I used to hunt the big timber on southern Ohio state Forest land. I learned decades ago to get away from the urban cowboys that ruin a hunt it is necessary to go deep, over a mile back up hollows and ridges to avoid having my Hunts ruined.
For years not being allowed to butcher in the forest, and horses, bikes, and other transportation was only allowed on designated trails specified for each, I used a cart.
Two decades ago I tried a plastic roll up slead. I placed tarp eyes on the two outer sides and would carry it rolled up in my backpack. Along with a chest harness that had a ring that was between my shoulder blades on the back. This made pulling very easy, and when it came to dead falls and limbs crossing them was much easier than the wheels climbing over them.
I also found the cart to suffer terribly in soft soil and deep fallen leaves. Where the sled actually glided better than on wheels.
I used this method for over 20 years, and my hunting buddies shortly started doing the same. Carts are great on trails and open Prarie, but are in my opinion a pain in rough terrain and on obstacles from hole tree trunks to limbs bigger than a wrist. They jerk to a stop often, where the sled slowly slides along with slightly more leaning forward keeps it going without yanking and struggling to get ocross the obsticle.
Today older and still hunt the hardwoods seldom 1/4 mile or more from the truck, I use my "JET-SLED" I have for ice fishing. At 70 years old for grading in the woods and timber I would never a use a cart again on wheels.
Add snow and ice to the hunting terrain, and the wheels cart gets to be even more work, while the sled runs into auto pilot, just don't try pulling it down hill, get behind it, even on weeds and leaves!
Enjoying what we love as we age requiers learning to adapt, overcome, and to persevere! Good exercise is what I used to consider doing things the hard way,,, THEM DAYS ARE OVER!
