Question for those who bone out their elk

[whuppinstick]

I own Orange Aglow (site sponsor) and we're working on some game bags for 2022.

There are generally two types of game bags for boned out meat:

1. long and narrow that are about the width of a pack frame (11-14"), but which you have to cut the rear quarter into a few pieces to fit

2. wider, more rectangular bags that will fit a boned out quarter in one piece (22-25" wide)


Which do you prefer and why?


If you have other thoughts on what you'd like to see in a game bag, please share.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I prefer the longer and leaner.

When I bone out I separate the large muscles in the rear quarters anyway, the longer bags fit in my pack better and are much easier to cinch tight eliminating the meat trying to "ball" up in the bottom. And keeps my load closer and better balanced.

As far as what I like, tough stitching, and good closure are number one. I used some zippered bags this past year and loved them. So much easier to cut and load meat in them when solo. Which seems to he the case on all my critters.

[Karl Blanchard]

Pretty much sums it up

[DrakeKill]

agreed on stitching and closures!

I like the wide mouth bags though, always solo and I don't like having to wrestle into the bags - the easier it goes in the quicker it get's hung or hauled out and less chance of it getting dirty (i may have dropped a piece or two once before  ) - i make up for the slop in the bag with some webbing or 550.

I also like materials that compress well to go into my ruck, no matter the pack there's only so much volume in there. Oh and how washable it is, I've had a few brands of meat bags that were one and done.....

[trophyhunt]

Light, strong, wide enough to fit a hind quarter, not sure about zippers, I’d take string. I currently use the caribou bags, they are what I like. 4 quarter bags, and two meat bags, I know you are asking about guys who debone, but after deboning for years, I find it better for the meat to pack out in quarters, then debone the rest of the body. Did I mention tough bags? Also, little reflective parts on the bags are great for finding your hanging meat in the dark!!!! Machine washable a must.  I would love to buy your product, I hope you knock this out of the park!  Keep the price reasonable, spending 80 bucks on 6 game bags is rough. Good luck buddy !!

[Stalker]

I prefer the longer and leaner.

When I bone out I separate the large muscles in the rear quarters anyway, the longer bags fit in my pack better and are much easier to cinch tight eliminating the meat trying to "ball" up in the bottom. And keeps my load closer and better balanced.

As far as what I like, tough stitching, and good closure are number one. I used some zippered bags this past year and loved them. So much easier to cut and load meat in them when solo. Which seems to he the case on all my critters.

   Have not used zipper bags though. 

[Buckhunter24]

Might ask a mod to put a poll on there to get more answers too. Good luck with the new product

[Stein]

I haven't seen the zipper bags yet, but getting anything into a bag by yourself is no fun.  If someone made a bag with a zipper on three sides so you could unzip the thing flat, lay your quarter or meat down, fold the bag in half over the top of the meat and zip it up I would be a buyer.  You could also do zippers on the two long sides and some sort of string or simple zip tie on the top as well.  I don't care if it is 0.256 oz heavier.

[trophyhunt]

Better be good zippers if you go that route, lots of pressure on that zipper and a blown out zipper in the backcountry would be a disaster. Just my 2 cents

[Stein]

That's a good point.

The old school mesh bags that could be rolled up actually were much easier to use than trying to wrestle an elk quarter into a sack that didn't want to cooperate.  Maybe I should try to roll up the synthetics next time.

[Rainier10]

I have only used bags with cinch strings but zippers would be awesome to lay flat load up and zip closed. I use a bullpac so wide is what I use now. I split off of the bone leaving muscle groups together. Washable multiple use is a must.

[whuppinstick]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I am intrigued by Kuiu's zippered bags but not ready to produce them just yet. I agree that a broken zipper would be bad news. I am also, as one of you mentioned, trying to produce these at a lower price point than many of the bags on the market. I've got one or two other small differences but sizing is most important for this year's samples. It sounds like there's a slight favor towards the taller, narrower bags so far. And tough stitching and reflection, which will both be standard.

Also, if these go well, we could produce larger bags for bone-in quarters in the future.

[kentrek]

It would be relatively easy to reduce the stress on a zipper with a little thought..

Light weight is huge...I think I have nearly every bag on the market..and I really don't have a concern with the strength of the material as long as it's going inside my main bag

It would be really nice to have the hook and loop type system so one person can hang meat and not need to tie knots...I hate knots

I would consider having an option for material weight...some guys don't need ultralight and end up just trashing them...then complaining...while other guys are saving extra ounces so they can justify packing a btx 115...every company out there only has one option for material..people love feeling special

Just some thoughts

[snake]

cheap, stretchy, strong, breathable, disposable, long, narrow

[whuppinstick]

It would be really nice to have the hook and loop type system so one person can hang meat and not need to tie knots...I hate knots

I might have the solution for you. Stay tuned.