Bees

[JoshTX]

I'm curious to know if anyone has any tips/tricks to deal with the damn bees on a kill site. Last elk I processed, I got stung twice and the bastards were relentless. Most of the elk I've killed have been at/near last light so it's not an issue when field stripping the animal. The next morning when I pull the quarters down and start deboning it seems like they come in droves. I've always just sucked it up and dealt with it but I'm thinking that someone out there might have a better way.

Any thoughts on the subject?

Thanks everyone!

 

[mt100gr.]

You might try hanging some meat FOR them. Make a few "stations" around where you're working with some meat dangling from a string. It works in the yard...hang meat over a pail of water and they eat until they drop and drown. Dead fish works even better but raw meat will likely be handier. Unless you keep a can of sardines in your kill kit...

 

[JoshTX]

That's not a bad idea. Maybe I'll give it a try this year. Thanks!

You might try hanging some meat FOR them. Make a few "stations" around where you're working with some meat dangling from a string. It works in the yard...hang meat over a pail of water and they eat until they drop and drown. Dead fish works even better but raw meat will likely be handier. Unless you keep a can of sardines in your kill kit...

 

[Larry Bartlett]

I agree with the bait technique, but the water is the critical item....a black trash bag shaped to hold water in a pool, with bloody meat in the center. highly effective.

 

[BruinPoint]

I must be the bee whisperer. Have had dozens if not hundreds of those "meat bees" on me and never been stung. Just let them do their thing.

 

[TRIPLE]

I must be the bee whisperer. Have had dozens if not hundreds of those "meat bees" on me and never been stung. Just let them do their thing.

Me too. It sure forces you to break down a critter quick though.

Horse flys are much worse IMO.

 

[30338]

I was working on some bear meat last fall and rendering fat in camp. There were massive amounts of those little yellow and black buggers. They were acting drunk after eating bear fat. I killed a couple that kept crawling all over me but for the most part they seemed pretty happy about life. Annoying though. I think a lot of flies would be worse. Hoping to have the same problem in about 4.5 months

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Cut quickly! Hahaha. I can't help too much with this one.

 

[stevenm2]

I am pretty sure I got bit by one once thinking my blood covered hand was his prize. That Hurt and bled like crazy. I have not been stung while dealing with meat. Unless that was a sting that took a chunk of my hand with him.

 

[Jason Bartel]

Someone told me black pepper? Never tried it so no promises.

 

[elkmule123]

I've heard about black pepper as well, and also that chili powder works better that black pepper. I haven't tried it either. I haven't had any problems with the bees, just flies which supposedly the chili powder helps out with as well.

I came across this awhile back.
http://www.elknutforums.com/Hunting/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2709&p=33432&hilit=chili#p33432

 

[littlebuf]

I'll take bees over flies and Mosquitos any day.

 

[Slim Jim]

^^^ amen to that! Can't stand mosquitos or flies

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

X3 ^^^

 

[Shrek]

X4...but I've been stung more times than I can remember. Grabbing the meat and getting a Yellowjacket or two freaking hurts !

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I got stung or bit by something 3 days ago that left half of my hand swollen, itching and feeling like it got hit by a hammer and it is just today getting better. Thought it was a wasp at first but they've never lasted this long.

 

[Shrek]

Spider or a ground hornet. I just thought id been stung until I got it by one of those little buggers. I got hit right between the eyes and by the next morning my eyes where almost swelled shut and my face looked like I had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime.

 

[Ironman8]

I'm assuming these guys are only out during early season? Or can I expect them for November in Idaho?

 

[elkmule123]

Yeah early summer, or later if its warm enough. We've been getting a lot of rain here in Utah the last few weeks which have kept the temperatures down. I didn't have any meat bees or flies while I was gutting and processing my deer last Saturday.