Icing your kill in the creek

[Optimusprime]

Just wondering how many of you have used a creek to cool your meat when back in a ways. If you have, did you put it in a plastic bag first or just submerge it in the water? Any problems with either method?

[jason stevens]

Normally game bags, sometimes just toss it in.only problem I've had is the crawdads eat a little after an hour or so but they cook up great.

[buglebuster]

Ive put branches above the Creek in the shade and set the meat above it in game bags. If I have garbage bags I would submerge it in the water. No way would I toss it in the water without. The water will wash out the meat, and bacteria will grow in it faster then being out.

[stickbuck]

We hang our elk overnight the first night to let it cool and then we double bag the quarters and place in a secluded creek. Double bagging with the heavy plastic bags completely keeps the moisture out. We place small sized logs over the creek to help keep any unwanted visitors from an easy meal. So far we've been very lucky and the meat has been perfect.

[Bean Counter]

What heavy plastic bag brand do you guys use?

[stickbuck]

Not sure the brand, but they are one of the biggest industrial kind at Home Depot. I want to say that they are 30-35 gallon sized bags. No draw string kind and we use zip ties to secure them.

[buglebuster]

I work at a plastic bag manufacturing company, whatever the thickest, toughest bag I find that day is what I use 

[Bob33]

What heavy plastic bag brand do you guys use?

This one:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-42-gal-Clean-up-Bags-32-Count-HK42WC032B-M/100063659

[Dan-o]

I'll always throw deer/elk in a cool creek if possible.

Fastest way to get the heat out.

I've never had any issues with bacteria, etc.    Of course their cooled off in the creek and then cut/frozen ASAP.

[go4itlab]

Yeah I agree with never dumping them in unless bags r supper duty and secured. I like to use game bags and make some raised bed across a dark cool creek bed and the lay them out across. I would even lean towards if I did have bag to lay them across if you have any area where you may suspect some water splashing up may get the meet. A lot of meat to waste be wise in your decisions

[Bean Counter]

What heavy plastic bag brand do you guys use?

This one:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-42-gal-Clean-up-Bags-32-Count-HK42WC032B-M/100063659

Thank! 

[norsepete]

In warm weather I've dunked bear & deer with hide on for 15 minutes. No problems here.

[Labredog]

Place meat in game bags, then in heavy contractor type hefty bag, then in creek to drop the meats temp. If you place the meat directly into plastic bag it gets slimy. Great way to cool the meat, had to do this last year on a 48 hour pack out, of the Margaret. At night pull the meat out of the plastic bag and creek and get it airing out. That outside layer gets a hard thin dry protective barrier that helps to protect against bugs and bacteria.

[Bofire]

  I have seen dozens of bear put in creeks on the Oly penninsula for over 20 years. They stay in with the hide on for 2-3 days until you go home.
August bear season is HOT. no bags, has not hurt a thing. There are some other guys on here have done and seen the same thing.
Carl

[billythekidrock]

I have seen dozens of bear put in creeks on the Oly penninsula for over 20 years. They stay in with the hide on for 2-3 days until you go home.
August bear season is HOT. no bags, has not hurt a thing. There are some other guys on here have done and seen the same thing.
Carl

I agree 99.9%.

I lost a little meat on one bear after a day and a half. Not a bad when compared to how many I sunk in the creek and how hot the temps were.

 I think what some don't understand is that it has to be taken care of right away afterwards. Once home, we always washed with a mixture of water and vinegar and then towel dry and place in a cooler with a fan to help dry it.