Dressing an elk in hot weather

[ribka]

With the hot temps the hornets and wasps numbers have really increased.

 I hate field dressing an animal with wasps and hornets trying to get at the meat. Just a tip but have found that Pam non-stick sprayed on the meat seems to work well.I carry a small can now in my day pack in hot wetaher.  I also have tried black pepper put on the meat and seems to work too.

Just a tip

[notellumcreek]

thanks for the tip! hopefully I will get to test it out this year 

[bwhntr2819]

X2 on the black pepper. I'm also planning on cooling the meat in a creek this year. The only question is whether to use the creek in my hunting area or get it back to camp asap and use that creek.  Using the creek in my hunting area would require a longer pack out. Will probably do what feels right at the time. Early in the day - hunting creek, late in the day - camp creek.

[FSTaxidermy]

x3 on the pepper, then I like to bone out quickly! and to a creek if I cant get to a locker quickly.

[Dan-o]

X4 on the pepper.    I don't know how anyone could clean up an elk in warm weather without it.....   I bring PLENTY.

[iRem]

Thanks, I needed that reminder on the pepper!! Forgot to put it on the list for next week. Hoping it will cool off....

[bobcat]

I've never used pepper. We just got an elk a month ago- had "Alaska Game Bags" and several old sheets that we used to keep the meat clean and the flies off it. The sheets come in really handy when you're skinning on the ground and quartering/deboning.

[pianoman9701]

X2 on the black pepper. I'm also planning on cooling the meat in a creek this year. The only question is whether to use the creek in my hunting area or get it back to camp asap and use that creek.  Using the creek in my hunting area would require a longer pack out. Will probably do what feels right at the time. Early in the day - hunting creek, late in the day - camp creek.

Get a one-pounder of ground black pepper at Cash & Carry. Read this article about cooling meat in a stream. There's some concern about over-cooling so that the meat doesn't end up drying and some about the introduction of giardia bacteria getting into it.

[Raul Duke]

Just a tip but have found that Pam non-stick sprayed on the meat seems to work well.
 I also have tried black pepper put on the meat and seems to work too.

Just a tip

Thanx for the tip. Adding this to my check list. 

[trophyhunt]

X2 on the black pepper. I'm also planning on cooling the meat in a creek this year. The only question is whether to use the creek in my hunting area or get it back to camp asap and use that creek.  Using the creek in my hunting area would require a longer pack out. Will probably do what feels right at the time. Early in the day - hunting creek, late in the day - camp creek.

Get a one-pounder of ground black pepper at Cash & Carry. Read this article about cooling meat in a stream. There's some concern about over-cooling so that the meat doesn't end up drying and some about the introduction of giardia bacteria getting into it.

What do you think about putting the meat in garbage bags then in game bags before you put it in the creek?

[buglebuster]

I have heard you definatly do not want to put meat in garbage bags.
On monday my buddy shot a 4x4 muley and it was 90 out. I quartered it up and wasps were everywhere! Went back to the truck got the packs and went and got the deer. Had a big cooler with 8 bags of ice ready in the truck 

[pianoman9701]

As long as the meat doesn't sit in the plastic bags at all when it's not being cooled, I don't think that would hurt. Hot meat in plastic goes bad very quickly.

[pianoman9701]

With the hot temps the hornets and wasps numbers have really increased.

 I hate field dressing an animal with wasps and hornets trying to get at the meat. Just a tip but have found that Pam non-stick sprayed on the meat seems to work well.I carry a small can now in my day pack in hot wetaher.  I also have tried black pepper put on the meat and seems to work too.

Just a tip

Does the meat dry OK with the Pam on it?

[trophyhunt]

As long as the meat doesn't sit in the plastic bags at all when it's not being cooled, I don't think that would hurt. Hot meat in plastic goes bad very quickly.

I definitely wouldn't do this other than putting it in water, thanks guys.

[Elkhound]

This topic has been the issue causing me to lose the most sleep this season. It's my first year archery hunting and therefore have never had to deal with such warm temperatures when dressing out an animal. I will be doing a pack-in hunt this weekend and if needed next week. I will only have access to some creeks and that's it until I can hike the 4+ hours back to my truck. I have so many people telling me different things about cooling meat IN the creek I don't know what is best given my situation and this heat. The pepper sounds like a good step but cooling effectively is my biggest concern right now. Anyone think they have the best solution for a LONG pack hunt in this heat? Thanks in advance!

[Hyde]

Pepper and also white vinegar works wonders.  Sprinkle the vinegar all over the hair of the animal before you begin and rub some on your arms, hat, etc.  Not a hornet or yellow jacket will touch you.  Carrying a sloshing bottle of vinegar is another issue though.  My moose dropped VERY CLOSE to a basketball sized hornet nest.  They were everywhere once the gutting began, but not a one even came close to me. 

[fishm@n]

Pepper is also good to keep birds off in the event you need to leave meat overnight in a tree... I'm guessing it wouldn't deter a hungry black bear or cougar though!

[MtnMuley]

Pepper works good.  The key for me in hot weather is to get the hide off faster than as fast as you can. I worry about flys/bees after that.

[wapiti hunter2]

Pepper works good.  The key for me in hot weather is to get the hide off faster than as fast as you can. I worry about flys/bees after that.

    In the old days we just wrapped meat in burlap and kept it damp.  The evaporating water acts like a swamp cooler and does a great job of cooling.  If you have access to water on your pack out, occasional wetting of the game bags should do the same. I am not talking dunking here but even that for moments at a time will work.  Just let evaporation do most of the work.  If it is really hot you may want to de-bone the meat to prevent bone sour.  Packing at night will also help as it is cooler.