Pinewood Drag Tray

Over the years several drag trays have come onto the market but most are only suitable for small deer species or low numbers of smaller animals. Wildwood Supplies have now provided us with an answer with their big drag tray!

Big and Tough

Their tray is the largest I have seen and measures 1280 x 820 x 260mm deep and weighs 9kg. There is a strong 40mm lip all around the rim, which provides a handhold for lifting and is very robust. Two of us have lifted the tray with around 130kg of carcass weight and it gave no indication of weakness. This strength is due to the construction as one sheet of non-porous, polypropylene plastic is moulded so there are no cracks or joints to give weak points.

The base has eight gullies which are 30mm wide and 20mm deep, helping to keep carcasses from lying in blood.  These also assist when dragging as they give less surface area, so acting like runners on the ground. It’s also impact, oil and chemical resistant, frost proof to -40°C and heat resistant to 100°C it can also floats; but most importantly it’s food-friendly. I say this as these days it’s imperative that all animals destined for the food chain arrive there in prime condition, and that journey begins the moment we extract them from the field. 

Drag Rope

On one end there is a heavy duty, 18mm, polypropylene rope which is attached with wire grips, external and internal battens and stainless bolts. These are all weather resistant and food-friendly being easily cleanable. This is strong enough to pull the tray when fully loaded, so ideal to either drag by hand or behind a quad bike. There’s also an optional cover. Made from 360-gram, heavy-duty tarpaulin, at either end are 100 x 300mm fly-resistant vents allowing an air flow to help with carcass cooling. This is held in place with integral 6mm bungees which secure around the rim.

Having used the tray for ten months I have only found one small niggle, in that the rope could do with being longer as the taller user can catch their heels on it whilst dragging. It is easy to clean and there is no moulded grain in the plastic to hold dirt or blood. It can also be used to carry other items like tools or fencing equipment to areas accessible only on foot or quad bike, so cutting out extra journeys and hard work.

The beauty of this product is that it has been produced by professional wildlife managers, so through practical experience and field use they have come up with a first class design. Another strong selling point is that it’s made in the UK by a British Standard ISO Certified company.

PRICE: £125 + £25p&p
FITTED COVER: £35 + £6 p&p
TRAY AND COVER  £185 Inc (p&p)

FOR - Tough, versatile and practical
AGAINST - Might be seen as a bit pricey
VERDICT -  A well thought out bit of kit for professional and sport hunters alike