How to Load a Deer Into a UTV: A Guide to Game Loaders

One of the easiest ways to load a deer into a UTV by yourself is with a winch-powered game loader. The winch lifts the weight, saving you from having to pick up a heavy deer by hand.

Without a loader, you've got a few options. You might ask a hunting buddy for help, drag the deer up a ramp, or try lifting the deer into the bed yourself. Each method works in certain situations, but none is particularly appealing when you're miles from the truck and worn out from a long hunt.

A game loader gives you a more manageable way to handle the job, especially when nobody else is around to help.

A UTV game loader is a mounted lifting system designed to help you load harvested game and other heavy equipment. Most use an electric winch attached to a support frame, allowing you to raise a deer without lifting the full weight yourself.

Game loaders come in different styles. Some mount near the cargo bed, while others attach to the UTV's cage.

Rough Country's Game Loader attaches to the upper cage, giving you a dedicated lifting system while leaving the cargo bed available for your other gear.

For hunters who regularly head into the woods alone, having a winch do the heavy lifting is a welcome change from dragging and wrestling with a deer.

Loading a deer with a UTV game loader is fairly simple once the equipment is properly installed. The winch handles the weight while you control the lift.

The exact process depends on your loader, but the general steps are similar.

1. Find a Good Place to Park

Position your UTV on firm, level ground near the deer. Set the parking brake and make sure the vehicle is stable before starting.

Avoid lifting on steep slopes or muddy ground where your UTV might shift.

2. Attach the Winch Line

Connect the winch line using a suitable lifting harness or attachment method approved for your loader.

Check the connection and make sure the line has a clear path before you start lifting.

3. Let the Winch Handle the Weight

Slowly raise the deer using the winch controls. Keep an eye on the load and stop if anything catches or starts shifting.

Rough Country's game loader includes a wireless remote, giving you room to watch the lift without standing directly beside the winch.

Keep your hands and feet clear of the line and suspended load.

4. Secure the Deer Before Heading Out

Once the deer is raised, follow your loader's instructions for positioning and securing the load.

Make sure the deer is properly supported and restrained before driving. Never depend on winch tension alone to hold a load during transport.

With the right setup, one person handles much of the loading process without needing someone else to help lift.

Lifting a deer into a UTV bed isn't easy, especially after spending hours walking, tracking, or dragging game through the woods.

A mature whitetail often weighs well over 100 pounds, and moving one is awkward. The weight doesn't stay balanced, the legs get in the way, and the side of the cargo bed always seems a little higher when you're doing the lifting.

There are other ways to get a deer loaded, but each has its drawbacks.

• Lifting by hand: Works better with help, but handling a heavy deer alone puts a lot of strain on your back and shoulders.
• Using a ramp: Saves some lifting, but you're still dragging the deer uphill, often on muddy or slippery ground.
• Using a manual pulley: Helps with the weight, but you still have to provide the pulling force.
• Using a game loader: An electric winch handles the lifting, making the job easier to manage without relying on your own strength.

For hunters who prefer going out alone, a game loader is especially useful. You don't have to count on having another person available when it's time to bring your deer home.

You Also Keep Your Cargo Bed Available

Here's another advantage of Rough Country's game loader: the mounting system doesn't take over your UTV bed.

The loader attaches to the upper cage, leaving room for coolers, tools, hunting bags, feed, and other equipment.

That's a big plus when your UTV already has a bed full of gear before you even head into the woods.

Weight capacity depends on the game loader. Rough Country's Can-Am Defender Game Loader has a 600-pound load capacity, making the lifting system suitable for large deer and other loads within its rating.

One thing worth remembering is the difference between the loader's rating and your UTV's payload capacity.

A 600-pound game loader doesn't mean your UTV automatically supports an additional 600 pounds. Passengers, accessories, hunting gear, and anything else you're hauling all count toward your vehicle's weight limits.

Check both ratings before lifting or transporting a heavy load.

Some game loaders require a separate winch purchase, but Rough Country's Can-Am Defender Game Loader includes a 1,000-pound electric winch with a wireless remote.

The remote comes in handy when you're loading a deer alone. You control the lifting process while keeping an eye on the load.

Even though the winch is rated for 1,000 pounds, the complete game loader has a 600-pound capacity. The loader's lower rating is the limit you need to follow.

Before buying a game loader, think about how often you'll use yours, the type of game you hunt, and whether you want extra features for working around your property.

Here are a few things worth checking.

Strong Construction

Your UTV takes a beating in the woods, and anything mounted to the back needs to hold up to the same conditions.

Rough Country's Can-Am Defender Game Loader uses 11-gauge steel with a powder-coated finish to help protect against scratches, rust, and everyday wear.

Easy Installation

Nobody wants to spend an entire weekend cutting or modifying their UTV to install a new accessory.

Rough Country's game loader bolts directly to the upper cage without cutting, drilling, or welding. You'll still need to follow the installation instructions and make sure you're ordering the right model for your UTV.

Extra Lighting

If you've ever tracked a deer until dark, you know how helpful good lighting becomes when it's time to load up.

Rough Country's loader has openings for compatible 2-inch square LED lights, plus additional mounting spots along the top.

The lights are sold separately, so you choose the setup that works for your needs.

A Place for Smaller Gear

Rough Country's loader also includes a MOLLE-style panel. Think of this as a slotted mounting surface for attaching compatible tools and accessories.

It's a convenient place to organize smaller items instead of having everything rolling around in the cargo bed.

Deer season might be the reason you buy a game loader, but you don't have to stop using yours when hunting season ends.

A UTV game loader also comes in handy for jobs around a farm, hunting property, or piece of land.

You might use yours to lift suitable tools, supplies, or equipment that would otherwise be difficult to handle alone.

Rough Country rates its Can-Am Defender Game Loader for game, gear, and equipment weighing up to 600 pounds.

As with any lifting equipment, make sure the load is properly attached, balanced, and suitable for the loader before picking anything up.

If you already use your UTV for hunting, hauling supplies, or maintaining property, a game loader gives you another way to get work done without depending entirely on manual lifting.

If you've ever tried to load a big deer by yourself, you already know how much work goes into getting one out of the woods.

A game loader takes much of the lifting out of the process, whether you're hunting alone, dealing with larger deer, or tired of struggling to get game loaded.

Rough Country's Can-Am Defender Game Loader gives you a 600-pound load capacity, an included electric winch, and extra mounting options while keeping your cargo bed available.

And when hunting season ends, you've still got a useful piece of equipment for jobs around your property.