By: Ted Karr
Game bags are a must for most hunts. Whether you back pack in or hunt close to camp you will most likely need to transport your meat or hang your meat for a period of time. A good game bag will protect the meat and allow it to form a nice protective crust between the time of dressing out your animal and getting your meat processed. We have used a number of game bags over the years so we have a lot of experience with most of the game bags that have been around for a while. We also researched and reviewed a number of the top game bags on the market today to find the best game bag for you. Check out the table and video below for a discussion of each bag reviewed.
BEST GAME BAGS FOR ELK/MOOSE/CARIBOU/DEER HUNTING
Game bags have come along way in the past few years. There are a bunch of great options available today and each has its benefits. When purchasing a game bag there are a number of factors to consider. The key factors include:
- Size and Fit (bone-in or bone-out)
- Quality (stitching, strength, etc.)
- Weight
- Material (cotton, nylon, hybrid)
- Ability to Protect Meat From Flies (how porous? Form-fitting or loose-fitting)
- Miscellaneous Features Such as a Drawstring and Reflectors
- Cost
This review provides what you need to know about the top game bags available for hunters and it will provide you with important information about those bags, including the pluses and minuses of each. We also provide our pick as to the Top Shelf game bag which was difficult since there are so many good game bags available
Caribou Gear Game Bags: Top Shelf Pick
Why you should select the Caribou Gear Game Bag:
Overview:
These game bags are ultra-light yet slightly oversized for the type of quarter for which each size is used. On top of that the construction quality is excellent. These game bags are made of a nylon material that feels a lot like a high quality bed sheet. You can purchase these bags individually or in a “pack” that includes pretty much everything you need when field dressing and packing out your meat. With that said, I must admit, the differences in the Caribou Gear bags and those of Kuiu and Ovis Sacks are very minimal. You will not be disappointed if you purchase Caribou Gear Game Bags. If you are planning on boning out your meat, definitely check out the T.A.G. game bags; those bags are ultra-light and designed to accommodate a lot of de-boned meat.
Features of the Caribou Gear Game Bags:
- Washable
- Heavy duty double stitching
- Seam down 3 sides
- Sized big for loose fit
- Lock loops
- Draw strings
- Light reflector tabs
- Breathable carry case
Price:
- $94.99 for a pack of 7
- $13.99 for a single bag
Weight:
2 lbs for the entire package
Where to buy:
KUIU GAME BAGS (Elk): Top Shelf runner Up
Why you should select the Kuiu Game Bag:
Overview:
This is a feature rich and beautiful game bag sporting the Kuiu reflective logo and orange panels sewn on each side to increase depth. This bag was tailor designed to fit an elk quarter and will not disappoint. The bottom of the bag is tapered just like an elk quarter. Your only concern will be getting it dirty! This was our second favorite bag due to its high quality construction, design and overall look. This might be the most expensive game bag in the bunch we reviewed but it will perform and if you kill an elk you probably won’t care.
Kuiu offers four different sizes:
- Small (small deer) 15in x 25.5in flat, 2.1 oz, 1500 cu in
- Medium (large deer) 19in x 32.5in flat, 3.1 oz, 3200 cu in
- Large (elk) 23.5in x 42.5in flat, 4.5 oz, 5500 cu in
- Extra Large (moose) 28in x 59in flat, 7.2 oz, 11,000 cu in
Note: Kuiu also offers boned-out meat bags. We have not yet reviewed those so we did not include those in this review. Also, we reviewed Kuiu’s large (elk) bags.
Features of the Kuiu Elk Game Bags:
- Washable
- Breathable
- No bottom seam
- radiused bottom
- double stitched
- Orange reflectors
- Breathable
- Cinch closure with heavy duty cord and cord lock
- Orange side panels
- Reflective material on draw cord
- Webbing loops for attachment of Kuiu removable accessory straps
Price:
- $24.00 per bag for elk bags
Weight:
4.5 ounces each bag
Where to buy:
OVIS SACKS GAME BAGS (Elk)
Why you should select the Ovis Sacks Game Bags:
Overview:
The Ovis Sacks Game Bags are a great choice for packing out quarters – this game bag is sold in a complete set and is one of the best values out there for synthetic material game bags. Each Kit Contains: four quarter bags (XL-21″ x 38″), one meat parts bag (XL-15″ x 28″), a 40’ roll of flagging tape, 2 pair of Latex gloves, a 5′ x 3′ plastic sheet, and one storage bag. The entire package weighs 1.65 pounds.
These game bags are very light, and a true fit for an elk quarter. The only downside was the XL bags are on the smaller size relative to the Caribou Gear Game Bag, which makes for a tighter fit and the stitching on the pack we purchased was not as high quality as that of the Caribou and Kuiu bags. These bags are made of nylon. They are a great option and sold at a great price. Because of the price and what you get, you should definitely consider the Ovis Sacks Game Bags.
Features of the Ovis Sacks Game Bags:
- Washable
- Heavy duty double stitching
- Seam down 3 sides
- Sized big for loose fit
- Lock loops
- Draw strings
- Light reflector tabs
- Breathable carry case
- The Ovis Sacks logo is on the bags
Price:
- $59.95 for the pack
Weight:
1.65 pounds
Where to buy:
Ovis Sacks Lightweight Game Bags
Alaska Game Bags
Why you should select the Alaska Game Bags:
Overview:
The Alaska Game Bags are some of the lightest and most affordable bags on the market. They are made of a cotton/nylon mesh material similar to cheese cloth which makes this bag very flexible and able to stretch over an elk quarter. The Alaska Game Bags are easy to use and easy to roll over an elk quarter.
These game bags come in a 4 pack and are 48 inches by 30 inches in size. Each bag weighs approximately .375 lbs and the package of 4 weighs 1.5 lbs.
are ultra-light yet slightly oversized for the type of quarter for which each size is used. On top of that the construction quality is excellent. These game bags are made of a synthetic nylon material that feels a lot like a high quality bed sheet. You can purchase these bags individually or in a “pack” that includes pretty much everything you need when field dressing and packing out your meat. With that said, I must admit, the differences in the Caribou Gear bags and those of Kuiu and Ovis Sacks are very minimal. You will not be disappointed if you purchase Caribou Gear Game Bags. If you are planning on boning out your meat, definitely check out the T.A.G. game bags; those bags are ultra-light and designed to accommodate a lot of de-boned meat.
Features of the Alaska Game Bags:
- Washable
- Breathable
- No Seams
- Form Fitting yet flexible
- Lightweight
Price:
- $12.99 for a 4 pack
Weight:
1.5 lbs for the entire package
Where to buy:
T.A.G. Bags BOMB Pack: Our Top Shelf Pick for Bone Out Bags
Why you should select the T.A.G. BOM (Bone Out Meat Bag) Game Bags:
Overview:
These game bags are made for the backcountry hunter who wants an ultra-light option for packing out meat that has been boned out prior to the pack. The T.A.G. bags are definitely a great option for those who like to bone out their game. However, it is important to note that they will not work as quarter bags. Each kit contains four 14”x34” meat bags, two 14”x20” meat bags, and one storage bag to hold all of the bags. These bags are designed to keep the meat from bunching at the bottom. However, given their small size, you might need to pack a couple extra if you happen to kill a large cow or a large bull and you have enough hunting partners to help you pack out the meat. Also, these bags are a bit pricey given the small size of the entire package.
Features of the Alaska Game Bags:
- Washable
- Washable
- Breathable
- Long slender size helps keep meat from bunching at the bottom of the bag
- Breathable carry case
Price:
- $68.99 for the kit
Weight:
10 ounces for the entire package
