Just gut it and get it out. You are going to have to wash it out anyhow so a little dirt mixed in with the leftovers ain't going to hurt nothing. Don't overthink it. A game cart does make it easier but it's not necessary. I prefer some rope. I can stick it my pocket and it works fine.
It really depends for me. When I go hunting with my uncle who goes to private land then we trasnport it with his 4-wheeler.
When I hunt them at a place that I usually go to, its kinda in the wooded areas so I usually tie around neck with a rope and drag it with my buddy.
I need to get that game card thingy... I really need that bad lol
being naturaly lazy, not 100% able as I once was, and mostly hunt alone, if it's too far and terrain too difficult, don't shoot, it's sometimes just not possible to retrieve without boning out and certainly not worth a heart attack. I set a point beyond which I won't shoot, I may go just to look for curiosity sake. I've held off on easy shots until they are closer to trails/fields. it's nice when you can drive right up to the game. game carts are nice but some places they will just sink. definately something to consider BEFORE you pull the trigger.
This one is easy. Bring two friends with you and have them hunt down the road. When you shoot one use a walkie talkie and have them come "help". You clear the way as they drag it behind you. Got to be smart out in the woods.
I'm one of them "shoot it first, then figure out how to get it out" kind of guys. If it's close enough, I'll just drag it out. A bit farther, I get my game cart out. I've always got a pack frame in my truck just in case the first two options aren't possible. Depending on the size I'll either cut it in half or quarter it and pack it out. That pack frame has packed out lots of deer, elk, moose, bear, caribou, goats, sheep and yes...hogs too. My day pack has everything I need to get it ready for the pack frame and get it started cooling. I carry rope, mesh game bags and a small meat saw with me. I have some cheap walmart pillowcases to put the meat into if I need to actually bone out the animal but I mostly just try to half or quarter it. Once it's ready, I'll hang the pieces or bags of meat in a tree and then head back to the truck for the pack frame.
