Game Bags
- Thread starter cokeson
- Start date
wapiti_will
Member
- Dec 28, 2012
- 206
Pro and cons to all the bags I've used. The Kifaru bags don't breath and meat doesn't cool very well when it's warmer. The mesh type Alaskan game bags breath very well and don't dry out the meat that comes in contact with that bag, but don't always prevent flies from laying if the mesh is stretched a lot and can allow more dirt/debris to get on the meat if care isn't taken. The caribou, t.a.g., or allen reusable synthetic fabric bags are nice because you can wash them and reuse them, they also breath fairly well, but I've noticed they seem to wick away blood from the meat and dry it out more in areas that come in contact with the bag (this meat is typically died out enough that is trimmed off an discarded). If you'll be hunting an area/season where heat and flies are a major concern, I'd probably go with a reusable synthetic bag. If you're not concerned about flies, you'll probably get the most processed meat yield from a mesh Alaskan bag as long as you keep it clean.
buglelk
Administrator
- Nov 30, 2012
- 388
I would agree with what wapiti_will said for the most part as well. Keep in mind that there are 2 style of game bags from Alaska Game Bags. One style has the more stretchy mesh, which allows flies to lay eggs if the mesh is really stretched out. They also have another style of game bags that does not stretch out as much, and I've never had any issues with flies. The ones I've used that I've never had issues with are the "Northern" game bags made by Alaska Game Bags:
http://www.elk101store.com/northern-game-bags-ultralight-backpacking-game-bags
For the price, these are hard to beat.
I've also had good luck with the Caribou Gear game bags, and I'm excited to try the new Ovis bags this fall...I've heard they have made them longer to carry a bone-in quarter.
http://www.elk101store.com/northern-game-bags-ultralight-backpacking-game-bags
For the price, these are hard to beat.
I've also had good luck with the Caribou Gear game bags, and I'm excited to try the new Ovis bags this fall...I've heard they have made them longer to carry a bone-in quarter.
I buy whatever is cheapest at sportsmans wearhouse, cabelas, walmart, ect. I haven't ever had problems with any of them. I usually buy 2 or 3 of those game bags that will fit a whole deer in them and then just cut them in half when Im field dressing the critter I just shot. I Then tie off the ends once I put the meat in them. And I don't know what the big deal is about flies. Almost all of my meat is put into a deep freezer so it should kill anything living on the meat, and then I cook it before eating so that should kill anything else that is living in the meat....right? maybe I'm missing something. Anyway I've hunted for 20+ years and as far as I can tell I'm healthy and don't have any worms/flies/parasites living in me from elk. I've actually only started using game bags in the last 8 years mostly to keep dirt and sticks off the meat. Even at that the meat is usually washed once I get home. And the game bags are thrown in the washer with my hunting clothes and washed as well. I think when it comes to some hunting things there is to much thought put into it. Yeah some things are nicer and better and cooler and more practical and more comfortable. Its like rims on a car. Are there cooler ones out there, are there lighter ones for better gas mileage, are there better balanced ones? Heck yeah! But do they really do any better job than cheap stock rims? Just my 2 cents haha.
E
Elk101 Admin
Guest
I cannot agree more. If it works for you then there is no need to change it. The duration of time meat is unable to be cooled, and the proccess at which it is hauled out of the mountains is when game bags really start to make a difference. For those that hunt the backcountry needing to de-bone and quarter and elk, possibly spending more then an entire day packing it out is when particular game bags are needed. I have been told a better synthetic / nylon material will provide adequate ventilation, better fabric strength, outside protection, and better durability for what these types of hunters put their elk meat through.
Really good advice here. For years I used the high stretch Alaskan game bags for sheep, deer and caribou - and I still do because they breath better than anything (be careful tying knots in the end then hanging meat - you can have a heck of an issue getting them untied later). For moose I've always used heavier cotton bags just for the strength and fly issue - but you don't want to do much hiking with them - and no they don't dry out once wet, so long periods of blood soaked fabric leads to bacterial growth. For my hike in NM elk hunt I tried Larry Bartlett's TAG bags - they're really lightweight nylon - super strong for hanging and lifting quarters. Try not to get snags. All in all they worked great, especially where insects and weight are a concern. Only downfall, I would like my bags to breath just a bit more. https://pristineventures.com/game-bag-material-testing/
montanaelk31
Member
- Mar 18, 2014
- 307
I like the northern gamebags by Alaska gamebags. Breathe great, don't have unthreading problems, keeps meat clean and fly free, hose them down and throw them in the wash when done (preferably when ur wife isn't home)
Backpack Hunter
New member
- Jan 2, 2013
- 364
For boned out meat it is hard to beat the TAG BOMB bags.
Esse quam videri
Esse quam videri
Bowhunter1
Member
- Aug 16, 2017
- 369
montanaelk31 said:
X2
Arrows4Elk
New member
- Feb 20, 2014
- 166
I've been using Caribou bags (the same set) the last few years and they work for me.
They pack down small and are lightweight. Cool meat quickly, keep flies and dirt out and are truly reusable.
They pack down small and are lightweight. Cool meat quickly, keep flies and dirt out and are truly reusable.
