Are you looking for a unique and convenient way to carry your turkey after a successful hunt? Look no further than the paracord turkey tote! This handy and stylish accessory is easy to make and will make your life easier in the field.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of making a paracord turkey tote, step-by-step. We’ll also provide you with some helpful tips and tricks to make the process even easier.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Paracord (550 or 750)
- Scissors
- Lighter
- Measuring tape
- Key rings (optional)
Instructions:
- Measure the circumference of your turkey’s body. This will be the length of your tote.
- Cut a length of paracord that is twice the length of your turkey’s body.
- Fold the paracord in half and tie a knot at the end. This will create a loop that you can use to hang the tote from your shoulder.
- Start weaving the paracord in a cobra weave pattern. There are many online tutorials that can show you how to do this.
- Continue weaving until you reach the desired length of the tote.
- Tie off the end of the paracord with a knot.
- (Optional) Attach key rings to the bottom of the tote. This will allow you to easily attach the tote to your belt or backpack.
Tips and Tricks:
- Use a different color of paracord for the loop and the body of the tote to create a more stylish look.
- Add a bead to the end of the loop for decoration.
- Use a thicker paracord (750) if you want a more durable tote.
- Practice the cobra weave pattern on a small piece of paracord before you start weaving the tote.
- Be patient and take your time when weaving the tote. It may take a few tries to get it right.
Making a paracord turkey tote is a fun and rewarding project. With a little time and effort you can create a unique and functional accessory that will make your turkey hunting experience even more enjoyable.
Additional Resources:
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is the best type of paracord to use?
550 or 750 paracord is the best choice for making a paracord turkey tote
- How long should the tote be?
The tote should be long enough to fit around your turkey’s body.
- What is the cobra weave pattern?
The cobra weave pattern is a simple and durable weave that is perfect for making paracord totes.
- Can I add key rings to the tote?
It is possible to attach the tote to your belt or backpack more easily by adding key rings to the bottom of the bag.
We hope this guide has helped you learn how to make a paracord turkey tote. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Make this gobbler hauler with an antler, paracord and a little DIY know-how
Youve been after him since daylight. He dodged you twice in the next two sets, but the fourth time you got in front of him, he flew in the wrong direction and committed. Trouble is, you are now a mile or more from the truck. And this old gobbler is big. Really big.
You can try stuffing your turkey into your vest, but its full of decoys, water bottles, and snacks. The bird’s sharp spurs allow you to grab him by the legs and toss him over your shoulder, but by the time you get back to the truck, he will be stiff and sliding off your arm.
The solution is to keep a turkey tote tucked away in your vest. You can buy totes in several forms, but its easy to make your own. And its a fun off-season project. If you are lucky enough to come across a shed while out turkey hunting, you can use a section of antler to personalize your tote.
We build two styles. Both are made from antler and 550 paracord. You can find paracord at just about any sporting-goods retailer. Choose multiple colors to give your tote a nice look. Dont have an extra antler handy? You can use a short section of hardwood dowel in its place.
A 4-inch section of antler is used as the T-handle on the first tote style we construct. Two sections of drop cord, each about 12 inches long, hang from the handle. Each cord has a sliding loop at the end. Halfway from the handle to the loops, there is another weave of paracord covering the two drops. This allows the tote to rest on your shoulder in a wider area and prevents the cords from tangling in your vest.
To use, simply open the loops and slide one over each leg, down to below the spurs. Cinch the loops up tightly to the legs. Hold the T-handle in your hand with the cord extending out from between your middle and ring fingers. Toss the bird over your shoulder, holding the antler in your hand. The loops hold the legs tightly. To prevent it from digging in, the larger woven portion rests on your shoulder and firmly grips as you move.
Editors note: Check out Michael Pendleys step-by-step photo gallery as you build this DIY project. Title: Material List :
To build these totes, you need paracord, a sharp knife, a lighter and some deer antler.
- Twelve inches of paracord, cut into two sections, each about four feet long and eight feet wide. Use contrasting colors if desired.
- Section of antlers, 4–6 inches long, as straight as possible, and about 1 inch in diameter
- Drill with 3/16-inch drill bit
- Sharp knife or scissors
- Lighter
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 1:
Start by drilling two holes, about a half-inch apart, in the center of the handle.
Tip: Use vice grips or pliers to hold the antler in place as you drill the holes. Tote No. 1 uses a long piece of thicker antler as a grip. Tote No. 2 uses two smaller antler sections. Both are pictured here.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 2:
To run the 4-inch cord, insert one end through the first hole until it reaches the halfway point. Then, turn the cord and insert it through the second hole, extending both ends approximately 2 inches below the T-handle.
Advice: When inserting one end of the 4-inch cord through the antler’s first drilled hole and extracting the other end through the second, make sure the ends are equal.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 3:
Fold the 8-inch section in half, marking the center point with a marker.
Tip: Center the midpoint of the 8-inch section of cord under the two strands below the antler handle.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 4:
Start the weave. It may sound confusing to read, but use the photos for direction. To start, make a loop by looping one side of the long cord—let’s call it side A—over the two droppers from the handle.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 5:
Run side B’s end over side A, then pass it up through the loop that side A made and under the two droppers. Pull snug.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 6:
Now repeat the process by forming the loop on side B. Pass side A over B, under the droppers, then up the loop. Pull snug again. It should now be the first full knot, with a double cross over the droppers and a loop on either side. Slide the finished knot up to the antler handle.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 7:
Continue making the weave until side A and side B run out. You should have 6 to 7 inches of weave down the two dropper lines.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 8:
To keep the weave from unraveling, burn the ends of side A and side B with a lighter. Moreover, in order to prevent the weave from unraveling, form a bulb at the ends of the lines.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 9:
Tie a sliding loop at the end of each dropper line about 12 inches below the handle. Cut off any excess cord and burn the ends.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Turkey Tote No. 1:
Heres your completed Turkey Tote No. 1.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Easy Carry:
And heres how you put it on turkey legs for easy carry.
© Michael Pendley photo
Up next, Turkey Tote No. 2 instructions . . . Title: Turkey Tote No. 2:
Your tool list for Turkey Tote No. 2 is the same as that for Turkey Tote No. 1.
- 20-foot paracord in two sections, 6 inches and 14 inches
- Two segments of antlers, about half an inch in diameter and two inches in length
Tip: See our Step 1 photo (Turkey Tote No. 1) for this smaller antler-size reference.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Step 1, Turkey Tote 2:
Double the 6-foot section of cord.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Next Steps, Turkey Tote 2:
Once you have descended 12 inches on doubled cord, run the 14-foot section beneath the doubled loops to the center point.
Next, weave the lengthy section of cord in the same Cobra pattern until you run out of line. There should be roughly 12 to 13 inches of woven cord total, with a foot of center cord extending out on each side.
Finally, as with the Turkey Tote No. 1 instructions, burn the ends of the cord to prevent unraveling.
Advice: To make a loop that will fit over the turkey’s head and snugly around its neck, double over the looped end after weaving the shoulder straps. Total length on the woven shoulder strap should finish out around 18 to 20 inches.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Final Steps, Turkey Tote 2:
Drill two holes, side-by-side, at the center of the small antler pieces.
After passing through one of the drilled holes and back up through the other, the tag ends of the dropper lines should be burned. Tie an overhand knot at the end to keep the tag ends from going through the hole again.
Tip: Tie an overhand knot and melt the end to prevent the cord from sliding through the antler. Repeat with second dropper.
© Michael Pendley photo Title: Turkey Sling:
Turkey Tote No. 2 works differently than Turkey Tote No. 1. At around 3 inches long, its a turkey sling. Sling the tote over your shoulder, looping the antler end over the turkey’s legs just above the spur, while the bird is hanging by your side. Then, loop the opposite end around its neck. You can wear it on the same shoulder as the bird or wear it diagonally across your body by looping it over your head. You can use both hands to carry guns or other equipment while you victoriously hike back to the truck with this tote.
© Michael Pendley photo