Game Bag question for those who QUARTER your elk

[whuppinstick]

Grakksaw. For those using the google machine. At least I assume thats what Kentrek is referring  to. Apologies if not.

Whoops ya I missed the spelling on that

Might consider a simple name aswell 😂

Hahaha. I think we're going to go with "Orange Aglow".

Thanks for the spelling clarification, blackveltbowhunter.

[teanawayslayer]

Yikes, haven’t carried out bones for decades. If you’ve got horses I spose.

I have never boned out an elk. I have also killed a lot of spikes so their bones don't weigh as much  I prefer bone in for long term hanging and handling in general.

I also leave the bone in. The extra weight is worth it to me because it helps keep the meat riding in my pack more even instead of a big ball in the bottom of the bag. I also find that it helps the meat cool better. If I had a long time to let it cool before packing I would probably take the bones out but most times as soon as I am done quartering I am headed back to camp/truck

[trophyhunt]

Yikes, haven’t carried out bones for decades. If you’ve got horses I spose.

I have never boned out an elk. I have also killed a lot of spikes so their bones don't weigh as much  I prefer bone in for long term hanging and handling in general.

I also leave the bone in. The extra weight is worth it to me because it helps keep the meat riding in my pack more even instead of a big ball in the bottom of the bag. I also find that it helps the meat cool better. If I had a long time to let it cool before packing I would probably take the bones out but most times as soon as I am done quartering I am headed back to camp/truck

And it keeps your meat waaaaayyyy cleaner!

[dilleytech]

Yikes, haven’t carried out bones for decades. If you’ve got horses I spose.

I have never boned out an elk. I have also killed a lot of spikes so their bones don't weigh as much  I prefer bone in for long term hanging and handling in general.

I also leave the bone in. The extra weight is worth it to me because it helps keep the meat riding in my pack more even instead of a big ball in the bottom of the bag. I also find that it helps the meat cool better. If I had a long time to let it cool before packing I would probably take the bones out but most times as soon as I am done quartering I am headed back to camp/truck

And it keeps your meat waaaaayyyy cleaner!

I’m bone in, unless it’s a really crappy pack out or your alone. My last 3 elk have been within 2 miles and I had the wife to put meat on. 2 trips bone in with two people is just about perfect.

[Karl Blanchard]

I'm curious, how does bone in keep the meat waaaayyyy cleaner?

[dilleytech]

I'm curious, how does bone in keep the meat waaaayyyy cleaner?

Less potential surface area to get dirty. Have you not heard the stories from butchers who receive some people’s meat, rollling a whole quarter in the dirt would be better then a bunch of smaller pieces. Guys like us don’t worry about that sort of thing 😏

[trophyhunt]

Yup, doesn’t expose the entire piece of meat to all the elements, hair, dirt, blood shot. It also leaves the meat in its groups, I don’t cut up my own meat, and I try to bring really clean pieces to my butcher. I’ve found if I de bone the meat on long hunts like in Idaho, you need to separate the deboned meat on a table to cool it off, just don’t like having a big ball of meat.

[luvmystang67]

+1 for Caribou bags.

I leave bone in, lower leg off.  We had a 10 year old bull and probably a 4 year old bull this year (Rocky Mountain Elk).  On each, the hind quarter, bone-in, but hoof cut off below achilles was 69 and 70 lbs.  The front quarter weighted 45 lbs, again hoof off below the knee.

In both quarters I believe (recalling here) but the bones were 9 lbs of each quarter.

Carrying a couple extra ounces I think is worth it for the durability.

[Karl Blanchard]

You guys have issues with deboned meat that I haven't seen before different strokes for different folks I guess.

[kentrek]

You guys have issues with deboned meat that I haven't seen before different strokes for different folks I guess.

I haven't done the "science" but I prefer less surface area being exposed...meat eater has a good podcast on meat with a meat scientist and he dives into the micro level...also I think there is definitely something to keeping on the bone until it relaxes..

I've had steaks from the hind ham be more tender then backstraps..makes zero sense other then we deboned it too fast

[trophyhunt]

You guys have issues with deboned meat that I haven't seen before different strokes for different folks I guess.

We aren't packing out tiny little deer!!   




 

[Karl Blanchard]

But how much of a difference? If its an unnoticeable amount then who cares? Ive packed hundreds of critters, most deboned but plenty with bones in and even whole and I've never had meat spoil, sour, etc due to deboning and the risk of bone sour is always greater with that big heat rod stuffed through the middle of your meat. As I said, pack em how you want to but let's not spread the notion that because one debones that their meat is somehow magically covered in hair and dirt and doesn't cool. Its simply not true.

[Karl Blanchard]

You guys have issues with deboned meat that I haven't seen before different strokes for different folks I guess.

We aren't packing out tiny little deer!!   




 

HA!!!! I've packed more bulls than most. Why do you think I like deer better 

[Jonathan_S]

I think the narrow bag is superior. For those people who won't or can't debone a quarter, they don't really need a SOTA or specific shaoe bag since they're using the natural shape of the quarter 

[Karl Blanchard]

I think the narrow bag is superior. For those people who won't or can't debone a quarter, they don't really need a SOTA or specific shaoe bag since they're using the natural shape of the quarter 

this. Big enough opening to wrestle a quarter in but not a bunch of extra material. Its an oversized pillow case that cinches ip on the end,, don't over complicate it.