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Outdoor Life published a hands-on comparison of three deer carts, testing them with a doe across grass, gravel, leaves, timber and uneven ground. It named the River’s Edge Game Cart best overall, the Hawk Crawler Multi-Use Cart best folding, and the Cabela’s Deer Cart best heavy-duty; the report’s supplied excerpt includes detailed specifications and findings for the first two models, but not the Cabela’s review.
Outdoor Life published a field test of three deer carts, hauling a doe over grass, gravel, leaves, timber and uneven ground to compare how the models handled loads and terrain. The report named the River’s Edge Game Cart best overall, the Hawk Crawler Multi-Use Cart best folding cart, and the Cabela’s Deer Cart best heavy-duty option, giving hunters a side-by-side guide to alternatives to dragging game by hand.
Writer Natalie Krebs said the test involved a fat Midwestern doe and multiple hunters with different ages and physical abilities. The team also wheeled each cart empty, loaded them into and out of a pickup, and considered assembly, noise, maneuverability and construction. Testing covered grass, gravel and uneven ground, along with leaves and timber; the article does not report standardized measurements of effort or travel time.
The River’s Edge Game Cart was the lightest model in the test at 29 pounds, with a 300-pound stated capacity, aluminum frame and two 16-inch solid rubber tires. Krebs praised its assembly without tools, maneuverability and price of $130. She also noted trade-offs: it does not fold without partial disassembly, its open-spoke wheels can catch sticks, and its capacity is lower than the other carts. The report recommends straps for securing a deer on longer or rougher hauls.
The Hawk Crawler Multi-Use Cart weighs 45 pounds and has a stated 500-pound capacity, a steel frame, four inflatable tires and a sling. Its folding design and double-axle arrangement were presented as useful for negotiating logs and other obstacles; the sling can also carry loads such as seed or bait. Its drawbacks include higher weight, tires that can go flat, and a price listed at $320, though the report said it could be found for $200. The source material identifies Cabela’s as the heavy-duty winner but does not provide that model’s detailed review in the supplied excerpt.
Choosing a Cart for the Haul Out
For hunters who cannot drive close to a harvested deer, getting the animal back to a vehicle can mean a strenuous drag or multiple trips. Krebs frames carts as a way to reduce the physical work of hauling, but the test shows that no single design suits every route: weight, capacity, wheel type, terrain and storage all involve trade-offs.
The comparison may help readers match equipment to their hunting conditions rather than choosing only by capacity or price. A lighter cart may be easier to carry and maneuver, while a folding design may simplify storage and a larger-capacity model may be preferable for heavier loads. The results are practical observations from one test, not a controlled finding that a cart will perform identically on every trail or for every user.
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How the Field Test Worked
The report was published by Outdoor Life on October 2, 2026, as a gear review focused on hauling deer. Its stated test included loaded and empty carts, several kinds of terrain, and transport in a pickup. Those details matter because a cart that moves easily on open ground may handle differently around timber, logs, slopes or loose surfaces.
Krebs describes the River’s Edge model as light and simple, while the Hawk Crawler is heavier and built around a folding frame, sling and four-wheel setup. The article also notes that the River’s Edge model’s 16-inch wheels provide ground clearance but could contribute to tipping over larger logs or steep inclines. The source excerpt names the Cabela’s Deer Cart as the heavy-duty pick, but does not include its specifications or the reasoning behind that ranking.
“Overseas”
— An Ardisam customer service representative, as quoted by Outdoor Life
Limits of the Published Comparison
The report’s findings reflect the tested doe, terrain and participating hunters; the provided material does not state that the results were independently replicated or measured through timed trials. Individual performance may vary with load size, trail conditions and the person operating the cart. The article also cautions that the River’s Edge frame may tip on larger logs or steep inclines and that inflatable tires on the Hawk can lose air.
The available source text does not include the detailed Cabela’s Deer Cart review, its price, weight, capacity or specific strengths and weaknesses. It also does not establish current retail availability or whether listed prices have changed since publication. Outdoor Life disclosed that it may earn revenue from products on its page and participate in affiliate programs.
Check Fit Before Buying
The report offers recommendations rather than announcing a product release or a forthcoming test. Hunters considering a cart can compare the stated capacity, weight, wheel type and folded dimensions against the size of the loads they expect to move and the terrain they hunt. They should also check current product details and pricing with sellers, since the article’s listed prices may not reflect later listings.
For a fuller comparison of all three picks, readers would need the complete Outdoor Life review, particularly the missing Cabela’s section. The supplied report does not identify a next testing date or additional models scheduled for review.
Key Questions
Which deer cart did Outdoor Life name best overall?
Outdoor Life named the River’s Edge Game Cart best overall. Reviewer Natalie Krebs highlighted its 29-pound weight, tool-free assembly and maneuverability, while noting its 300-pound capacity and lack of a simple folding mechanism.
Which cart was selected as the best folding option?
The Hawk Crawler Multi-Use Cart was named best folding. It folds without disassembly and has a sling and double-axle design, but weighs 45 pounds and uses inflatable tires that can go flat.
What terrain did the test cover?
The test included grass, gravel, uneven ground, leaves and timber. Outdoor Life also tested the carts empty and loaded them into and out of a pickup.
What did the report say about the Cabela’s cart?
The article’s supplied excerpt identifies the Cabela’s Deer Cart as the heavy-duty pick, but does not include its detailed specifications or review findings. Those details cannot be confirmed from the provided material.
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