DIY Game Bags

[cvandervort]

Does anyone have any pointers on making your own game bags? Would a pillowcase breath enough? Love to hear some thoughts...

[Woodchuck]

I sew old sheets together and put a draw string in them. works really good on those times you get an animal out whole. Goodwill sells sheets cheap. 

[DoubleJ]

I've used pillow cases without issue.  Another trick if you plan on quartering or otherwise doing some butchering in the field is a shower curtain.  They don't weigh much and give you a nice clean surface to roll your animal onto and cut it up.

[Echomules]

Been using old sheets for years. Fold a king sized sheet in half and cut into three or four pieces. If I pin them up for her, my wife only complains a little bit about having to sew them up for me. Don't bother with a drawstring. usually just a wrap of hay twine around the top to close.

I vacuum pack each one into a small tight little package and we each carry one at all times.

These bags end up being about 2-3 by 5 foot (depending on your cut) and especially the large ones are big enough to hold the meat of a boned out elk. We just spread the meat out in one layer on the ground to help with cooling. Being able to cool our meat that fast has really improved the quality of the meat we take home. Granted when you bone out an entire elk into one of these bags, you will not be moving it. But we just return later bringing more bags (some smaller) in with our packframes and load up what you can carry out. These smaller loads can easily be hung in the shade or packed above ice in a cooler. For the hike out we usually tie the bundle up with hay twine like a postage package so we don't test the old sheets strength. When done, wash them out and use again.


Here are a couple bundles of bear meat hanging last year.




And a bundle of elk meat ready for the trip out.

[DoubleJ]

Walmart normally has the Remington game bags on clearance after the season for $2 or less.  Doesn't help you this season but, I think they have them regular price $4-5.

[LiveandLearn]

I've used pillow cases without issue.  Another trick if you plan on quartering or otherwise doing some butchering in the field is a shower curtain.  They don't weigh much and give you a nice clean surface to roll your animal onto and cut it up.

Shower curtain is a good idea for cutting. I have always used a spare poncho I always keep in my pack.

[NRA4LIFE]

Yes, old pillow cases work great.  Very sturdy too.  I carry an 8X8 (or so) piece of thin visqueen to butcher on also.  Very light weight in the pack.

[Blacktail Sniper]

I've used pillow cases without issue.  Another trick if you plan on quartering or otherwise doing some butchering in the field is a shower curtain.  They don't weigh much and give you a nice clean surface to roll your animal onto and cut it up.

Shower curtain is a good idea for cutting. I have always used a spare poncho I always keep in my pack.

Space blankets work great also, compact, light, not too costly and fit in your pocket.   Also handy if you get stuck out over night...   

[NWBREW]

I've used pillow cases without issue.  Another trick if you plan on quartering or otherwise doing some butchering in the field is a shower curtain.  They don't weigh much and give you a nice clean surface to roll your animal onto and cut it up.

Shower curtain is a good idea for cutting. I have always used a spare poncho I always keep in my pack.

Space blankets work great also, compact, light, not too costly and fit in your pocket.   Also handy if you get stuck out over night...   

Space blanket is a damn good idea............I wonder why I never thought about that. 

[DoubleJ]

I always used the shower curtain because I thought my space blanket might be not heavy duty enough.  Next animal I get down, I might have to try it.

[Blacktail Sniper]

I always used the shower curtain because I thought my space blanket might be not heavy duty enough.  Next animal I get down, I might have to try it.

Some are better than others.   All will tear if handled too roughly, but for a temp barrier between meat and dirt, they do all right.  Always consider them as a one-time use.

[HoofsandWings]

Personally, I use burlap sand bags that I get from the local feed store. They sell for 75 cents.
About 3 feet long.

[huntnphool]

 I purchased 2 sets of these 10 years ago and have used them every year since, they work great and look brand new even after being used A LOT. http://www.huntergamebags.com/ELK-QUARTER-BAGS-4-PACK-GBE-4L.htm  A one time investment and no need to sew or worry about what you are going to use each year, highly recommended.

[Austrian Hunter]

I purchased 2 sets of these 10 years ago and have used them every year since, they work great and look brand new even after being used A LOT. http://www.huntergamebags.com/ELK-QUARTER-BAGS-4-PACK-GBE-4L.htm  A one time investment and no need to sew or worry about what you are going to use each year, highly recommended.

Thanks Rob, just ordered mine.  I'm tired of buying cheap bags every year. 

[Ridgeratt]

I have used these for years and built several sets for people. They will hold a full quarter of moose or elk. The strapping will work on packsaddles , pack frames, 4 wheelers. I put a set of handles grip straps to help wrestle them around also.
Made of heavy muslin Machine washable and have never worn out a set yet.

[huntnphool]

I purchased 2 sets of these 10 years ago and have used them every year since, they work great and look brand new even after being used A LOT. http://www.huntergamebags.com/ELK-QUARTER-BAGS-4-PACK-GBE-4L.htm  A one time investment and no need to sew or worry about what you are going to use each year, highly recommended.

Thanks Rob, just ordered mine.  I'm tired of buying cheap bags every year.

Wash them when they show up before you use them, you will love them, the best bags I have ever used.

[cvandervort]

Hey, thanks for the replies guys! Some good looking stuff out there. I like Ridgeratt's bags...look pretty heavy duty.

[Ridgeratt]

I like Ridgeratt's bags...look pretty heavy duty.

Thank you! I had a person at work who thought he wanted a set. I gave him the material break down and he felt he could get them done for less. I loaned him a bag as a pattern so he could have a show and tell.
When he took it the the guy to sew the webbing that has close to 12 yards in each bag. The guy figured it out as stitches per inch and he was quoted around 125.00 just to sew (per bag) them less material.
Some of the stitches are through 4 layers of webbing so it might not work on Momma's Prize singer.

 

[huntnphool]

I like Ridgeratt's bags...look pretty heavy duty.

Thank you! I had a person at work who thought he wanted a set. I gave him the material break down and he felt he could get them done for less. I loaned him a bag as a pattern so he could have a show and tell.
When he took it the the guy to sew the webbing that has close to 12 yards in each bag. The guy figured it out as stitches per inch and he was quoted around 125.00 just to sew (per bag) them less material.
Some of the stitches are through 4 layers of webbing so it might not work on Momma's Prize singer.

 

One more reason to just buy quality bags from the get go and be done.

[SemperFidelis97]

I have used pillow cases for years, and have never had a problem.  They don't tear, and go right in the wash machine when I get home.  They are easy, and cheap no need to buy a fancy bag.

[fish vacuum]

Pillow cases for me too. I keep a sheet in my pack and put it on the ground for a clean working surface when boning out a deer. The meat goes on the sheet until I'm done, then I use the pillow case like a liner for my pack and load it up with meat.