Hunting carts can be either sled-shaped units made for use in colder, snowier climates or wheeled cart devices similar to shipping container dollies, which are primarily used for transporting large animals over more flat terrain.
The main things you need to consider when looking for a high-quality cart is the size of the device, its portability, and ease of use.
While a large hunting cart is made to carry a heavy animal over long distances without breaking down or falling apart, it should still be built in such a way so that it can fit comfortably in the back of a truck without taking up too much space.
In A Hurry? This Is The Best Cart To Move Your Game!
Kill Shot Throne 3-in-1 Game Cart
- 3-in-1 transformation; Hunting Chair, Shooting Rest, or Game Cart Deer...
- No tools necessary; Easily transform on site without rustling leaves...
- Adjustable height, rubber-padded shooting rest for optimal shooting...
Why is it the best?
- This game cart doubles as a hunting seat
- The solid rubber wheels can’t deflate or break
- Absolutely no tools required; it can be used straight out of the package
5 Best Game Carts
With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at our top picks.
Let’s dive into the specifics and review each game cart individually. You can use the list below to jump and review specific models, or you can read along and go through all the information.
1. Kill Shot 3-in-1 Game Cart
- 3-in-1 transformation; Hunting Chair, Shooting Rest, or Game Cart Deer...
- No tools necessary; Easily transform on site without rustling leaves...
- Adjustable height, rubber-padded shooting rest for optimal shooting...
A hunting chair, a shooting rest, and a cart to transport the deer after you’re done with it — how could we not put this product at the top of our list?!
The Throne takes the cake six ways from Sunday, especially when you look at the solid steel construction and rubber padding chosen for both stability and comfort.
The all-rubber wheels don’t need to be inflated, so there’s no risk of dealing with a flat tire in the middle of the woods. This is yet another amazing advantage of this product.
Additionally, this cart allows you to store up to 500 pounds on it thanks to the heavy-duty steel design. Our favorite thing about this versatile product is probably the fact that you don’t need any tools to transform it from a seat into a rest, and then into a cart.
It’s ready to go straight out of the package, which means you can go deer hunting as soon as you receive and open it. With this cart, transporting your hunting gear to the woods and hauling your game back for processing will be a walk in the park.
Versatility is a key quality when it comes to hunting carts and this multi-use cart hit the nail on the head. It’s without any doubt the last hunting cart you’ll ever need.
Features
- It can be used as a hunting chair, a shooting rest, and a deer carrier
- When used as a chair for hunting, this product can rotate 360 degrees
- The solid wheels made of rubber can’t deflate or break
- 500lb capacity
- Absolutely no tools needed; it can be used straight out of the package
2. Summit Treestands Game Cart
- Heavy-duty game cart carries up to 350 lbs
- Solid steel axle
- 16 inch hardened rubber wheels
Perhaps the first cart on our list is a bit too much for you. That’s okay — it’s a heavy unit (it weighs 51 pounds).
Summit’s cart is nearly 15 pounds lighter than our first pick (it weighs only 37 pounds) and has one primary function: to carry big game out of the woods. You can’t use this product as a 3-in-1 unit, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
The 16” hardened rubber wheels allow you to trek through the woods without a single worry. You can run over the underbrush without damaging the cart.
There are also three straps included in the purchase so you can tie down your game after the kill.
The all-steel axle is resistant to corrosion, meaning you can use the cart on rainy days as well. Just make sure to dry it off adequately afterwards.
This cart does what it’s supposed to do and comes in at a ridiculously low price compared to our top pick. Bulky and sturdy, the Summit Treestands cart will serve its purpose for a very long period of time.
Features
- The Summit Treestands cart features an easy-handle grip suitable for long travels
- It includes three utility straps for tying down game
- The hardened rubber wheels can’t pop or run low on air
- Weight capacity: 350 pounds
- It features a practical folding frame that allows for compact storage and transport
3. Best Choice Products Game Cart
- DURABLE STEEL CONSTRUCTION: Hauls up to 500 pounds while the cart...
- SOLID RUBBER WHEELS: Thick, 18.5-inch diameter wheels are designed to...
- MULTIPURPOSE FUNCTIONALITY: Can be used to haul game, hunting...
Let’s take a close look at this budget-friendly deer cart.
Best Choice Products made a simple deer cart that comes with no frills and isn’t built on hollow promises.
This cart is designed to hold up to 500 pounds, which is a few deer, half a dozen pheasants, and your backpack.
The oversized wheels this product features are made to tread through everything in your path, rain or shine. With this cart, no rough terrain can spoil your hunting experience.
The standard wheel diameter is around 14 inches, but with a high-weight capacity such as this one, you need that extra wheel diameter to pull the cart and game weight over tree roots and hilly terrain. With its 18.5-inch diameter wheels, this unit provides exactly that.
One of our favorite features of this unit is its size when it’s folded up. Thanks to its foldable design, the Best Choice Products deer cart can fit into your car’s trunk with ease, leaving plenty of space for your additional hunting equipment.
This cart is universal, so you might find additional uses for it. Feel free to use your creativity here.
Features
- It’s made of top-rated steel construction with a solid steel axle and a brown coated finish for extra durability
- It folds up extremely small for easy storage and transport
- The 5” solid rubber wheels are removable and can take a beating and a half
- It features an impressive 500lb maximum carrying capacity
- It comes with 2 buckle straps
4. Goplus Folding Game Cart
- 🦌【500LBS Weight Capacity】 Goplus steel construction hunting...
- 🦌【17" Steel Axle Large wheels】 With 17" diameter and 1.5"...
- 🦌【Utility Cart with Large Space】 69" x 18" overall dimension...
This is the most inexpensive cart on our list, and that’s exactly what Goplus wanted to achieve.
Some of us aren’t hunting for fun; we’re doing it to stock the freezer for our children and our partner/spouse.
This is why so many of us can’t blow a ton of money on a hunting cart. This company made this deer cart truly affordable. However, it’s important to keep in mind that affordable doesn’t mean cheap or low-quality.
Made of durable steel, the Goplus Deer Cart Larger Capacity Hauler Utility Gear Dolly Cart holds up to 500 pounds of game. Also, it comes with large 17” wheels to cover the forest terrain with ease.
The larger the wheels (within a reasonable range), the easier it will be to pull over stubborn tree roots and undergrowth.
It’s also important to note that this is a lightweight unit, as far as deer carts go. You won’t break your back wheeling it around in the forest, which is always a huge plus!
Fold it up, stash it in the trunk, and you’ll be good to go! Switching hunting grounds is an absolute breeze with this unit.
Features
- It features 17” rubber tires and a solid steel frame suitable for hauling heavy loads
- This deer cart is extra large (69” x 18”); more than enough space for big game
- It comes with a complete warranty
5. Guide Gear Deluxe Deer Cart
- DEER CART – Our wheeled cart is perfect for transporting large game...
- DURABLE – The Guide Gear deer hunting cart features a durable...
- LARGE WHEELS – The hunting equipment cart features 16”...
The fifth item on our list is the Guide Gear Deer Cart. This lightweight unit doesn’t pack a strong punch, but it’s good enough for a solo hunter to bring along for the ride.
It weighs just over 28 pounds, so you can stow it away with ease. That’s less drag when you pull it back through the woods to your truck.
The maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds, which, as you can see, is the second-lowest on this list.
If you hunt down one adult buck, its average weight of 270 to 330 pounds might actually be too much for this cart.
For worry-free hunting trips, we advise you to stick with whitetail deer and smaller game.
Since it’s one of the cheapest options in this guide, the Guide Gear Deer Cart will save you big bucks (pun intended), whereas its large, puncture-proof wheels will enable you to haul downed game with ease.
This cart folds up quickly and doesn’t take up much space.
Features
- This cart is made of steel
- It’s the lightest option on our list (it weighs only 28.3 pounds!)
- It’s easy to tilt for quick movements
- It features a fast fold-up process
- It comes with 3 lashing straps
6. Leader Accessories Game Cart
- Hunting hauler cart for transporting game weighing up to 550lbs.
- Heavy-duty steel construction provides plenty of strength for hauling...
- The heavy duty platform provides plenty of room. Featuring a 2 buckle...
The Leader Accessories Hunting Cart is quite heavy — it weighs around 44 pounds.
However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider buying it. It has so much to offer.
Firstly, the Super Mag Hunting Cart’s maximum carrying capacity is 550 pounds, which makes it ideal for experienced hunters.
It’s made of top-rated steel and features 2 buckle straps, meaning you won’t have to worry about strength or security when it comes to transporting your game.
This is a special hunting cart because it comes with a heavy-duty polyester platform that provides ample room for deer or other game.
Features
- This cart is made of high-quality steel
- It features 20” puncture-proof tires with steel rims and spokes
- It’s foldable and easy to assemble
7. Rage Powersports Game Cart
- Hunting hauler cart for transporting game weighing up to 500 lbs....
- Heavy duty 3/4" steel axle, 18.5" Solid rubber tires with steel rims...
- Saves the pain and strain of trying to drag trophy game out of the...
The Rage Powersports Hunting Hauler Cart is one of the very best deer carts on the market.
It’s surprisingly lightweight (it weighs only 16 pounds!) and strong. It can transport animals weighing up to 500 pounds.
Additionally, this cart has a steel tube construction and features heavy-duty steel axles and solid rubber tires, meaning it can traverse rough terrain with ease.
All you’ll have to do is focus on your game.
So, if you prioritize practicality and ease of use when it comes to hunting carts, then you should definitely consider giving this product a try.
Features
- This cart features a steel tube construction with a brown finish
- It comes with 2 buckle straps
- It features a fast wire-spring assembly process (no tools needed)
- It can be folded up for convenient storage
8. Hawk Crawler Deer and Multi-Use Cart
- Easily haul game, gear, or heavy loads with the high-strength utility...
- Game cart helps you pull heavy loads of stumps, logs, rocks, or...
- Deer cart game hauler is equipped with 4 large oversized tires...
The Hawk Crawler Cart is an extremely versatile unit. If you’re looking for a cart that can help you haul game, decoys, hunting equipment, and firewood, then this product should be high on your to-consider list.
Featuring never-flat tires, this cart is made to traverse all kinds of terrain. In addition to this, the large tires distribute the load evenly, thus increasing stability, decreasing bouncing, and eliminating shifting.
The Hawk Crawler Deer Cart weighs 53 pounds. However, you can fold it up and store it away with ease.
Features
- This cart features 4 oversized, all-terrain tires
- It comes with 360-degree dual pivoting axles
- It features a folding frame for easy storage and transport
- 500lb capacity
Choosing the Right Deer Cart
Finding the perfect deer cart for you shouldn’t be a difficult task. You should base your decision on your personal needs and preferences.
However, there are several key features that indicate a certain hunting cart is worth investing in. These are:
- High carrying capacity (300+ pounds; usually 500 pounds)
- Long-lasting frame and heavy-duty build
- Straps for secure game transportation
- Large wheels
- Foldability and easy assembly
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that not all deer carts possess all of the above-mentioned qualities, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do the trick.
Some of these features are more of an extra rather than a necessity (at least for some hunters), which is why there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all cart.
HOW TO USE A GAME CART?
The whole point is to carry the deer (or any other animal for that matter) out of the woods with as little snagging as possible. Look at your cart and think about how to achieve that. Visualize it. You’re going to want to lay the deer’s head as close to the handle as possible.
There are two main reasons for this. First, you’re going to be able to control the antlers. Two, there’s no snagging on the ground that could cause you to lose your game. If the antlers are hanging near the ground, you will most likely end up dragging them against it and either damaging the trophy or letting them snag on tree roots and bushes on the way back to your car.
Lay the deer in a photo-worthy position, and then wedge the bottom end of your cart beneath your game. This will give you leverage to maneuver the deer onto the cart. Next, tilt the cart to position the deer. Lastly, strap it into place. Don’t worry — you’ll get the hang of it quickly. After all, practice makes perfect, right?
HOW TO TRANSPORT YOUR CART?
Most carts will be ready to go right out of the package, but if you need to assemble yours, be sure to do it properly so you can fold it up later. Game carts collapse. It would be insane to transport them as they are.
The goal is to get back to your truck, strap the game onto the bed, and fold the cart up for quick storage. Most carts will fold up to about a third of their original size.
You can lay them vertically in the trunk of your van or SUV, or horizontally in the trunk of a compact car. If you decide to lay yours vertically, bring a zip tie to secure it into place so it doesn’t rattle around while you drive.
WHAT IS THE WEIGHT LIMIT OF AN AVERAGE CART?
It’s usually around 500 pounds. That’s because most carts are made of high-grade steel. Hunters don’t just want to bag a single deer and call it a day; they also want 1-2 whitetails and perhaps some smaller game before they hit the trail and head back home.
An average whitetail doe weighs around 170 pounds, while a buck can weigh upwards of 330 pounds. It sounds to me like that’s the perfect combo to hit that weight limit.
The steel itself might be able to hold more weight, but you have to take the wheels and axles into account. Steel axles are great, but they’re still thin pieces of metal that succumb to immense pressure.
HOW TO SECURE YOUR GAME TO THE CART?
Your cart should come with a few straps (usually 2-3) that are specifically designed for this purpose. If you don’t get any, that’s okay; you can use a few simple 6’ nylon straps. You want to position the straps around the widest points of the deer.
One strap should go around the base of its neck, another underneath its torso (between the front legs), and the third one should go beneath the back legs. Run the straps around the cart once so that they’re pressing down on the deer’s body. Then, when you pull them all the way under, wrap them around one part of the cart.
This will keep your game from sliding down the steel from vibrations while you’re moving the cart through the woods. Secure the straps in place and make sure you’re tilting the handle of the cart properly to have leverage over the body. Once you do all these things, you’ll be able to start moving the cart.
WHAT IS THE BEST DEER CART?
The very best game cart on the market right now is the Throne 3-in-1 by Kill Shot.
However, both the Leader Accessories Super Mag Hauler Steel Hunting Cart and the Guide Gear Deer Cart are taking the hunting world by storm.
Final Thoughts
Before placing a purchase order, remember this — a good hunting cart is easy to transport and will keep your game secured over bumpy terrain.
A quality hunting cart can also help you avoid damaging your game or hurting yourself during transport, as it can take some of the weight off of you when it comes to moving heavy game.
When shopping for a large cart for your game, figuring out what kind of cart you are looking to invest in is key to getting the most out of your purchase.
If you find yourself hunting the most in the colder months of the year (i.e. in snowy conditions) or are looking for a game carrier to help you move medium to large game, a hunting game sled may be more suitable for your needs.
However, if you are interested in transporting large game earlier in the season, a wheeled cart may be perfect for you.
While a hunting cart can be a costly item of hunting gear, it can help you transport your game over a long distance without putting additional stress on you or your prize. It can also help streamline the processing step of your hunting trip.
References:
For the aging solo DIY hunter (65+), the wide variety of available hunting cart options is a blessing. Whether it is a trip down a road or game trail to a haul across rough cross-country mountainous terrain, a well chosen game cart can add several more enjoyable years of hunting to your life. Until the introduction of the game cart to the hunting world, back-breaking backpacking out game meat seemed to be the only choice. This caused early retirement to many aging hunters. However, with the game cart, we now have a suitable substitute for continued hunting. The most common question seems to be, “When do I take my cart into the field for game retrieval?” The answer is simply; When its needed. Whether its for hauling in gear or retrieving game, you’ll know when its needed. Personally, I leave my game cart in the pickup or camp until I’ve tagged, bagged and hung my game meat up in a tree. I then make a quick trip to bring in my game cart to haul the entire animal out in one trip. Let’s face it, we are going to make at least a couple of trips backpacking it out anyway … right? Personally, I have a couple of categories important to me when choosing a game cart: Elderly friendly, cross-country tough and dependability. I also have my jet sled for snow conditions.
Hunters ask me how I haul my game meat out of the field in different conditions. There are as many ways of using a game cart as there are hunters. For snowy and icy mountain conditions, I bought a Jet Sled to which I added some downhill skies and made myself a Smitty Sled. I also added a harness for easier pulling. It works great! For really DEEP snow, I wear snowshoes. For dry mountain conditions, I bought a Hawk Crawler which works GREAT for hauling out elk, mule deer and white tail meat. Keep in mind I only haul out deboned meat in game bags. I normally hunt Cow Elk so the meat doesn’t overload my game cart. I am a aging DIY solo rifle hunter. That probably explains a lot. I come and go from my hunting camp. I don’t drop camp in the mountains because I prefer late season hunts. Bottom line is this; don’t be afraid to own more than one type of game cart that works with your style of hunting.