Meat mixing in game bags question

[Sniff]

I'm grabbing a bear tag to go with the mule deer and elk tag. Is there a yes or no to mixing a bear with deer or elk meat in game bags?

 

[Vids]

Interesting question. I wouldn't think so, except maybe the fact that bear meat likely has trichinosis and the meat needs to be cooked to 165 degrees makes me wonder a little. The bear meat would only be touching the outside of the elk meat which typically gets above that even if the inside of the steaks is below. But then when you process the elk, you could be spreading the trichinosis to any part of the meat as you debone and cut it up, and it could end up in your ground meat. So, maybe it is an issue?

If it were me I guess I'd just bring a second set of game bags. I use the cheap throw away cloth ones so not much of a cost or weight penalty.

I've had bear tags to go along with my elk/deer tags before and never thought about that. I figure once I shoot a deer/elk I'm going to concentrate on getting it packed back to the truck, put it on ice, and then go back to fill my other tags with a fresh set of game bags.

 

[Sniff]

That was my assumption as well (taking care of the meat first) then worry about the bear tag. But it did get me thinking and was wondering if anyone had any knowledge or experience with it.

 

[Lawnboi]

Even if I have multiple same species tags I keep everything separated and labeled for if I end up getting checked.

 

[Laramie]

I always keep meat from each animal completely separate. Even in animals of the same species, some are ok and some are great pertaining to tenderness/gaminess, etc. We do a test grill of each animal to determine what goes into sausage, burger, steaks, etc.

 

[Rob5589]

Deer and elk, I wouldn't hesitate. Not with bear, however, due to potential trichinosis. I cook my venison rare, which you aren't supposed to do with bear meat.

 

[realunlucky]

What are you going to use for game bags at the kill site? Not likely your carrying your full game bags around with you.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Sniff]

I guess the question is more would or do you put your bear or hog meat in the cooler where it will have a couple game bag layers between it and other meat you may cook rare?

 

[Vids]

Lawnboi's point about keeping everything separate for a possible warden check makes sense. I didn't think about that when I posted, but it makes sense to keep everything in it's own bags and organized in case you run into one.

I think I would just keep the bear meat separate from the deer/elk. The trichinosis issue raises concerns for me, so I would have a separate cooler and game bags just for the bear.

Plus, I wouldn't worry about it as you likely won't see one. I've found the best bear deterrent is having a tag in your pocket!

 

[WCB]

I guess the question is more would or do you put your bear or hog meat in the cooler where it will have a couple game bag layers between it and other meat you may cook rare?

If they are bagged separately so not as to confuse one with the other cooking wise and marked for I.D. purposes (legality) I wouldn't hesitate to have them share the same cooler. Could always put in a contractor bag in the cooler to further help with cross contamination but I don't see a problem.

 

[highcountrymuley]

FYI most contractor and other plastic trash bags have scents, pesticides, and other nasty stuff in their composition that you don't want your meat marinading in! look for unscented if possible, but be aware of potential pesticides in them. i know they are handy , but something to consider.