What to do with quarters?

[mnbearbaiter]

For elk hunting this fall, im in the process of finding a horse packer to get our quarters out so we can keep hunting(god forbid)! We will be hunting CO GMU 70 in a wilderness area from Sept7-21! We will be carrying a SPOT with to let packer know coordinates of quarters he/she needs to pick up! Upon a kill, do we try to get quarters as close to a main trail as possible to cache our meat? Obviously a shady spot, 8' or so off the ground to avoid unwanted critters getting into it! We will be sewing our own heavy duty game bags, is there anything we could do to the bags prior to goin out to deter flies(vinegar wash, lemon juice, etc), or should we carry white pepper with and dust the bags with like i believe ive read on here before! We are very familliar with the gutless method, and have performed it on a few whitetails for practice! Im assuming leaving the quarters "Bone In" is the way to go for a pack out via horse? Im sure packer will have his/her preferrences, but any help now would be great!

[Canyon]

You have it covered pretty well. I have never added anything to the bags. As long as the bags are a tight weave (not cheese cloth) flies should not be able to get to it

Only thing I would add is if it is extremely hot and you have a cool creek nearby put that meat in trash bags over your game bags to get it cool. Once it is cooled off I still like to get the meat up in the air and out of the plastic.

[mnbearbaiter]

Thanks Canyon...we plan on bringing some thicker/clear plastic bags thatll pack up well to cover game bags for that very purpose! As far as packers go, ive heard alot of em charge in the $300 range to get quarters out, is that fairly accurate? Also, what happens to the meat when they get it out, do they put it under refrigeration in a walk in freezer?

[boznarras]

Try googling citric acid spraying for game meat. You spray it on after making it up from powder. Supposed to change pH and help keep bacteria down.
I just got several hits that explain the idea.

[chanumpa]

Youve got it covered.That packer in Co.will help you as well.Those guys are either good ones or not in business long and are usually really experianced.You guys are going to have a really good time,and will be able to tell when you find the packer that you go with is good or not when you talk to him and kind of check him out.Yea,you could get it done without one,but you will probably be glad you got one.Make your experiance better.Its only money.Take the time and check him out.Co.should have a packer/guide assoc.were you can get refernces as well.A good one will probably have a cooler available at a ranch or something too.Now,what the heck are we gonna do for a Qb for the Vikes?thats what I want to know.

[mnbearbaiter]

Thanks for all the info! LOL, i dont know! Fran Tarkenton looks a little to old to play right now!

[Shedrock]

Good luck on your hunt, I hope you indeed will need a packer!

[eagleone]

If you are backpacking into the wilderness area weight and space are going to be serious issues.  I just use cheesecloth quarter bags - they are light and small. Hang them in the shade but get the meat out as quick as you can, they have always worked great.  We pack our meat out ourselves and it and it has led to additional opportunties on game during the process. Also- WHEN you are following your blood trail watch for big black flies- when that animal dies they seem to come out of nowhere and cover it up.  We located my buddies elk one year because of the flies.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by chanumpa:
Now,what the heck are we gonna do for a Qb for the Vikes?thats what I want to know.

Maybe the Packer can send another one to NY and then to MN    

Good Luck on your hunt.

Ask the Packer questions, I bet you will tell by their responses if they are experienced.  The best question though may be how long they have been packing out game. (and not necessarily for someone else.)