Hey Guys,
Just curious which (if any) type of turkey tote everyone here prefers, paracord or leather? I've recently made a couple from leather and paracord (pictured), and to me it seems there are pros and cons to both...
PARACORD PROS:
1. Lightweight.
2. Easy to pack.
3. Inexpensive.
4. Tough/strong.
5. Would have a length of rope/cordage (6'-20' strand depending on turkey tote construction technique) if needed.
6. Can be made in your favorite team colors, camo, etc...
7. Can be made in several ways (over the shoulder, shoulder/body carry, looped ends, ringed ends, etc...).
PARACORD CONS:
1. Not a lot of variety (they're all kind of the same).
2. The "over the shoulder" loop-type (pictured) ties up at least one of your hands.
LEATHER PROS:
1. Could be bespoke/custom made for the individual user.
2. Tough/strong.
3. Traditional-looking (assuming turkey totes have been around for a long time?)
4. Can be made several ways as well (over the shoulder, shoulder/body carry, looped ends, ringed ends, etc...).
LEATHER CONS:
1. Heavier than paracord/rope.
2. Doesn't pack as easily as paracord.
In advance, I appreciate everyone's input! Please feel free to give input on what you prefer and why! Just trying to build products that suit the intended users!
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk4/lowes48_photo/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/B8F4ACAE-508A-4436-8959-90F86555CE4D_zpsikzf2kyy.jpg) (http://s276.photobucket.com/user/lowes48_photo/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/B8F4ACAE-508A-4436-8959-90F86555CE4D_zpsikzf2kyy.jpg.html)
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk4/lowes48_photo/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/9925391C-D64B-4D89-8F15-656B312D9267_zpsqs0twbkh.jpg) (http://s276.photobucket.com/user/lowes48_photo/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/9925391C-D64B-4D89-8F15-656B312D9267_zpsqs0twbkh.jpg.html)
(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk4/lowes48_photo/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/14BE20EA-990F-4C20-865B-39CA3C58BDF6_zpss41c37nm.jpg) (http://s276.photobucket.com/user/lowes48_photo/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-05/14BE20EA-990F-4C20-865B-39CA3C58BDF6_zpss41c37nm.jpg.html)
I like paracord because it packs easy.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Between the two, I'd pick leather to spread the weight on my shoulder. That said, the one I've used for years is a combination of paracord and neoprene. Light, stows easy and it carries well. Only downside is it was a production item and isn't exactly nice looking. Combine those and make it look good, and you'd have the best of both worlds.
Neither, I use a blaze orange carry bag by H.S.Strut, keeps the blood off my clothes, and is more safety minded as well.
This is the main reason why I don't use a tote. Who wants all that blood all over their clothes, and then your going to jump in your vehicle?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/PKay2004/zIMG_20160423_102433_zpsmirrmbw3.jpg)
I prefer leather simply because I think they look more traditional.
I'd rather have leather
Thanks for the replies, Guys! Prices are $20.00 for the paracord and $35.00 for the leather.
Quote from: maytom on May 18, 2016, 04:43:05 PM
Neither, I use a blaze orange carry bag by H.S.Strut, keeps the blood off my clothes, and is more safety minded as well.
This !
My duck straps are all paracord. I like low maintenance and my son is a whiz at braiding them.
I also used one to haul a turkey 15 feet off the ground so I could keep hunting after my buddy called my first ever for me. Lots of coyotes and bears in those woods and we were a long way from the truck and had a bird still gobbling fairly close to us after my shot. We did not get him, but my bird was just a swingin, right where he left him. And my son was pissed when I made him rebraid my lanyard, which was an added bonus!
I prefer the turkeys legs if I'm close to the truck, the game bag on my vest if I'm not. A turkey in a game bag might not look as cool as one slung over your shoulder, but it's a heck of a lot more comfortable.
I do too, now. Most of the time, hung over my shoulder. It just feels good toting him by the legs. Very long walks, he goes in the vest. I don't even know where that tote got to. I think I converted it to a duck strap-which I hardly ever use either.
I HAD SOME STRAPS PERSONALIZED FOR MYSELF AND HUNTING BUDDIES OUT OF LEATHER .. I JUST LIKED THE COOL FACTOR... AND IT MEANT SOMETHING TO THEM BEING PERSONALIZED.. BUT THATS JUST ME
Para cord for me. One end over legs one end over the head with an old bread bag over the head to stop blood from getting all over the place. I carry it like a duffel bag.
I use neither, I've got a tote made by gerber, it's got the plastic handle and ruler on it. I save the plastic bags that my news paper comes in on rainy days. Have an Alaskan game bag for turkeys. Slide the plastic bag over his bloody head, slide it into the game bag and attach the tote.
Have both leather and paracord, and use both. They are the sling type with one loop for the head and the other for the feet. Both are comfortable, compact and I can see no weight difference in either. I also find this style to be more comfortable than most vests I've used over the years due to how they distribute the weight. I comfortably carried a 20lb+ bird out this year on one for over two miles with no issues.
I own both and have for several years and always find myself taking the paracord to the woods with me. It's lighter, folds up to a smaller footprint and really is just my preference for toting one out. If the paracord option was not available, I would have no problem using the leather tote.
:camohat: I use a Hangman leather tote from CaneCutter turkey calls and like it. Just toss it in my gamebag in my vest and works like a charm.
The ones I have had made were all paracord like yours but I had them widen the area that would be on your shoulder. By adding an inch or two to the width makes long totes out of the woods more comfortable. Just a thought.
If you would be willing to modify a couple with the wider area I would be interested in buying some. The friends son who used to make them has gotten out of it.
PM me if intetested.
Thx Brian
I like the looks of the paracord ones, but I haven't taken the time to learn how to braid so I just made my own out of a piece of leather about the size of a boot shoe tongue, glued some carpet foam padding to it, and added a nylon cord to either end to attach the turkey's head and feet. It may be a little bigger than those shown, but it comfortably carried a bird on two occasions some 20 minutes back to the truck without stopping and, since I already had the materials, cost me nothing to make.
I like leather totes
I make these leather ones
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt156/noxbigbuck2008/10989179_687902348021143_2528284196696130901_n_zpseixmj4sr.jpg) (http://s607.photobucket.com/user/noxbigbuck2008/media/10989179_687902348021143_2528284196696130901_n_zpseixmj4sr.jpg.html)
Quote from: duxrus on May 19, 2016, 11:06:21 PM
The ones I have had made were all paracord like yours but I had them widen the area that would be on your shoulder. By adding an inch or two to the width makes long totes out of the woods more comfortable. Just a thought.
If you would be willing to modify a couple with the wider area I would be interested in buying some. The friends son who used to make them has gotten out of it.
PM me if intetested.
Thx Brian
PM sent!
Quote from: tha bugman on May 20, 2016, 12:03:34 PM
I make these leather ones
Hey Bud,
Yes, I've seen your's and I like it - simple, effective and a great price! Good stuff!
While I do not have a tote I would probably go with the para cord because it takes up less room. I have always thought one would be handy for one of those up and down hill,2 mile walks back to the truck
I use a Primos turkey tote. The one I have is all blaze orange and has hauled countless birds miles out of the mountains. The wide strap makes it fairly comfortable.
I don't use either although years ago I used 1/8" cord. I used a H.S. Strut orange carry bag for a few years but when I got my Mossy Oak Super Elite III vest that ended. I put mine in the large pouch in the rear of the vest and flip out the orange marker.