Has anyone tried dragging a deer or elk on ~3"-4" wide logs like the Native Americans used to do with horses? Seems to me it would take about 30 mins to build in the woods and would beat having to lift the animal onto a rack. Plus the center of gravity would be very low. I am invisioning three 10'-12' poles roped together in a triangle shape, 4 feet wide cross member at the bottom. The tie logs to hitch (up off the ground) and tie animal to rear rack. And head back to camp for a beer. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Anyone construct something like this? Tips? Suggestions? Plans?

 

Using your racks is the way to go. If lifting an animal is too hard, like if you're alone, just back your wheeler into a ditch or up to a bank, and drag the animal onto the rack.

 

Dextreme, I've tried hauling gear into camp on poles like you suggested. It did work, but I had some problems. Because the hitch on the ATV is so low (compared to towing with a horse), the angle of the rig is too low and nearly the whole thing drags. The crossbars would catch on every rock or stump and it got beat up real bad. Part of the problem is that ATV trails have a high centre between the tire ruts, so make sure the ends of the logs aren't spaced the same width as the ruts. I tied it with rope at first but that wore out real fast, so I re-did it with wire and that lasted a bit longer.
I now have a steel tub trailer and it hauls great, but it does slow you down a bit, especially going in empty. The nice thing about your idea is you only build it after you have game to haul.