Looking at options on building a simple but effective game hoist and skinning rack out at our property. I like the idea of just using some steel pipe with a winch and pulley or something similar. Want it to be permanently installed into the ground which is dirt. Would love to see what you guys are using to get some ideas on what would best suite my needs. Any pics would be much appreciated.

This is what I use but an old swing set works too.

Here’s a picture of our cleaning rack.
All the winches and pulleys are from Harbor Freight.
We used a post hole digger and set the pole in concrete b

Works great.

Here’s a picture of a simple skinning rack my dad and I built. Base is a light weight folding saw horse and the top is a wooden “V” that is bolted down. I can get better pictures and measurements if you’d like

I didn't take pictures, but I should have, at my last lease. Two rings in the concrete below the winch cable, with a cinch hitch cable attached to each. You pull up, ring all four legs with your knife and lob off the four legs with limb loppers, or find the joint, whatever. Cut the head off. Skin back the hide of the back upper legs with your knife and feed that through the cable cinches. Start cranking the winch and voilá, the hide just peels off. 'Takes a little practice to know when to slow down when the skin pops off the neck, but you'll get the hang of it.

This is what I built at my place. Got the winches, pulleys, gambrels all from Amazon and welded them on to the porch.

This is pretty much what I had in mind. What size square tubing did you use? How tall did you make it and how far into the ground did you set it? Looks great man.

I can somewhat picture this in my mind. Not sure what cinch hitch cables are but I think I get the idea. Might try to incorporate this idea in whatever I end up doing. Thanks.

^^^You have to pour a small slab and put two eye bolts in wet, shoulder width apart. Then, when cured, put two short lengths of cable through with clamp bolts, each looped on itself. You put the hide through the loop and crank it taunt to grip. Then crank away. It really cuts down on skinning time.

This design is newer (& more expensive) than their old one. I bought one years ago to build my feeder from. I stole the design and welded another for a 3 legged cleaning hoist. If I recall, the legs are from a chain link fence supplier. Bolt on a hand crank winch and you're done.
https://www.bossbuck.com/header-w-pulley-tripod/

Pressure treated 4/4s set in concrete with a cheap Harbor Freight winch.

Same here.

Tractor buckets work, I've cleaned more pigs than I can count with a bucket when I was trapping hard.

Wish I could help you. I have one that we used made out of tube steel, double pulley, two piece bolt together. I'm in Denton. I would have to get photos if interested. $250

We built this one at my brothers, have one just like it at the ranch. Never used the FEL but it’s there if I need it.

that's better than sporty

Don't forget water. A hosepipe is essential. A holder of some sort to hang it so you can grab the nozzle easily is a time saver. At the club we have a tote with pump. At home it's the usual.

The winch with two pulleys is great because you can have the winch at elbow level and the cable out of your way. I have mine on trees and set up so I can easily remove everything for storage in the off-season. The chain between trees stays up, but it's so high as to go un-noticed.

A winch with a brake and made so you can use a rechargeable drill is nice but more complicated than just a manual boat winch. If I had power out there I'd have used an electric atv winch. I would also have a light instead of hanging a lantern every time. We only do half a dozen per year so more complicated isn't worth the trouble.

The V-trough is great for prep cuts before hoisting up. I know a fella who only uses the trough, but he has an electric winch at one end which pulls the deer up slightly as it pulls the hide off. (Golf ball method) He uses a hose to spray as he goes which he says keeps the hair to a minimum. I'm not convinced, but his method is quick and easy.