Game Bag Gear Reviews

Western Game Bags

One of the most popular threads I see online is, “I drew my first tag out west for elk,” or, “I am going on my first mule deer hunt, what gear do I need?” For me, one of the first and most important things I feel every hunter needs in their pack at all times is a set of game bags. Yes, there are some very cheap options out there, but they aren’t great and they only last for one use. In today’s market, there are many options for quality game bags, and in my opinion, they are well worth the investment if you plan on doing any sort of hunting out west, or anywhere else, for that matter.

Today’s bags are made from a variety of synthetic materials that serve many purposes. First and foremost, they keep meat clean and bug-free, while allowing air to flow through the fabric and circulate around quarters and loose meat to cool it down as quickly as possible. We owe it to the animals that we kill to do this, and proper meat care is directly related to how good that table fare will be when we get it home. Other than one, I have personally used or handled each of the products within this review, and in my opinion, every product in the next few pages is worthy of your hard-earned money.

Take the time to read about each product’s attributes and see which bags or sets of bags best match your hunting style. Once you make the investment, take the time to care for them in the field and properly clean and store them when you get home, and they will last for many years.

Caribou Gear

I don’t know how many years ago it was, but I do remember how excited I was the first time I saw a set of Caribou Gear game bags. For years I had used the single-use variety that tended to rip like old pantyhose every time it snagged on a limb. So, the first time I held a set of Caribou bags, I was no very excited. I can attest to how good of a product Caribou Gear makes, as I have used them for years. I have several sets, and each of them has been washed and reused many times.

Caribou Gear bags are designed to breathe and feel like cotton, but being made from a synthetic fabric, they are much more durable than cotton and very light and packable. Each bag has light-reflective attachments so they light up when you shine a light on them. Believe me, this is handier than you would think. Each bag has a sizing tag that tells you the dimensions of that particular bag, which is nice for keeping organized. Industrial upholstery thread is used for the stitching. As I mentioned, with extensive use, I have yet to have a bag fail. These bags have locking loops on the top for hanging to dry and also for attaching ID tags. Each bag also has a drawstring cord to tighten down to keep bugs off of your meat.

There are several different packs to choose from:

The Wapiti M.O.B (Meat On Bone)
Mule M.O.B
Caribou M.O.B
Carnivore Boned-Out Game Bags
Magnum Pack Set
Magnum Pack

Each pack has several bags, but for example, the Wapiti M.O.B includes four 23”x 40” quarter bags, one 16”x30” meat parts bag, and one vented storage bag. That package weighs 21 ounces and measures 6.75”x5.5”. For more info visit caribougear.com

Kuiu

Kuiu has a reputation for making great gear and their game bags are no exception. Made from lightweight, high-strength, breathable nylon, these bags are made to last. The nylon construction not only keeps insects and debris off of your meat but also cools game fast and dries very quickly if it gets wet. This is key because moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, so the last thing you want is a bag that stays wet for a long time.

Another cool feature of the Kuiu bags is the use of side-panel-constructed seams which eliminates the bottom seam. The lack of a bottom seam does away with the fear of the bottom coming out of the bags with heavy loads in them. The seams are double-needle-felled for ultimate seam strength. The side panels are also made from a high-visibility blaze orange so people don’t mistake you for an animal while carrying out game. These bags also have a radiused bottom to match the shape of quarters.

The tops of the bags have a heavy-duty cord and cord lock to seal out bugs and debris. Their webbing loops and drawcords have a reflective material so they are easy to spot with a headlamp.

Kuiu game bags are sold individually:

Small - 15”x25.5”, 2.1 oz
Medium - 19”x32.5”, 3.1 oz
Large - 23.5”x42.5”, 4.5 oz
Extra Large - 28”x59”, 7.2 oz

Kuiu also makes Boned Out Bags from the same material. These bags look like little duffel bags, complete with reflective handles and a full-length YKK #5 zipper.

For more info, visit kuiu.com

Argali

One recent entrant to the game bag market is Argali Outdoors. When I first received these bags in the summer of 2020, I was amazed at how small and lightweight the sets were. Argali Bags are made from a nylon blend material that is extremely lightweight, breathable, and durable. These bags are so lightweight that I feel they cool meat down somewhat more quickly than some other bags. With only one season using these bags, time will tell if being so lightweight will sacrifice durability, but thus far I have used this set on a couple of critters, and they are holding up great.

Each bag has two nylon webbing tabs from which the bag and its contents can be hung. The drawstring cord is made from a reflective 275 lb paracord with a cord lock that makes cinching the bag around the quarter possible and keeps out flies and larvae.

Bags may be purchased individually, but I recommend purchasing them in the packs, which are lightweight and in a nice, logo-ed stuff sack.

There are several packs available like the High Country Pack Ultra Light Game Bag Set that includes five 17”x29” bags which measure 6.5”x 3.5”x2.5”, and weigh 9 oz for $69.99.

The Large Game M.O.B. Pack Game Bag Set includes four 24”x40” quarter bags, one 17”x29” bag for spare meat parts, and a stuff sack that measures 10”x8”x2” and weighs 15 oz for $79.99.

Argali also offers a Boned-Out Moose Game Bag Set. For more info visit argalioutdoors.com

Born and Raised Outdoors

The guys from BRO set out to make a unique yet effective game bag and it seems like they have done just that. Although I haven’t seen these bags in person yet, I am excited to try them out this fall. The bags have an anatomical shape, but the unique thing about them is the full-length zipper that runs the full length of the bag. Some may think this sounds silly, but if you have ever tried to pull a game bag over a big elk hindquarter with one hand while trying to hold the quarter with the other, you may see why this would be nice. You can open the zipper and lay the bag down, then simply lay the quarter in the bag, fold it over, and zip it up.

BRO bags are constructed in the USA from an Airwave ripstop nylon material that breathes well and is very durable. The outside of the bags is also DWR treated to fight moisture and blood. The drawstring is 550 reflective paracord.

The Born and Raised Meat Bags come in a resealable plastic bag. In the package are four 41.5”x23” quarter bags and one 28x15.5” boned-out bag for extra meat. Total weight: 20.5 oz. Price: $149.99. For more information visit bornandraisedoutdoors.com

Black Ovis

I first received the Ovis Sacks Lightweight Game Bags late last summer, right before leaving for my Nevada archery mule deer hunt. Not knowing anything about their game bags, I just threw them in my pack and headed off on my hunt. So, in all honesty, the first time I opened the package was when my buck was on the ground. Luckily for me, they turned out to be great.

These bags are made from a stain-resistant, breathable, and durable lightweight Taslan nylon material. The bags have a sturdy drawstring that I had no issue with while hanging them, full. Each bag has a reflective strip that goes all the way around the circumference on the lower side of each bag, making them easy to see with a light when it’s dark.

Another cool thing about these game bag sets is each comes with latex gloves, flagging tape, and a plastic sheet that you can lay meat on to keep it clean while field-dressing.

These sets come in two sizes. The large, $59.95, contains four 15”x28” quarter bags, one 14”x18” meat parts bag, measures 7”x7”x3” and weighs 1.2 lb.

The XL kit, $69.95, contains four 21”x38” quarter bags, one 15”x28” meat parts bag, measures 7”x7”x3” and weighs 1.65 lb.

Both sets also contain 40’ of flagging tape, two pairs of latex gloves, and the 5’x3’ plastic sheet. Bags can also be purchased individually. For more info, visit blackovis.com

The Elk Collective teamed with Black Ovis to make their own set of game bags. These use the same materials as the standard Black Ovis bags. These sets contain four 22”x 33” bags, one 16”x 20” meat parts bag, and all of the field dressing materials in the other Black Ovis kits for $69.95. Find these at theelkcollective.com and blackovis.com

T.A.G.

A game bag manufacturer that has been around quite a while but hasn’t gotten the press of some companies is Pristine Ventures, makers of the T.A.G game bags. Several guys in my hunting circle, including my dad, have been using these great bags for many years.

T.A.G bags are made from what they call a “Game Vent” synthetic material. This material is a special nylon that is weaved and dyed in a unique way, which offers a precise thread count and fabric construction that allows for maximum breathability and airflow to quickly cool down its contents while providing strength and durability.

T.A.G Bags are available individually or in sets like the TAG BOMB (Boned-Out Meat Bags) Set at $70, which contains four 14”x 34” bags, two 14”x 20” bags and weighs 10 oz.

The XL BOMB Bag Set, $75, contains four 18”x 30” bags, two 14”x 20” bags, and weighs 11.7 oz.

The Moose BOMB Bag Set, $175, contains eleven 18”x 30” bags, two 14”x 20” bags, one 28”x 60” bag, and weighs 2 lb.

There are also the Tag Bags Set of 5, $80, which contains five 24”x 44” bags, and the Tags Bags set of 6, $85, which contains six 28”x 60” bags. For more info visit pristineventures.com

VIAM Outdoors

For those looking for an ultralight option, another good choice is VIAM Outdoors. Viam makes their bags from 1.35-ounce ripstop nylon. VIAM also uses a hexagon pattern that makes their bags lightweight, very strong, and durable. Being very lightweight and thin, meat also cools quickly in these bags, which is the goal, along with keeping meat free of debris and bugs.

VIAM bags also have a hanging tab made of fluorescent pink 550 paracord with reflective tracers. Not only is the cord strong enough for holding heavy loads, but spotting the bags even in low light or dark conditions with a light is guaranteed.

VIAM also offers an anti-microbial option that uses silver-infused fabric that reduces bacterial growth.

VIAM bags can be bought individually or in sets. “The Bob” Boned-Out Wilderness Set includes six 12”x24” bags and weighs 7.2 ounces. $63.

Ultralight Hunter includes four 16”x 33” bags, two 16”x22” bags, and one 24”x38” bag and weighs 12.8 ounces. $72.

Hunter Includes four 24”x38” bags, one 16”x33” bag, one 16”x22” bag, weighs 15.3 ounces, cost $76.50.

Anti-Microbial Hunter is the same as the regular Hunter but uses silver infused fabric, costs $85.50.

Guide includes four 26”x 45” bags, one 16”x33” bag, one 16”x 22” bag, weighs 17.1 ounces, costs $85.50.

Alces includes four 28”x 60” bags, one 26”x 45” bag, one 16”x33” bag, one medium 1.9 oz. G3. Weighs 1 lb 10 oz, costs $125.

For more info visit viamoutdoors.com