An apparatus is provided for restraining wildlife with minimal trauma to the animal. The apparatus includes a housing having open front and rear ends allowing the entry and exit of a target animal, while the rear end includes an openable/closable door effective for controlling the egress of the target animal from the housing. To immobilize the animal, a deer lift is disposed within the interior of the housing having opposed, outwardly and upwardly inclined surfaces which are vertically movable between a first, lower position and a second, raised position. The opposed surfaces are spaced from one another with the space therebetween defining a narrow passageway allowing the target animal to walk between the opposed surfaces in the lower position. However, the width between the opposed surfaces is sufficiently close such that they engage the trunk or body of the animal when raised.