Best Deer Hoist Reviews of 2021 (Buying Guide)
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Looking for a good hoist for those big deer catches? Don’t worry we’ve got all the top models listed for you to consider for hoisting those big game. Hunting and killing deer is all part of the thrill of hunting, but cleaning up after and transporting your catch can be a chore even at the best of times. You don’t want to be manually lifting a deer or elk as they’re far too heavy and would simply do your back in when trying to raise one.
A game lift is perfect for getting your deer in the air and allowing you to get into all those tough areas that are very difficult to get into when your catch is lying on the ground. A specially designed hoist with the right weight capacity for your type of deer hunting is ideal for allowing you to weigh your catch, get it in your vehicle or rack and even field dress it there and then with no issues.
There are a few different styles of game hoists that can be bought such as a bumper hitch mounted, tripod and even tree attached models. Each model varies in regards to weight capacity, quality and price. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the 5 very best deer hoists on the market to buy, with a buyers guide and reviews to give you confidence when looking for the right buy.
Top 5 Rated Models Comparison Table
Image | Hoist | Weight Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Rage Powersports DEER-HOIST-SWIVEL 360 Editors Choice | 500 lbs. | |
 | 300 lbs. | ||
 | 500 lbs. | ||
 | 500 lbs. | ||
 | 300 lbs. |
Reviews of The Best Deer Hoists
The number one pick on our list of the best deer hoists is the Range Powersports Hitch Mounted Deer-Hoist Swivel 360. What is appealing to many hunters with this model, is the fact that this unit converts a truck or atv's hitch into an excellent game hanging point ideal for cleaning your big game. This makes it the perfect solution for getting that big catch straight onto your truck bed after skinning or cleaning, without having to break your back lifting it manually. The hoist comes with a swivel-base design that includes a life strap, gambrel, and winch. The dimensions of this unit are 37.5 x 27 x 98.5 inches and also has a weight capacity of 500 lbs. The height is also adjustable and can be extended from 70" to 87", with the foot base also extending from 0.25" to 11.5".
What stands out with this model is its impressive weight capacity that it offers. 500 lbs is more than your average lifter and is ideal for those huge game catches. The construction and the options that it provides are also attractive to any hunter, as you can more than easily get stuck into your game from a verity of different angles thanks to its adjustability. The extendable foot also adds some great stability to the hanger, ensuring that your catch isn't going to swing around while attending to it. The steel framework design is solid and built to last, ensuring that you get plenty of seasons out of your purchase regardless of what it goes through.
What we didn't like was the durability of the strap provided. Considering the price tag that it wears, you would expect the strap to be of better quality. The price that it demands is more than the other models on the list. However, it more than merits it in our opinion.
The Range Powersports Deer-Hoist Swivel 360 is our top choice on the market and is a serious investment, for the serious hunter. If you're looking for the perfect model to attach to your truck or trailer, then this is the best hitch-mounted model and should be where you spend your money.
Verdict: Best Overall
Pros
- Has an adjustable height
- Maximum weight capacity of 500 lbs.
- A 360-degree pivot design for easier game loading
- Heavy steel construction
Cons
- The strap is not the most durable
- More expensive than the others - for a reason
Another hugely popular pick from the well-known manufacturer Guide Gear, the Deluxe Deer Hoist has lots going for the money it demands. The fun begins with its easy setup and use thanks to the winch provided. This makes dressing big game easier than ever with the Swivel lift pulley system that it offers. It can swivel a full 360 degrees to make it easier for you to unload your deer or elk.
This model is also very straightforward to attach to your truck’s receiver hitch. The manual crank can support 300 lbs worth of game thanks to the strong cable that helps to raise it into the right position. Another great point is that it’s easy to break down for transportation and storage. The rugged steel construction is very durable and will last for years to come. To ensure your load is in place, the bracket locks the gambrel, and you can gently position your game where you want it to be. So for a high-quality lift system that has a bit of everything and is budget friendly, then the Guide Gear Deluxe Deer Hoist should definitely be considered.
Pros
- Makes a 360-degree swivel to unload big game
- Easy hitch attachment to the truck
- Strong cables to raise your game
- Durable steel construction
- Great price
Cons
- The winch may not be able to handle too much weight
- A little bit shorter than other hoists
Again making our list from the well-known Rage Powersports is this freestanding tripod game lift with a gambrel. Coming in at 9 feet tall this lift includes a manual winch and has a weight capacity of 500 lbs. With heavy-duty steel construction, the Rage tripod deer hanger can be easily folded away and setup where you like. The height can be adjusted of this hoist is adjustable and has a 360-degree swivel base. The dimensions of this tripod come in at 72 x 72 x 108 inches and is a little bit heavier at 50 lbs.
There are lots to like about this hoist, starting out with the quality construction that it sports. The build quality is up there as one of the best and should last you a long time. The hoist can also hold up to 500 lbs of game which is one of the better capacity lifts on the market, and should more than comfortably hold your big deer. One major draw of this model is the fact that it's foldable and can be assembled very easily and used where ever you like thanks to its ground spike legs. The price that this comes in at is very reasonable as well when compared with other similar models.
One thing that can be off-putting with this model is how much it weighs. It is typically heavier than most other models, though it can be folded away easily which makes it easy to transport about. We would recommend buying a good bag to carry it around. Another thing that may be a problem for some hunters depending on your needs is the fact that this does not have a hitch mount.
Overall If you need a good priced hoist that is very easy and quick to setup where ever you want, then this is an excellent long-term investment for you. It includes everything you'll need including a gambrel and should be more than capable of hoisting any big game. Just remember that if you're looking for a model with a hitch mount, then this is not the right option for you.
Pros
- Easy to setup and use
- Good quality construction
- Holds up to 500 lbs
- Can be used anywhere since it's free-standing
- Comes with gambrel
- Well-priced
Cons
- Heavier than most models - although can be folded away
- No hitch mount
The ForEverlast Hanger Portable Tripod is another top rated model that easily makes our top list. This unit features a strong winch and chain which offers a 500 pound weight capacity to help eliminate all the stress of big game out the woods. Just like the Rage Deer-Hoist Swivel 360 hoist, the Game Hanger Tripod has a 360 degrees pivot design to make it easy to lift the deer up for skinning or gutting. The steel construction will ensure that it will last many hunting seasons.
Its compactness is a plus point in most cases as you can leave it in your car and use the Portable Tripod to load the catch onto your truck. It's also effortless to set up and is collapsible within minutes. This skinner Tripod Game Hoist carries a heftier price tag than most other models and is not suitable for every budget.
Overall, the Game Hanger Tripod is an excellent pick for those looking for a reliable winch to hoist big game that will last for years to come. This is a higher-priced model so consider if it meets all your requirements carefully before purchasing.
Pros
- Heavy duty winch system
- A galvanized tubing for durability
- Provides a weight capacity of 500 lbs.
- Portable
Cons
- The winch lock is not great
- More expensive
The new Viking Solutions is another suitable option for hoisting that only just makes our list. It’s lightweight coming in at just 17.5 lbs. It’s also designed to be fast and easy to set up and use. Within minutes, you can have it attached to a pole or tree, and you're ready to go. The crank winch can hold up to 300 lbs, and you have the freedom to set it at the desired height.
Carrying the Viking Solutions in your truck is convenient, and you can crank heavy game high enough to dress or load onto your vehicle at any time. The powder coat finish winch features machined pulleys that make this winch easy to use and will offer great functioning for years. It is designed for hoisting game; however, you can also use it to crank up feeders or any other items in woods easily.
Overall the price is ok for what you get, nothing special. It can do the job just fine and is best suited for mounting to trees in the woods, though it is not a recommended lifter for getting game into your vehicle. It will last you a long time, however, only having a weight capacity of 300 lbs it may not be adequate for every game hunter.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable to carry around
- Has a powder coat finish that will last
- Fast and straightforward attachment to a tree or pole
Cons
- Can only hold up to 300 lbs.
- No foot base
- Can't set it up at your truck
What to Look For Before Buying a Good Game Lift
Since there is a lot of deer hoist models out there on the market today, choosing the right one that fits your requirements may seem tricky. Getting the best deer hoist for your needs is pretty simple, you just need to examine and compare the key features that each model offers.
Although you can use these for other purposes such as lifting a generator into your truck for example, here are the key points to look out for when buying a game lift:
Quality and Type of Construction
Before purchasing a potential deer lift, you may wish to look at the type of construction it offers. Although they're less expensive to produce, plastic lifts lack the long-lasting characteristics that a good quality model requires. The best make of deer or elk hoists are those made of metal and steel construction. There are other hand-held versions that will allow the hoist to be productive in poor weather conditions.
Strength / Weight Capacity
The construction of a good elevator should be strong and able to comfortably handle large game. The patented main bracket is what determines the strength of each hoist. It ensures the weight is evenly distributed through the main bracket, up the cables and the tree or post. Always check what weight capacity your desired lift offers, as you don't want to end up with a 450 to 500 pound career-best deer or elk catch with a lift not strong enough to hoist it up.
Hitch Mounted Attachment
Some models have a bumper hitch attachment with them making it easy to get it hooked up to your truck, ATV, or trailers receiver hitch. This is a handy feature if you need to get your catch onto a truck, trailer or atv bed without straining yourself. However, most models don't offer this so if it's a requirement then check our list to see what hoists are truck mounted.
Pivoting Design
Do you want something with a 360° pivot design so that you can swivel your hitch mounted or standard style hoist around to suit? Some models offer this which can make attaching your catch to it and getting it onto your truck or trailer much easier. A swivel design also turns your deer hoist into the perfect cleaning and skinning station, allowing you to gut those awkward areas with your knife.
Portability
Depending on how you intend to use it, you may want a mobile or portable hanging option that can be carried around with you and setup anywhere. It should be lightweight, collapsible/foldable and be easy to transport in your truck or rack. The setup should also be straightforward and easy, as the last thing you want is to leave a deer lying for some time while you struggle to set the hoist up.
Durability
A good deer hoist should come with solid construction and a tough coating, ensuring that your investment will last you a long time. Most of the designs use a braided nylon rope. The ideal rope should not fray or rust, thus making it the best choice for withstanding many seasons of poor weather conditions.
Hand or Electric Winch
All the models we have listed above use a manual hand operated winch to lift your downed catch, though you always have the option to add an electric winch to your hoist to make things easier. Typically, you will need to purchase the electric winch separately and will have to attach it yourself to the pole.
Price
The price does not vary massively from model-to-model in this market, and there really isn't much between all the models price wise. It's just a case of finding the deer lift that ticks all the boxes for your needs and requirements. All the models in our reviews are typically around the $100-$150 range; this is the standard price range for a good hoist.
These should be seen as long-term investments, so make sure you choose one that has the weight capacity to handle the level of game you hunt.
Final Word
As more and more hunters take to the woods on game hunting adventures, the need to process and field dress a deer has become even more popular. To do this successfully, you need to use a good deer lift to hold the game up allow the deer to bleed out, also making it easy for the skinning and gutting process. While some hunters are opting to use a garage rafter or a rope tied on a tree limb to pull the deer up, these lifts undoubtedly make things a lot easier and gives you more flexibility with your catch.
That's all for our detailed buying guide and reviews list. We have reviewed some of the best deer hoist choices on the market, laying out exactly what each model offers and what you should be looking for. So, now it's your turn now to get out there with the right equipment and improve your hunting experience tenfold!
