What's in your "Kill Kit"?

[The John]

If you are going to get/use a saw, go for a Wyoming saw. They are AWESOME and that's an understatement. They pack down really small, and dont weigh much (but they do weigh some..). I keep one in the truck/camp when hunting just in case.

 

[husky390]

I use the Rokslide kill kit but add several pairs of the black mechanics latex gloves. I will usually change into a different pair after skinning the hide away so I don't have to worry about contaminating meat with hair. It's heavy, but I use the Raptor Razor for skinning and cutting meat. Paracord is a must, trying to quarter an elk solo is not easy.

 

[TheBuzz]

First Aid kit, if your going to make a slight mistake when breaking your animal down...nice to have it close

 

[IChaseCoues]

Mine has:
scalpel handle
5 autopsy blades
Light D2 fixed blade knife
tailor tape measure
pen
paper
3 bomb bags + more if elk hunting
meat baggie
small roll electrical tape----for taping muzzle, holding tag to horn, and hopefully not taping my skin closed after a cut but it does the job!
30 ft paracord

Wow that sounds like a lot but its quite small and weighed about a pound last time I weighed it.

I might have a lightweight saw in the pack depending on the hunt. Its lighter than carrying a skull attached to a set of antlers....and more useful!

First aid kit is separate.

 

[yak]

I carry much of the same mentioned above. Here is a video I made this winter:

[video=youtube;rx_p-80JDvs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx_p-80JDvs[/video]

 

[xcutter]

All good info everyone. I appreciate all the comments.

 

[rileybassman]

A saw is useful for cutting deadfall and brush out of the way and for making a good strong meatpole. Am I the only one who needs one to cut antlers off the skull? Occasionally I'll pack the whole skull out but less weight is better.

I never elk hunt without a saw.

Ditto... skull caps, brisket split, firewood... lots of uses for small wight penalty

 

[jmez]

If you are going to get/use a saw, go for a Wyoming saw. They are AWESOME and that's an understatement. They pack down really small, and dont weigh much (but they do weigh some..). I keep one in the truck/camp when hunting just in case.

Do you have the 11 or 18 inch blade model? Would think the longer one would be better for skull caps.

 

[Jared Lampton]

http://www.goldgear.co/saws.html

Check out the pruning saw. I was skeptical so I had a custom, slightly beefier one built. It turned out very nice. Seems very tough, extremely sharp, and long enough to saw antlers off elk. Very lightweight too.

 

[wapitibob]

I use a little fixed blade sog and pop off the top half of the skull for a euro mount.

 

[Alpinehunter]

I just got the Havalon Baracuta with replaceable saw and knife blades. The saw blades are sort of short but it looks like a lightweight solution. I know that many like the Baracuta knife but does anyone have experience with the bone saw.

 

[rayporter]

please post how long it takes to cut off a skull plate with a 4 in blade. i am curious.

 

[tttoadman]

please post how long it takes to cut off a skull plate with a 4 in blade. i am curious.

I would guess it would take longer than just skinning and removing the top of the head using a regular Edge knife. The top of the head is pretty light if you skin it off and dump out the brain basket. I quit carrying saws a few years ago.

 

[The John]

Do you have the 11 or 18 inch blade model? Would think the longer one would be better for skull caps.

I have the 11, but i haven't used it to saw off the skull cap. Its crazy quick at cutting off legs and for misc work around camp when needed.

 

[Ross]

Another vote for the small Wyoming saw....when you get an elk by yourself and if he is a big bull, they often don't end up on a nice table top...the saw comes in handy for as noted clearing the surrounding area, cutting a meatpole, skull cap and a multitude of other things that without a saw make your live a lot more difficult.....not a necessity but is always in my pack.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have never had a bull end up in a good place........ever. One year the bull was stuck in a quagmire of blowdowns. I had to just start cutting meat off him in order to lighten the weight to even think about moving him. When I finally got done, the carcass was still wrapped around that quagmire. The WY saw is a great tool. You certainly don't need the big one, but if you want to carry the extra weight it wouldn't hurt either. On my bull 3 years ago, the 11" was borderline too small trying to keep a straight cut on the skull cap.

 

[RainMaker71]

I just got the Havalon Baracuta with replaceable saw and knife blades. The saw blades are sort of short but it looks like a lightweight solution. I know that many like the Baracuta knife but does anyone have experience with the bone saw.

I used the Havalon bone saw last year and it worked really well for opening up a channel in the hips on my cow last year. It was a buddy's knife and I made sure I got one for this year.