CARIBOU GEAR “CARNIVORE” ULTRA LITE BIG GAME BAG SYSTEM
Basic Description:
Ultra light, synthetic game bags that are innovative and uniquely constructed for the hardcore hunter who “takes the road less traveled”. If you backpack hunt this lightweight item is what you have been looking for to protect your big game meat from insects, dirt and debris. The innovative construction of these game bags allow for repeated use!
The Facts:
This product was designed for a special type of hunter, someone that is willing to go to the most isolated reaches of the country they are hunting to bring back game meat. This simple, new lightweight, easy to pack system is perfect for the remote backpack hunter in pursuit of trophy deer, sheep, goat or even larger game. This meat only package contains 4 – 24×20 game bags, 4 – ID tags & locks, with a very convenient 36×36 ground tarp, instructions and beneficial hints. Weighing in at only 8 oz, “The Carnivore” is self-contained and packaged in a very durable strong storage bag.
Story:
For years, while guiding and backpack hunting in some of the meanest, most remote terrain of southern Utah I have had the opportunity to pack out a lot of big game meat on my back. During this time I’ve tried everything from pillow cases, garbage sacks, flower sacks, burlap sacks and numerous other game bags in my ongoing search for a ultra lightweight product that would protect the meat, protect my pack/clothing from blood, was compact, breathable, and would not tear or fall apart. After testing Caribou Gear’s Carnivore I believe I have found the perfect, compact product to meet my rigorous demands.
The fabric in the Carnivore’s game sack may look like fine cotton and feel like it but the material is definitely not cotton! I found that the properties in this material wick “away” the moisture from the raw meat that you are packing and is great for air flow and breathability. It also stops flies and small gnats from getting into your meat. This is critical if you are miles from your vehicle. I have always viewed this aspect as being very important to me to prevent spoilage. I have also found that these sacks are very nice to wrap a cape in although they are stamped for “meat only,” so I better not recommend this use! ! !
The bags in the Carnivore system are large enough to pack all of the deboned meat off a big ram or mule deer buck. The Carnivore bags were designed by a self–guided hunter who had personally experienced various hunts from the Southern Rockies to Alaska. Like all of us, he learned some valuable lessons by “trial and error.” After searching for the right fabric and design these bags were made to be ultra light, strong and very compact for the most discriminating, hardcore hunter!
Within the Carnivore system I found four game bags with I.D. tags. The material is a custom nylon fabric that is stain resistant, washable and re-useable. This product was designed for the “never quit” hunter when packing lightweight means the difference between success and failure. The four game bags are designed with the same material (custom nylon fabric), the same reflective attachments, cord locks and for durability. Caribou Gear has also added a nice silk screened logo. (Meat Only) Please note that I really liked the reflective attachments so that I could shine a light on the game bag in the dark while hanging it from a tree to ensure that no rodents or larger animals were bothering the meat. These bags don’t seem to retain any foul smells, wash well and are reusable.
In the terrain and rugged country I hunt we bone all of our big game meat out. This method is always dependent of course upon our location and the size of the animal we are hunting. Once in a great while we are close enough to our truck to quarter up our game meat. I appreciate the fact that Caribou Gear has developed a product line that will suit the hunting needs of different individuals. If you backpack hunt as I do you can buy one product such as the Carnivore that meets your unique situation, or you can purchase the complete line for all of your diverse hunting needs. At $44.95, the Carnivore may be a little expensive for a game bag but I’m willing to pay that price for a quality product.
What They Could Do Better
• Put a “Lifetime” warranty on the “Carnivore.” That would be great but I’m sure that these game bags are not going to last forever if you use them as much as I do. I haven’t found anything wrong with the bags and wouldn’t change the design or system. It functions well.
CARIBOU GEAR, CARNIVORE, ULTRA LITE BIG GAME BAG SYSTEM Review
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Functionality
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Value
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Ergonomics
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Durability
Packing in gear for a big game hunt weight is a primary factor, durability and reliability should be expected. Having multiple sizes of bags is a major bonus, the Carnivore is perfect for packing out high country mulies and keeping the weight down. In Alaska where the moose must be quarter, not boned the moose sized bags will cover the entire quarters. The big game bags are a must have for any serious hunter.
Thanks for commenting, and adding your opion, it really makes this review valuable.
The review of the Caribou Gear game bags is spot on in my eyes. I felt that it was a solid objective review of all the practical applications of the Caribou Gear product line that can be assosciated not only with the Carnivore system, but the entire line of the Caribou Gear game meat retrieval system. I am proud to say that I utilize these game bags as a guide in western Washington when I am packing out meat from remote, back country locations. The game bags not only haul the mail when it comes to Roosevelt Elk and Columbia Black-tail Deer, but also in my home state of Pennsylvania where I use the bags to save steps in processing White-tail Deer, Eastern Wild Turkey, and all my edible game fishes. For example, instead of dragging a deer out of the timber two miles only to hang the animal on a gambrel system to skin and quarter; I am now able to field dress, skin, debone, and pack out only quality meat with my Caribou Gear game bags and a small pack in tarp. Now, all I have to do before I process the venison into my desired cuts is empty my game bags on the butcher block and go to work trimming, sliceing, sawing, or cubing my meat. JOB DONE!!! The Caribou Gear game bag design has not only improved upon the game bag archetype but has also succeeded in restoring the primordial satisfaction of packing out harvested meat. This should be regarded as an accoplishment of no lesser value to a big game huntert than to have bagged a 8 x 8 Monarch bull elk!
With High Regard,
Tom Rados (Caribou Gear Pro Staff Member)
Thanks for the great comments. It really adds to this review. THANKS