Senior friendly helps/gear for hunters

[steve white]

Things are just getting harder for me as I get older, especially if I have to do them alone. Example: lift a deer onto the tailgate--the tailgates on the new Tundras and other gigantic trucks are about a mile high, not senior friendly. Man is it hard to get that deer even started up there. I suppose someone will get rich by inventing new senior hunter helps gear wise, gadget wise...maybe one of you!
What challenges have you had to overcome, and what are your best ideas for making life easier on ourselves? If no one guesses my favorite, I will chime in with it later!

 

[chashardy]

Sounds like your Tundra needs a winch, but I hear you. I had to let the tracker carry my 416 Rigby when we were buffalo hunting in Limpopo, SA in July. That was a first for me, but the walking was really tough in loose sandy soil and the thickest sickle bush I've ever seen.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

You need a Tommy Gate, sure they are ugly, but handy. Good for anything heavy.

 

[steve white]

You need a Tommy Gate, sure they are ugly, but handy. Good for anything heavy.

Plus, the weight would increase traction
Keep 'em coming, guys!

 

[putter97127]

You need a young fella to tag along and do the heavy lifting... Sure they're annoying, but they can be useful.... Kind of the human version of the Tommy Gate

 

[DGGardner]

I second putters97127 opinion. You need a young strong back to go with you. You have wisdom and mentorship to share. He has (hopefully) a strong back and willingness to learn. You could invent something that links the two to gather.

 

[BRICKBURN]

You need a young fella to tag along and do the heavy lifting... ………..

We call those Ergonomic Winches!

 

[Ravensview]

Spitz lift, or even a piece of 3/4” plywood to slide up into pickup bed, I usually just use my Atv or snow machine for deer with a otter sled, then a brake winch to hang on buck pole, lately I have been thinking of a heated box blind for this cold on the days that I just sit (usually hunkered under a pine), it seems the cold sinks deeper into my bones and arther itus gets worse,

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I don't think there is one thing, many, and you just keep adding. But for sure a strong young helper is a great idea. The older you get the more you find that little things help a lot, like elasticised trousers and comfortable shoes. Amazingly you can do a lot more when you feel comfortable. And of course keep your glasses up to date.

 

[mark-hunter]

What challenges have you had to overcome, and what are your best ideas for making life easier on ourselves? If no one guesses my favorite, I will chime in with it later!

When hunting as paying client, I dont bother much. The outfitters, guides, and PHs work out the logistics.

Dont shoot: When I hunt, by myself, as a member of a club, I could remember situations, when I did not shoot, for the reason to avoid pulling the game back to the road, where is accessible by car, when it was too far.

Hunt smaller game: Another solution, hunt smaller game. Dont shoot large male boar, shoot piglet. Dont shoot red deer, shoot roe deer. (in America - dont shoot elk alone, better shoot white tail deer), etc.

Hunting companion: When going hunting for larger game 200 pounds plus, it means, plan logistics in advance, and if necessary take another friend with you to help with hard work. Without helpful friend by your side, dont shoot.

Shoot feather. Ducks, phaesants, geese, turkeys. Its good hunt, easy later.

Winch on truck is very helpful. Install.
I am thinking also to install a winch in my backyard, to hang the game for skinning, to avoid manual work when hanging. (now I am using rope block, but its getting harder every year)

(I wish also there is a machine for skinning, but I couldn't find such thing - except plain and simple skinning knife. Skinning the old boar is tough.)

Some thoughts....

 

[Tanks]

...

(I wish also there is a machine for skinning, but I couldn't find such thing - except plain and simple skinning knife. Skinning the old boar is tough.)
...

Here you go, the same machine could do most animals I gather.

 

[Cam300]

Something that has really helped my father out as he ages - we hunt together and he simply makes me do all the hard work! I wouldn’t trade it for the world though… I’ve seen some tailgates with steps and a flip up post that might make it easier to load a deer, on a serious note.

 

[mark-hunter]

Here you go, the same machine could do most animals I gather.

Fantastic!

 

[wesheltonj]

Here's one very similar to one I use. This one is the EZ-Lift Loader.

Outback Wildlife Feeders Outback Feeders Protein Feeders

Outback Wildlife Feeders Outback Feeders Protein Feeders and options Protein Feeders

outbackfeeders.com

The one I have, you can have the tail gate down, and the top half swivels and you can just swing your deer into the back of the truck. Easy.

 

[steve white]

a pair of vice grips and a box cutter help get boar hide off in strips
I appreciate all the comments in addition to how to get it lifted...there are lots of areas needing attention as we all only have so much energy and so many tasks to choose among.

 

[steve white]

Surprised no one voted for my favorite help--GOING ON SAFARI! They do everything and all you do is HUNT. Social security should include one paid safari per year!

 

[mark-hunter]

Social security should include one paid safari per year!

I will sign up for that!

 

[Tanks]

Surprised no one voted for my favorite help--GOING ON SAFARI! They do everything and all you do is HUNT. Social security should include one paid safari per year!

It does. The sum of a year's worth of SS checks does equal one Safari.

 

[steve white]

Well, let's talk coolers. Rotomoulded coolers weigh like cast iron, especially when full. Not getting rid of mine--too expensive, but could sure use at least some aftermarket wheels if anyone knows where to get/how to attach them.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Easy way to skin deer. I haven't tried it, but I know some who claim to have.