I need some input from those of you who use your Cherokee out hunting. How do you carry your deer after the kill? Do you throw it on a roof rack, on a tarp in the back, or...??? The roof rack idea would keep the blood out of the interior, but it seems like it would be a pain to get up there especially by myself. I also looked at the racks that insert into the receiver hitch, but I'm afraid it would drag too much in the terrain I hunt, even if it was folded up. Thanks for any input.

 

The deer down here are more like large dogs. I use a hitch mounted rack. I will not put any game in the cabin, I'd rather tie it off across the hood.

 

Yeah, our deer can get up to around 300 lbs. That's why I don't think I could get one up on a roof rack.

 

I'd never use an SUV for hunting. having a truck bed makes things so much easier, but since you already have the XJ I think a hitch basket is gonna be your best bet, either that or cut the back of the XJ off and make it an SUT.

 

Hitch basket would be great. But I throw deer in the back quartered up.

 

I plan on bedlining the jeep and just throwing the deer in the back. You can try using a basket but if your like me you probably drag the rear bumper alot. Only solution for that is more lift lol

 

In Wisconsin we had to transport our deer with ear tag visible until we registered it. I cringe thinking about seeing people with hitch haulers and the mud, road salt, slush, exhaust fumes, etc all over their deer. Who'd want to eat or serve that to family or friends? I designed this fold down rack to address those issues as well as others and still allow full access to the hatch.

 

I dont like the idea of all that either thats why Im bed lining my XJ so I can just wash everything out at the end of the day. I like your rack tho

 

Put mine on the rack to get em back to camp

 

My hood gets hot enough to roast a deer over. It would be well done by the time I got home. :P

 

Here in Arkansas, we can register online or by phone (I think). I usually process my animals and wrap them up and carry them in the back.

 

I just pile what I kill in the back. You would be surprised by how big of a critter you can fit in the back of a cherokee.