Ultralight meat tarp

[fishslap]

I used a Marsupial Gear meat tarp for a few years then left it out of my pack this year when removing “nice to haves” to cut weight. I now want to add a lighter version back to my kit.

What material would be very light and just durable enough for a small meat tarp? I’m using it under a quarter as I’m making inside cuts and taking it off. I find that a small tarp is more convenient and results in less hair and grass getting on the meat when compared to using the inside of the hide, especially in less than ideal kill sites. I’m only asking for material recommendations and not techniques. Is this too thin or not the right solution:

0.67 oz Dyneema® Composite Fabric CT1E.08/K.18

Ultralight Dyneema Composite Fabric (formerly Cuben Fiber) from DSM. DCF is a non-woven, laminate fabric that's stronger than steel but lighter than silnylon or silpoly. Best used for ultralight tarps, tents, rain flys, light duty stuff sacks, and other high-end outdoor gear.

ripstopbytheroll.com

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Tyvek or similar. That's what I carry

 

[MtnsWinAgain]

Hard to beat Dyneema, but pricey. Another option is polycryo, super cheap, can just toss it if it’s bloody. I’ve used it for meat tarps and ground mat for moisture. You can get it from gossamer gear, or at a hardware store, it’s the stuff used to put a barrier over a window and seal with a hair dryer, if you’ve ever done that

Polycryo (Tent Footprint) Ground Cloth

Use this ultralight ground cloth to substitute or protect your tent floor. This foot print is also used with our tarp shelters. This product is designed with the hiker in mind to keep the weight off your back and dirt off your sleeping bag.

www.gossamergear.com

 

[fishslap]

Tyvek or similar. That's what I carry

Thanks. I have an old tyvek ground cloth that I don’t use much. Might repurpose it.

 

[gridlock]

For the weight and durability, you've already found the right material for your purpose. Just know that it is somewhat loud when handled and that it has a form somewhere between thin and thick plastic bags. For what you are using it for it will defeinitely hold up to abrasion and some stray slashes. Most other materials would be better used disposably as the dyneema would hold up being a dedicated tarp.

 

[Middle_Ridge]

Tyvek option:

Hilltop Packs Tyvek Groundsheets $15 to $34 + shipping

SIZE & WEIGHT
Small: 20"x27" - 0.69oz (19g)
Medium: 29"34" - 1.28oz (36g)
Large: 37"x58" - 2.74oz (77.5g)
Jumbo: 60"x96" - 7.8oz (220g)

 

[fishslap]

For the weight and durability, you've already found the right material for your purpose. Just know that it is somewhat loud when handled and that it has a form somewhere between thin and thick plastic bags. For what you are using it for it will defeinitely hold up to abrasion and some stray slashes. Most other materials would be better used disposably as the dyneema would hold up being a dedicated tarp.

Thanks. Maybe I go up a weight. Is it reasonably cleanable?

 

[justinspicher]

I’m already carrying game bags, so I just use those to lay the quarters on before I debone them.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Polycro would be my suggestion as well. It’s 0.68oz/yrd^2 (the gossamer gear linked above) so you don’t loose anything in terms of weight versus the dyneema you linked.

Polycro will have significantly less tensile strength than dyneema, but should do fine just for putting meat on. And then just chuck it when your done if you would like. There are plenty of guys using it for tarps and stuff too, so it’s pretty dang durable in its own right.

 

[gridlock]

Thanks. Maybe I go up a weight. Is it reasonably cleanable?

I'd only suggest going up in weight based on how aggressive or protective you are of your gear. The weight you found should do just fine as the dyneema will still last regardless. For what I use it for, dyneema is extremely cleanable, however I'm not sure on the blood soak aspect. I mainly use dyneema in pack organization for it's quality of being light/durable/waterproof.
Going to stress test the material to see how it soaks blood, but given that it is waterproof I imagine that the worst that will become of it will be discoloring of the material.

 

[Jakeb]

Walmart cheap plastic table cloth, it’s like $1.99 and super light. Throw it away after you are done with it. Someone on here mentioned it last year. I tried it on a mule deer to debone in the field and it worked great. Also used it in my pack after to block my gear in the bottom from getting bloody with the meat on top.

 

[Jbird1]

Walmart cheap plastic table cloth, it’s like $1.99 and super light. Throw it away after you are done with it. Someone on here mentioned it last year. I tried it on a mule deer to debone in the field and it worked great. Also used it in my pack after to block my gear in the bottom from getting bloody with the meat on top.

I like your style- too easy to overthink things with so many gear options these days…

 

[wapitibob]

Walmart cheap plastic table cloth, it’s like $1.99 and super light. Throw it away after you are done with it. Someone on here mentioned it last year. I tried it on a mule deer to debone in the field and it worked great. Also used it in my pack after to block my gear in the bottom from getting bloody with the meat on top.

yep

 

[BBob]

I always have game bags and a vacuum packed Mylar space blanket in my pack so it’s the game bags and if I need extra space out comes the Mylar. The polycryo would be a good choice to have in your pack all the time. I use that under my sleep pad.

 

[NealMustard]

I'm going to pretend like I didn't read the part of your post where you said you're not asking for techniques.

How are you using the tarp, and how clean do your quarters typically end up, is this solo or with a partner?

In the past I've used a mylar space blanket with mixed results. It was awkward to use and frustrating to put away. This year I used a caribou gear meat tarp which is meant to be thick enough to use as a backpack liner. The caribou gear tarp wasn't necessarily better at keeping my meat free of hair and debris. If i go back to using a game tarp of some kind it's going to be a big orange piece of fabric with some shock cord to keep it cinched around the work area.

What I started doing this year to keep my meat cleaner was putting the game bag on over the shank and working it down as I worked the hide off of the animal. In the end the quarter was in the game bag upside down. It's the cleanest way I've found of getting quarters off of an animal.

 

[kpk]

Following this as I was also just trying to find a solution. The last elk was a PITA. For now, I split open a trash compactor bag. It's roughly 3x5 and fairly thick. It'll work better than nothing.

 

[fishslap]

I'm going to pretend like I didn't read the part of your post where you said you're not asking for techniques.

How are you using the tarp, and how clean do your quarters typically end up, is this solo or with a partner?

In the past I've used a mylar space blanket with mixed results. It was awkward to use and frustrating to put away. This year I used a caribou gear meat tarp which is meant to be thick enough to use as a backpack liner. The caribou gear tarp wasn't necessarily better at keeping my meat free of hair and debris. If i go back to using a game tarp of some kind it's going to be a big orange piece of fabric with some shock cord to keep it cinched around the work area.

What I started doing this year to keep my meat cleaner was putting the game bag on over the shank and working it down as I worked the hide off of the animal. In the end the quarter was in the game bag upside down. It's the cleanest way I've found of getting quarters off of an animal.

Thanks. I’ve done several tons worth of animals solo on the ground from pronghorn up to moose using various methods. Normally I’d say the meat is quite clean but I noticed that having the tarp makes it easier and helps keep it a bit cleaner from stray hairs and grass, etc. As mentioned, I’m just looking for a lighter option and a few guys provided that information.

 

[fishslap]

Following this as I was also just trying to find a solution. The last elk was a PITA. For now, I split open a trash compactor bag. It's roughly 3x5 and fairly thick. It'll work better than nothing.

This lil dude died in a ditch a few years ago. I used my thermarest z-seat as a barrier against the dirt. I’ve used a shirt, game bags, marsupial gear meat tarp, hide, and nothing. I learned I just prefer some kind of small piece of tarp like approach, hence this thread for a lighter option. I’m particular on clean meat.

 

[Maverick1]

I just use a clear garbage bag as a ground cloth. Doubles as a backpack cover when/if it ever really downpours. Triples as a place to put my wet clothes or tarp if if ever really downpours. Quadruples as a liner for the inside of the backpack if I want to haul meat on the inside of the pack.

 

[fishslap]

I just use a clear garbage bag as a ground cloth. Doubles as a backpack cover when/if it ever really downpours. Triples as a place to put my wet clothes or tarp if if ever really downpours. Quadruples as a liner for the inside of the backpack if I want to haul meat on the inside of the pack.

That is good advice. Maybe I’ll just use my light weight sea to summit 55L dry bag that I never take then I won’t have to clean my pack later either!