Boned-out elk...cool it in a cold stream?

[Pilsner]

Any method that keeps the meat cold, clean, and dry will work. Toss em in contractor bags and sink em in the creek if it's not cool enough in the shade for a day or two of waiting on your return.
I recently learned of a trick to put your meat bags in an el cheapo backpacking hammock strung over a cold creek. It holds them so they get 360 degree airflow and most of the hammocks have at least a small tarp over them that guarantees they are always in the shade. The one I've got weighs right at 1# and was sub-$50 at a local gear swap event.

Bonus: Until you shoot your elk it makes a great "camp couch" for post-lunch naps while getting your feet elevated over your heart. I'ver found that as I age a little bit of self care like elevating my feet for a few minutes once or twice a day helps with lymphatic fluid and overall soreness when on multi-day hunts/hikes.
-Doc

 

[Koda_]

If the weather is that hot your trip plan should include a faster way to get the meat out of the backcountry or hunt closer to the truck.
That said, I would think submersion would work as long as the bag is waterproof, but at some point you have to haul the meat out in that weather, I'd be more concerned about how long that would take and adjust my hunt plan from the get go.

 

[mtnbound]

Howdy - have wondered about this and thought I would see if anyone has done it...We'll be backpack hunting a remote drainage with a fair sized cold stream; a packout is almost certainly a multi-day event. Weather could be cool and our friend...but if it's hot, I am wondering about taking the boned-out meat and going right in the water with it.

That could be in or out of the game bags; I would assume that after cooling for 30-60 minutes we would pat it as dry as possible and hang in the bags until we pack out. But will getting immersed be a problem for the meat?

We could also potentially put it in a few leaf bags if getting it wet would be a negative.

Just seems like using that built-in refrigerator might be a good idea to shed heat quickly...

Anyone have experience with this?

Edit: Belatedly, I see there are a couple of threads on this...sounds like some folks do it, both in plastic and not. For what it's worth, this is a high-country stream that loses about 4000 feet in 6-7 miles - it's very cold, clean and a decent stream for cutthroat.

Use some thick contractor garbage bags to keep the meat from getting wet. I would also add some z-ties to get a good seal on the bags. I would prefer to hang them or build a rack in the creek bottom to set the meat on.

 

[mt terry d]

... at some point you have to haul the meat out in that weather, I'd be more concerned about how long that would take and adjust my hunt plan from the get go.

I kept a fish for a few days on a progressive pack trip by cooling it in stream at night and then
wrapping it with burlap and wetting it throughout the day to cool it by evaporation.

 

[mkonzen]

Sidebar question on meat care and game bags. I've used the cheap mesh bags in the past but it's always been with snow on the ground. Can you use those in September when it's not as cool? Wondering if flies can get through and lay eggs etc. Should I be using a synthetic material bag? Thanks

 

[Weldor]

I've never done it, but my partner puts quarters in game bags then wets them. Acts like a evaporative cooler supposedly. Usually 80's or 90's. I will say this it does cool it down.

 

[realunlucky]

Here are some proven tactics for meat care when it's hot out- https://www.rokslide.com/tt34-early-season-meat-care-with-larry-bartlett/

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[mt terry d]

Sidebar question on meat care and game bags. I've used the cheap mesh bags in the past but it's always been with snow on the ground. Can you use those in September when it's not as cool? Wondering if flies can get through and lay eggs etc. Should I be using a synthetic material bag? Thanks

Do not use the mesh/cheesecloth if the flies are out ( warm)
They can and will lay their eggs through it.And fly eggs hatch into maggots.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

Maybe in theory but in practice never had a problem with it.

In practice, it's a really good way to ruin meat.

 

[rogerdoger]

This has worked well for me. I wouldn't trust letting water get on the meat.
View attachment 901978

This is what I have done in the past and it worked well

I listened to Hunt Backcountry Podcast #508, great information. One thing I learned is never ever get your meat wet, the bacteria that can take over is unbelievable and it does not take much to ruin the meet.