TAGS or Caribou game bags

[Larry Bartlett]

Hey guys, a couple of points to clarify two responses above:

Old Material vs new material: One year a couple years back we tried a new material that was similar to Caribou Gear's texture. We found that material to be heavier and bulkier, and it performed almost identically to our original synthetic material. But, it cost more to make and the benefits for our hunters suggested the lighter weight fabric was the way to go for overall cost, weight savings, and field performance. So, Todd, you must have the "newer material" that has a checked pattern as a texture. That fabric is still great, however, we switched back to our original TAG Bag material and will stay with it. Weight savings example: the heavier material forced our 28"X60" set to be 1.5lbs heavier than the same set made with our current original material, so 3.6 lbs vs 2.1-lbs. Big difference!

BOMB Pack vs 24"X44" set of TAG Bags: The BOMB Pack is strictly for de-boned meat of elk, deer, and sheep. It weighs a mere 10-oz for the whole set, and Aron designed the size to fit an entire de-boned elk. I've found that I can get two de-boned sheep into one set of the BOMB Pack. But, if you plan to qtr your elk, I'd strongly recommend going with the 24"X44" set of five bags. That's the ideal size for any big elk, large Muley, or sheep if quarters are left whole.

Hope this helps, guys.

Last note: I'm not one of those sponsor's who gets wired over positive reviews or comments about competitor brands. Although Caribou Gear unethically "borrowed" my hard-earned reasoning and theories for innovating a new synthetic fabric movement away from cotton game bags, they still make a good product. While it appears they simply cut and pasted my original concepts to their website, they found a material that feels like cotton and added some bells and whistles to their brand to make it different than our TAG Bags. Heck, they even tried to mimic the orange on black stuff sacks we've always used, not very original at all. In the larger picture, they have done a great job marketing their brand and seam to be doing well. In the end, I feel as though either brand will serve hunters well in the field, providing an advanced option for reducing the spoilage threats we fight hard against in inclement environments. The real reason hunters will find our TAG Bags to be superior is price point and continued focus on understanding the technology and science behind field spoilage threats. In that realm, I continue to lead our brand toward the future through hunter education and forward thinking product design.

Larry

 

[wilkes]

It made sense to me.

Looking forward to my TAG bags arriving, Larry. Thanks for the deal!

 

[TD1]

A while back when I was looking into them I finally decided on the caribou bags, mainly because their smaller bag (21"x24" if I recall) fit my uses best (deboning) I don't believe the Bomb series was out yet. When I need new bags I'll likely give those a shot. But I have no complaints about the caribou bags, they have worked and held up very well for me. They were both similar, for me the determining factor was the size.

The synthetic bags are great, I use game bags all year and the cotton bags I only get a year or two out of them. Although heavier, the cotton does cool better IMO and they don't bleed though nearly as bad as the synthetics tend to do. But they will let you down and rip out when you least expect it, as well as when you need them most. The synthetics are just tougher and more durable, as well as lighter and clean up easier.

 

[Vance in AK]

Can't comment on the Caribou brand as I have never used them, but I have been MORE than satisfied with the TAG bags from Larry.

 

[colonel00]

So, for my caribou hunt next year, I am pretty much sold on getting some TAG bags. However, this will be a little different since I usually can bone out and get my meat chilled fast. From everything I have been reading, since it may be several days until I can get the meat to a cooler, I would be better served to leave it on the bone, correct? If so, which set of bags would you recommend?

 

[O'Really]

Not sure what bags to recommend, as I still use old school game bags. But, I would suggest leaving the meat on the bone, it is much easier to keep and handle when left on the bone, especially when you may not be certain when the meat will find its way too a cooler.

 

[realunlucky]

Tags has the 24x44 size for caribou quarters

 

[Yellowknife]

So, for my caribou hunt next year, I am pretty much sold on getting some TAG bags. However, this will be a little different since I usually can bone out and get my meat chilled fast. From everything I have been reading, since it may be several days until I can get the meat to a cooler, I would be better served to leave it on the bone, correct? If so, which set of bags would you recommend?

The 24x44" set of TAG bags will easily swallow a bone on caribou. That's exactly what they were made for. They will even (barely) work for a 2 yr old moose, but that is pretty much the limit.

Yk

 

[colonel00]

Thanks. That is pretty much what I was thinking but I always like the first hand input from people with experience.

 

[Stid2677]

I have been using Larry's TAG bags since they came out. I have both the old and new versions, I also have several sets of the CARIBOU bags. I tend to use TAG bags for backpacking trips and the CARIBOU bags for moose and motorized hunts. The CARIBOU bags seem to be a bit more cut and tear resistant, but it may just be that I used the TAG bags harder.

I do like the reflective strip that the CARIBOU bags uses, it makes it easy to see at night to flash a light on the make sure a bear has not dragged them off.

I also like KIFARU meat baggies and like these because they are so light, since they don't really breath, I only use them to keep in my pack and for transport back to camp where the meat is transferred into TAG bags.

In this photo, we have meat in both BOMB bags, TAG bags and CARIBOU bags.