What size game bag for caribou

[mmcneil]

Doing a flyin trip for caribou and just wondering what size bag I need for bone in quarters?
I've got a set of large but they are 60x28 seems a liitle overkill for caribou. Would like to keep weight down and thought about getting small 38x21.

 

[Kaitum]

38x21 should be fine. Even a big bodied caribou is maybe 2/3 the size of an elk.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

38X21 would be fine.

If your flying in with super cubs, some transporters require you to bone out.

Cotton meat bags (pillow case density) are good. Cheese-cloth "Alaska game bags" that you can
buy at Fred Meyers or Walmart in the big cities in Alaska are not dense enough to prevent fly eggs/maggots.

 

[Bill Zent]

I have found muslin fabric to be the best for game bags and they can be easily made. I have made several sizes that work from moose to whitetail. Cut fabric at home and have a local cobbler sew them up. Some of mine have been used over thirty years and still work like new. Be sure and wash them before use, it will tighten the fabric and should be fly proof.

Bill

 

[mmcneil]

Thanks for the help

 

[AlaskaHunter]

Since caribou season starts on Aug 10 in most units (July for the central Arctic herd), it can be fairly warm.
Some hunters soak their meat bags in a citric acid solution and then dry the bags.
Citric acid slows bacterial growth.

Also to cool the meat quickly if it is very warm, dig a hole down to permafrost
(common in most caribou areas), line the hole with willow for air circulation
and store the meat bags in "natures cooler"

--Skeeter

 

[mmcneil]

Thanks Skeeter. We fly out on Aug 11 so it will be early season. About how deep is permafrost? Will be hunting 40 mile herd.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

Thanks Skeeter. We fly out on Aug 11 so it will be early season. About how deep is permafrost? Will be hunting 40 mile herd.

40-mile herd is my favorite caribou hunt in the entire state!
Alpine hunting! 40-mile air does an excellent (and safe) transport,
I've always had quality hunts miles away from any other party.

Since they use super-cubs and ridgetop landings, don't be disapointed
if you have to spend a few days in Tok before they can get you out
(they will when flying conditions are safe, so be patient)

Water can be a problem if we have a dry summer...I usually take
some heavy duty construction garbage bags and pack water back
up to camp from a stream down in the bottoms (typically they land
on a ridgetop). I like the Katadyn base camp gravity filter for easy
filtering of 10 liters of water in one shot.

Since it is illegal to hunt the same day airborne, the first
day (after being dropped off and setting up camp) is a good day
to filter as much drinking water as possible.

It is common to see both black and grizzly bears eating blueberries.
Since you are unguided, griz are off-limits, but you could take
a black bear if you wanted. Check the regs...it used to be you could
take a big game animal on a tag as long as it was of lesser value,
for example black bear nonres tag is $450, caribou is $650
so if you wanted you could take a black bear on your caribou tag (I think).
From the current regs:
"A big game locking-tag may be used for a species of equal or lesser value. "
You must have obtained a harvest ticket or permit for the other species prior to hunting. "
Ask the folks at Fish & Game when you get to Tok...can't hurt to ask and make sure!


Permafrost is less than a foot down on the north-facing slopes and
in the bottoms...just below the layer of moss which can be a foot thick.

Enjoy your wilderness hunt!

--Skeeter

 

[mixedbag]

Your going to have an incredible trip.I did 40 mile a fee years back and it was great

 

[sneakypete]

Check out Pristine Adventure bags! Search them. I bought a set of moose bags!