SamkoTradBow]

I have not used the wear bars. The sleds are cheap in cost already so I didnt want to add the extra weight and I want to keep in fully waterproof to keep blood in and my truck bed clean. The sled will last years even without the wear bars.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

.. there are teflon runners on the market .. protect the sled bottom and aid in sliding ..

[@jpoutsider7700]

5 seconds?

[@PatrickWooley]

I have one and it helps to wax the bottom before the season starts. Works better

[@SamkoTradBow]

Great tip

[@CJ-jd6qv]

Great video! Thank you, I’ll be getting one for myself. Have you ever tried the XL sled? The regular size seems to be perfect though

[@SamkoTradBow]

Never tried the xl. I actually use the jr more than the original size now. Love both the jr and orginial

[@CJ-jd6qv]

@@SamkoTradBow just looked it up. Original is like 10 lbs lighter than the XL. I think the Jr or original would be better to cause you can drag between trees easier to

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@CJ-jd6qv agree 100%

[@randymcclellan9569]

Bought one this season, use it twice already, will never drag a deer out without it again. Did the modifications you showed, absolutely love it.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Glad it's working great for you! Thanks for commenting!

[@supertrooper7403]

Breathe brother

[@ellerybice3787]

No demonstration, porque¿

[@DannyJacobs-x5z]

Going to using it to help load in the truck bed, I have a 6' long 2x8 board with a couple long screws ran into one end, favoring the screw head ends sticking out the furthest. The screws help keep the board from slipping off the tailgate. The sleds ride right up even easier with using the ramp.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@DannyJacobs-x5z agree used to keep 2 2x4s in my ram 2500 as it was so tall. Easy to slid the jet sled up the 2x4s and they stayed between the grooves on the bottom of the sled

[@garynokes729]

Shot a Hugh 10 pointer a few years ago and almost had a heart attack dragging it out. First thing I did after getting home was order the shorter sled, the longer one did not fit my short bed pickup. Last year I pulled 2 medium size does a quarter of a mile to my truck. A few days ago I pulled a large buck through a cedar swamp during an ice storm. Probably one of the best investments I made like you say using it throughout the year for various tasks. I saw your video about hacks and upgraded my sled. I kept my sled in the back of my truck during trout season, the back of the truck leaked. I purchased a camouflage cover which fit beautifully. Thanks for sharing.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Glad it works great for you too. Will never not have a jet sled. And I now live in ga. My neighbors wonder what the heck it is..lol

[@stanvance7736]

I have the smaller model. And I can say that no matter the size of the deer it fits in the sled nicely. I also use it for gear to put up or take down treestands or ground blinds. As soon as I started using the sled I stopped using my deer cart with wheels which served it's purpose for years then I sold it. The sled is much better. I also use the larger pull rope. And I invested in a Glen's Deer Handle to use on the pull rope and it works perfectly. I would give my full endorsement for this multi-tool for the deer hunter.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Love it! Glad its working great for you too.

[@pathingmusic]

"They don't blow out the back of my truck going 80mph" had me rolling with laughter LOL. Great points in this video, thanks for putting it together!

[@SamkoTradBow]

Gald you enjoyed the vid!

[@wyndwalkerranger7421]

Great video. I have used one for years, one other modification to consider is a line in the back (snubber) for come down hilly country particularly in snow.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Great tip! Thanks

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Great idea for the reasons mentioned. I would never spend money on that other option, but you can make one on the cheap for situations where your sled is too large for the terrain to be practical. I have many locations where the terrain is not open to get deer from making a drag rope ideal often. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6DJlH2EndR0gJo

[@mikelundrigan2285]

A piece of old garden hose would work as a pull too! Old garden hoses have many other uses… I run wires tru em for trailers when replacing the wiring harnesses to protect em!

[@SamkoTradBow]

Yep. Works good. I like the stiffer wash machine hose better on my hands. But garden hose works good too

[@trumpie5399]

A weight pullers harness vest ! And 4 HD snap rings with 2 ea 4 foot lifting straps attached to vest. Installed 2 large Eye bolts with fender washers in front and 6 smaller eye bolts with washers for tie downs and lock nuts for all. Leaves my hands free in case of Bear charge to draw pistol while recovering moose quarters. I use my XL Jetsled in my Grumman 19’ Canoe for moving my camp also. Thanks for your video information.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Excellent idea as well and good thinking on hands free if needed.

[@5150printer]

You have the most wonderful, practical, and value filled videos Thank you so much.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Thank you. Glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@Mike-cc2eu]

Great information and I’ll be looking forward for using some of these ideas

[@SamkoTradBow]

Glad ypu enjoyed it

[@arthurcarstens]

Hey Jason, have watched both of your videos about the sleds, how well would they work pulling them behind an ebike? Do they make excessive noise? some of the trails are gravel or rock, I wonder about the noise factor. Also, how much usage do you get before the bottom "wears thru"? am using a cart right now to pull out deer. normally pull the animal out to the trail and then use the ebike to get it back to the truck. The ebike pulls the cart with ease, probably would pull the sled with no problem, just wondering about the noise and wear. your thoughts/opinions?

[@SamkoTradBow]

I would not pull a sled on gravel, dirt or grass. The gravel chews it up fast, grass and dirt hold it tight and make it heavy to drag. The sled is amazing in the woods and sticks, debris, etc. Once you got it out of the woods I'd go cart.

[@arthurcarstens]

@@SamkoTradBow appreciate the help

[@skippylippy547]

Excellent review of a highly useful tool! Thx.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@swampbiologist]

Great video, I bought one last season and love it! I drug a deer out with it and when I got back to my truck, I used the 4-wheeler ramp to drag the deer loaded sled up into my truck. Worked great for us old guys with bad backs! That thing also has 100 uses!

[@SamkoTradBow]

Yep one of the most valuable tools a hunter can have.

[@TooTallOutdoors]

Do you prefer this or a game cart? I hunt in very flat and grassy terrain and will run into the occasional flooded area. I can’t decide what would work best for me.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Yes I have tried a couple game carts and I do prefer the jet sled. Only thing I like a game cart for is 2 tracks and logging roads. Other wise jet sled all the way.

[@paulpower2680]

Excellent Jason. I was thinking of buying one of those 2 wheeled Carts, but I think I could use the sled for so many things too. Thank you again

[@SamkoTradBow]

I have both. The sled gets used so much more than the cart

[@pacoletriveroutfitterstoo9385]

Great tip. I saw the 2x4 video first and saw the sled being used along with the boards. I’m putting these in my truck asap with mods. Thank you!

[@DonohoeDSc]

If you ever watched the HBO Series Deadwood, you will discover a tool commonly used throughout the series by Al and Wu is “The Sled”. Great video, I had no idea the Jet Sled existed, all this time I was using my son’s snow sleds; similar function but no side walls...this thing is the bomb. Lastly, noticed in a different video of yours that I can use it as a modified drawer system inside the bed of my RAM 1500, using two by fours underneath...way cheaper than a $1,200 drawer system. Thanks dude, your stuff is spot on!

[@SamkoTradBow]

Yep love the many uses of a jet sled! Glad you are enjoying the content!

[@J155P]

I was thinking this would be awesome in early season when the temps are high. Could put the deer in there and fill it with ice if you have a long ride home.

[@SamkoTradBow]

yep you could for sure do that. so many uses for a jet sled

[@J155P]

@@SamkoTradBow Just tested it out yesterday doing exactly that. Worked awesome. Also, the loading technique worked great for getting him into the back of the truck. Not sure how we would've done it otherwise. He was a beast. Thanks again. Good purchase.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@J155P awesome! And congrats!

[@J155P]

@@SamkoTradBow Thank you, sir. I can't take the credit though, it was my brother's first deer. Pretty awesome 👍

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@J155P love it! Good gear, good company, quality family time, and meat in the freezer!

[@williamchristy3063]

GREAT VIDEO! I bought one for elk hunting (the larger one). I appreciate the alterations. I purposely hunt the late rifle seasons which means dealing with snow. I've been considering using a sled harness for pulling with mine leaving my hands free for trekking poles. PS: I added skies and a harness making mine a SMITTY SLED. It works great in snow. I since moved to Idaho for mountain elk and mule deer hunting. My sled works great for packing in a wilderness camp and hauling out my deboned meat. I make use of the trails a lot because of all the fallen trees and limbs on the forest floor. Pulling my sled with a harness while wearing snow shoes makes packing in a lot easier. Don't get me wrong! I have to be in shape for a good day's work while hunting, but this Jet Sled makes everything possible.

[@SamkoTradBow]

You are gonna love the versatility of the jet sled. For the hip set up maybe a cheap molle hip belt and connect the sled reigns right to it.

[@trumpie5399]

That’s what I use A weight pullers harness And 4 HD snap rings with 2 ea 4 foot lifting straps attached to vest. Leaves my hands free in case of Bear charge to draw pistol while recovering moose quarters.

[@rodwoods2108]

I have elk hunted a lifetime. I used horses and back pack frames a couple hundred times. This sled is slick for most deer hunting but you will probably have to make a couple trips with an elk. Skin, quarter and try two quarters at a time. Some country is too steep and rough. But I think you can save some labor a lot of time with the sled. Use it wisely. Going to ge tmyself one. Dragging anything on the ground is a no!

[@SeppoVataja]

I put a few eye bolts along the perimeter as tie downs

[@SamkoTradBow]

Great ideas

[@josephagosta7554]

Jason, approximately how long is the 7mm drag rope?

[@SamkoTradBow]

Don't know and don't have it will me down here to measure. But I do remeber I made it about a foot longer than the original rope that was on the sled. Seems to be a great length

[@bryankilbarger7279]

I didn't know I needed one of these until now. I have a Jeep Wrangler that I use a hitch basket on. Not wide enough to fit a sled in, but I could put crossbars on the basket and lash to them. Any thoughts on the 54" Eagle Claw model that is 25% heavier, or stick with the original? Thanks

[@SamkoTradBow]

Lot of great sleds out there. The jet sled is the the one I like the best for size shape and weight. we have an otter sled too but its really heavy and doesnt slide as well. so I use the jet sled all the time now.

[@bryankilbarger7279]

@@SamkoTradBow Ok, great and thanks for the input!

[@dustinstark5064]

Hey Jason just picked up a jet sled for this season. When I remembered you did a video on them. Had to look it up for the mods you did. Thanks again for the info.

[@SamkoTradBow]

You are gonna love it! Sure is a useful tool!

[@mattvollmer8744]

Ever had issues with snow sticking to bottom of your jet sled? That happened to me in the UP and it became way harder to drag than using no sled at all.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Great question. I have never had that problem but do know from my skiing days that certain snow conditions can cause sticking. Especially if you put a warm deer in a sled that will heat and melt the snow its dragging on. If I ever have that problem I would look into waxing the jet sled bottom with a car wax or maybe even with a ski wax for warm snow conditions. Ski wax has different temp ratings and can just be colored on like a fat crayon. Super fast and easy. That's what I would try atleast. But most likely from warm deer heating up the sled and snow melting and sticking. Could also put a cheap walmart foam sleeping pad in the bottom of the sled to insulate the deer from the sled and snow.

[@timothypadilla1277]

Spray the bottom with WD 40 before you head out no sticking

[@JL250X]

Great video as usual Jason! With the left over cord do you think it will work fine to use as my tether on my harness?

[@SamkoTradBow]

I would not use 7mm as a tether line personally. 8mm minimum for anything that can be shock loaded.

[@JL250X]

@@SamkoTradBow okay! I did some further research after watching your tether videos and learned a little about dynamic rope and I understand your logic. I have some left over 7mm from my jet sled I might just play around and try and make a stick alder!

[@joshuaw5404]

how would it do on water with a deer in it

[@SamkoTradBow]

It sinks. Not enough buoyancy to float a deer

[@anonymous_friend]

When you hunt. Do you always leave the sled in the truck and go back and get it when you need it? or do you take it with you to your spot and hide it? Thanks for the tips

[@SamkoTradBow]

95% of the time leave it in the rig. But on some spots that are far in and I have very high hopes of killing I will throw my sticks Stan and pack in the sled and drag it out there. Then stash the sled a couple hundred yards short of where I want to hunt so it's there if I need it. Also makes it nice for the walk out to chuck all my crap in it and just drag it out.

[@anonymous_friend]

@@SamkoTradBow I wasn’t sure if sled dragging noise would scare off the deer or not.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@anonymous_friend it definitely makes noise. But only thru areas I do not plan to hunt right then anyway

[@thomashood3748]

My sled arrived yesterday!

[@SamkoTradBow]

you will love it

[@willievanderlaan7441]

do they work good in sand do you think

[@SamkoTradBow]

Nope. They suck in the sand and loose dirt and even in a grassy yard. The more leaves and debris the better it pulls. But sucks in sand for sure

[@willievanderlaan7441]

Ok thanks !

[@dheller777]

I have had one for about 5 years. While they do make pulling a deer out a breeze in the snow it will still require quite a bit of effort to pull a deer out with one of these. I have pulled many deer out and pulling that kind of weight even in this sled will require much more effort than my deer cart does to bring a deer out. It does have the advantage of getting over obstacles easier than a cart. Plan on stopping a lot to get your wind back if you are going any great distance.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Depends on what you are pulling it over. Leaves and other debris it's super easy. Grass dirt etc is pretty hard. But I love mine and use it all the time.

[@AA-fg3wj]

I like how you use it to load the deer in the truck. Thanks for the tips!

[@SamkoTradBow]

So much easier than standing on the tailgail trying to yank a deer into the truck bed. Plus all the blood stays right in the sled so zero clean up afterwards.

[@km6731]

@@SamkoTradBow I actually just bought one of these this weekend to take my 2 year old sledding. I also have been having problems getting a deer into the truck with a topper on it. its nearly impossible with one man and no winch of some sort. i eventually got so pissed off and man handled my big doe with my 230pound body. One thing i want to do with mine is make it quieter running over the snow as i would like to use it for coyote calling and carrying my gun, call ,pack, and hopefully coyotes back out a couple miles. Have any ideas. I tried a blanket with a buddies sled. didnt seem to dampen it much.

[@SamkoTradBow]

@@km6731 great question. I dont really know of a way that quiet that much surface area dragging on snow. Maybe a couple bike tires mounted on it to roll rather than slide.

[@randydeskins9359]

@@km6731 What I have been doing for years: Get a 2x8” or 2x10” board slight shorter than your truck bed Lay one end of board up on edge of your truck tailgate and pull the deer just up on the board and pick up the end of the board that’s on the ground and slide the board and deer up into the truck. Leverage of the board makes it super easy. I just bought a jet sled and it should work the same. Hunted by myself for years after having friends that took over the hunting places I took them. Randy

[@silentbirdhunter]

Excellent video! I use a jet sled moose hunting in Alaska...if I drop a bull in water I can use it to get the quarters to dryland. I take 2 duck hunting, one for me to layout in, the other for may lab to sit in and stay dry back in the willows. Also useful when working on the outboard motor (changing out water pump) to catch any parts that drop towards the water.

[@SamkoTradBow]

Yeah so many uses! Excellent ideas you added! A jet sled is the like the swiss army knife of outdoor tools!

[@ozziejim8472]

G'day Jas , you bone out deer in the bush , so there's no hanging in a cool room then? sorry bit off topic just curious.

[@SamkoTradBow]

I bone deer in the field when I'm hunting other states (have to bone the out anyways to bring back to Michigan) and I bone the out if I'm more than a half mile deep here in Michigan ( here I bone out and pack meat out, then go back with a garbage bag and pack out hide, carcass as we cant leave them in the field here). I can still hang them to age them. As long as you are not cutting muscle groups into steaks etc yet hanging the boned out meat does still tenderize it. When I bone the quarters I take all meat off all connected together so I hanged each boned out quarter, back straps, and then just put the neck, and grind pieces in a game bag in the cooler.

[@davidschwartz2398]

I've been using the jet sled to drag deer out for years. It works great! I put large flat washers behind the pull rope knots & I also installed wear bars on the sled to perserve the sled bottom. The sled slides over logs effortlessly too. It actually shortens the time & distance to drag the deer out. The paracord loops & extra rope are great ideas! Thank you for sharing.

[@gramps5157]

Do you lift the Jet Sled with the deer in it up into the truck bed or do you get up in the truck and pull the rope and the Jet sled into the truck. I'm getting older and looking for the best way to get a deer into a pick up truck.

[@SamkoTradBow]

The best way to get it i to the truck is to carry a couple 2x4s in the bed of the truck. When you need to load the sled with the deer use the 2x4s as a ramp. Very easy with the 2x4s. You can also cut a couple sapplings right on location to do thw same also.

[@lukedautel2127]

Have you ever used 1 while hunting in the marsh? A few weeks ago I had to walk into a location with waders on with bow, climber, and bag. I ended up hunting I. The waders because I already had too much gear. I paid for it because I sweat so much and was freezing shortly after. This would give me an option of loading all my gear in with the sled. Changing at the base of the tree and cooling down before climbing. Thoughts?

[@SamkoTradBow]

Great question. Here's my take. The sled will not float with a stand and sticks and gear in it. If you have to walk thru cattails etc it's a pain with the sled snagging. The sled also is heavy to pull on mud and dirt. If your situation doesnt encounter any of that it's worth trying. If any of those present I think a frame pack is best bet.

[@Basshole51]

do you think the wear bar kits shappell makes for these are worth the money ($45 same cost as a JS1)

[@SamkoTradBow]

I dont think so. The wear bars will add weight, possible leak spots and sink in on soft ground.