Hand Pulled Sled Recomendations

There are a number of different brands and sizes. Oscar seem to be the most popular along with Shappel.

Which one do you like for trapping and hunting on both bare ground, marsh and snow.

What size would you recommend? Pro and cons on sizes and make?

Looking for one that would pull easily and still carry my gear for short distances but not to big that it is awkward.

The one I am looking at buying.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...-sled-1-with-sled-travel-cover?a=2070586



Some other examples:

https://www.cabelas.com/category/Game-Carts-Carriers/104353380.uts

Make sure it can fit into you vechicle. And with some extra edge room so you don't knock your knuckles when putting in or out.
Bottom runners are needed of pulling over rocks, or you only get 500 miles out of it till it scratches out.

Watch your achillies heel with the dragging.

I bought a mortar mixing tub at tractor supply. It's a good size and heavy duty. I've used it for 4 years now. It pulls nice and I haul my traps and gear in and out and pull my beaver out in it. It is cheaper than the sleds and just as sturdy. It also had hole in the rim for my tow rope.

If you’re using it a lot while on snowshoes it helps if it isn’t wider than your track. I use a UHMW pulk a lot .

I made one and should have made the nose a bit narrower than the body so that it slides around some objects .

I've used the Jet Sled and works great for beaver to firewood. The bottom started to wear and I purchased a otter sled this spring and it is a better quality sled. Put a larger size rope on the sled.

Otter Sled: https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/otter-pro-ice-fishing-sled?a=1951605

Most of the outdoor guys I know have one.

BF

I bought the smallest one they have, I don't have that much to carry at any one time. I added dowels to the pull rope, like a horse harness, to keep the sled from banging into me when going downhill or across real slick snow.

I like it, though you have to keep the center of gravity low. I even use it when setting creeks, pull it along behind me like a little skiff.

I made this sled, lightweight and has been indestructible so far...

I have an Otter sled and it has lasted for a long time. I normally just pull it by hand but have towed it behind an ATV some too. Works great for floating equipment and critters in creeks and ponds.

Andrews - I've used the snot out of my Otter sled. It's been an invaluable tool on my wolf line for hauling bait, gear and wolves. I'm on foot and haul stuff anywhere from a couple hundred yards to 1/3 mile or so in. I break out the sled once we get a skiff of snow, but it drags across bare patches just fine too.

Pros: Cheap (~$60 or so). Rugged, have used it hard with no cracking. Plenty of capacity (more than I can drag).

Cons: As said above, dragging a sled in snow gets to be a problem once the snow gets deep. Most sleds will be wider than your trail, so they tend to drop sideways into your boot tracks once the snow gets to be oh, a foot or so. It's especially noticeable if you haul stuff in all winter (e.g. - bait) on the same trail. Eventually you'll get a track broken in, but it'll tend to be somewhat crooked. Not a deal breaker, but it can be a pain since cargo will keep falling out. To fix it, I drilled holes every 6-8" or so along the lip of the sled and laced a rope thru the holes. Then get a ATV bungee cargo net to secure your load and hook it to the rope. Works great.

Great info guys. Thanks

If you get the Shappel look into getting the wear bars for the bottom there around 25/30 dollars and will extend the life of your sled I use mine all the time around the yard during the year and for hunting and trapping and even after 2+ years of such abuse it’s still going strong

Thanks to all of you for your comments

I bought a Sno Hauler for sledding out big game on snow. It is narrower and stays on my track easier. Longer than other sleds with lower sides though so maybe that is a factor to consider.

I bought one that looks to be the same size as the one with the wolf in it but it was only $40.00 at the local farm store. It may not be the same but it sure saved me a lot of work last winter. I used it to move hay bales . One fit perfect in it.

Shappell Jet Sleds are vitally important in my nuisance trapping business year round.

Ottersled has worked well for me.