game bags

[AkDan]

Definatly understand carrying it...if weight is kept down.  If its possible anyways.   I think in general we carry too much as a hole.   Learning to chase sheep we learned atleast over time the things we can live without.  Intially for a 2 week hunt our packs were 75lbs, now they are 20-25lbs lighter for 2 guys or more.   I do believe though and atleast for me, what I carry is very indicative of where I'm at.   In my wyoming elk hunt I only carried a small day pack, which is typically all I carry up here though opting for a full frame (have yet to go to an internal, something I'd like to try at some point), a little extra cloths, days worth of food and my pack stove along with a tarp typically rounds it out.  When i chase sheep I prefer the pillow cases so I can carry them, but rarely do if the tents still up.  It doesnt mean I dont expect to kill anything.  It does create more work.  But in the end I believe I do much better with a lighter day pack than heavier.    The heavier my pack becomes the more likely I am to ditch it on a stalk.  My 02 ram stands out in this one.  a 12 hour 46 minute stalk from the time I saw the ram that morning till the time I loosed the arrow.   Somewhere on that mountain, close to dark in the foggy rain was my frame pack with enough gear to over night if needed.  

Salt and some form of removing antlers are only needed for cape's horns.  In 02 after visiting another camp on the upper green one day noticing a large bull head laying there, I offered to skin and turn that hide for them.  They lost it in the heat.   Even when carrying out antlers some form of saw is nice to have, its amazing how much a ram/bulls head weighs!    There's some lighter than a wyoming saw but there is little better.   I only carry when weights not an issue, in its place I carry a t handled bone/wood saw when weights an issue.

I like that idear of panty hose, definatly has my attention.  Anyway to shave a pound.  Right now a 12 day pack is 52 +/- a pound or two for a solo sheep camp. This would nock another pound or so off.   I dont know how many pillow cases I'd need using the size I use for an elk, but I have enough for a caribou/sheep/bear.   Moose I do prefer the big heavy bags due to weight and durability.   My only concern with panty hose is like the cheese cloth bags, they do little to keep dirt/bugs off or protect the meat during packing as a hole.   The tag bags are a nice intermediate bag though a little pricy compared to pillow cases and I think the weight's about the same or very close.  

I do prefer to hang though I dont like aging.   If i have to due to being in the field is one thing.  Once the meat is cold throughout I typically like to butcher the next day or a day later if possible.   I have and have had friends use coolers but its not a normal thing up here. We dont have the heat yall have in september typically.  Though we do start caribou hunting july 1.  Just prepared the bugs are a site to behold.

there's definatly many ways to skin this cat....and honestly i dont think any one is wrong.  Running 2 miles for game bags seems almost foolish though we've done that too lol.   Than again so does carrying 5lbs of bags saws etc all over the woods for months with no shots.   Sometimes I long for a simple tree stand and the deer trails at the farm again and every once in awhile I get to enjoy the simplicity of it all.

[Montanawidower]

I think you guys have hashed it out properly.  It depends on the hunt and the proximity to camp/truck.  I fall into the camp that says bring two knives, a diamond sharpener, a couple of bags, and some cord, with you all the time.  Total weight is maybe two pounds.  With that you can get started on the spot and get 90% of your work done at the kill site.  No wasted trips.  


For elk, we don't take salt or saws.  We simply skin the skull and remove the lower jaw. Both only require a stout, sharp knife. ( OK a stick and a kick for the jaw also but those are weightless).

 Doing so removes a ton of weight from the elk head.  I kind of laugh when I see pictures of guys hauling giant elk heads on their back with half a cape and the tongue hanging out!   So much extra weight!.  

With that said, it is tuff work to properly turn out lips and lids on a cape.  I guess if I was into full mounts, (or ever killed a bull worthy of one) I'd change my tune.  

[AkDan]

U can typically sell a cape, plus it's good practice for the day comes you down a animal for your own wall.   I haven't yet mainly because of weight.  If I carry a hide out I am going to mount it.  Or I am skinning and turning for a friend   Those boys spent a couple bills to replace that hide.

[Roadkill]

Tyvek, the materiel used to wrap modern houses is like goretex.  Moisture out, but not in.  A couple of sheets weigh nothing, but gives you shelter , and a place to place meat as it is quarteted.  Fits in my pack nicely and gives me a poncho

[Montanawidower]

It took me a while to find the photo from last year of one of our bulls.  
 

The boneless meat goes into the two bags we're carrying.   Makes for a clean, great tasting bull.  

Don't forget to plan out the shadows movement so the meat is shaded for as long as possible.

[NO SIGHTS]

As far as durability of the panty hose bags, they are just as durable as the cheap ones you can buy at walmart. (allen i think).But weigh lots less.
I also like to debone meat so they work well for that. they cant hold lots of weight, maybe 20lbs max each. But i carry alot of them.
They can hang in a tree if you do it right and they are not too heavy.
It may not be the "BEST" bag in the world, but they work and you wont know that you are carrying them.
Pack frame and rope is all i've ever used to get meat home, so I wouldn't know if they would lash well to a horse.

[AkDan]

nice bull man!!!  think I missed the invite for the bbq though   !  good stuff!


Thanks NS.  Thats my biggest concern with them.  That and they do really no protection against dirt or anything.   I like laying a tarp out and laying meat filled bags or quarters until they are bagged out to keep things from getting hair or dirt/leaves on them.    They are light for sure!