There was another extraction technique available, from around 1943, as you can see about 20 seconds into this video.
It wouldn't become refined as the Fulton Extraction Technique for another dozen or so years though.
Setting up a pick-up zone, as seen at the beginning of the video, was part of my training. A CIA STOL aircraft with hook actually came in to make sure it worked.
I've seen an IRL Fulton Extraction. Better them than me.