I first used Liquid Game Bag 20 years ago and found it to be a great product for keeping blow flies, bees, etc. off of meat during archery elk season. I still carry a 12 oz bottle with me when hunting. Recently at a shoot a few of us were talking about alternatives and both vinager and citric acid were mentioned as good fly repellants to spray on game bags.
Do you have a homemade repellant that works good?
I have used a concoction of tabasco, red pepper flakes and vinegar. Rub it directly on the quarters before placing them in the game bags.
Hint: carry a pair of surgical gloves for rubbing it in, and don't touch anything until you take the gloves off..!
I've been thinking about this since our conversation too Pete. I carry a bottle of white vinegar and an empty spray bottle. I then mix half strength with water and spray the meat liberally.
Didn't someone that night talk about a powder that could be mixed with the water? That would save a little space and weight in my daypack which is always a good thing.
I've heard black pepper sprinkled on the meat works.
Yes, Joe, I think it was powdered citric acid but we never talked about concentration levels and I can't remember who was talking about it.
TA-DAAAAAA. I found it Joe, a discussion on citric acid and concentrations. http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/magazine/citric_acid.htm
Can you just buy citric acid and use the 1oz to 1 gallon of water... There shipping is outrageous.
Black Pepper is what I use from my uncle's advice. Don't need it so much here on the deer, but used it on 3 moose I've taken.
I buy about 3 pounds of it at the Bulk Barn. Get it nice and black throughout the cavity, eyes, ears and nose too.
tukudu, From my reading it looks like just citric acid and water though I thought it said 1 oz to a quart of water. Of course it depends on the concentration.
Tom,
We have always had a lot of black pepper in camp but I can't recall we have ever used it. Can't say why.
Thanks Pete for correction.....going to give it a try.
Actually I was just reading the Alaska Hunter's Ed. site and it says 2 oz to a quart.
That's the stuff. I found it offered on the big auction site for $10.65 with free shipping for 2#.
I think it is probably also available at your local pharmacy or any place that sells canning supplies.
You can buy bulk citric acid at homebrewing / winemaking stores.
I read in one of the popular elk hunting books about a solution of lemon juice and cayenne pepper. You can spray a game bag and let it dry that way. When it gets wet from the meat, the juice and cayenne is "activated".
I've also heard of a liberal coating of black pepper.
homebru
Skinning without using your knife after the initial opening cut - sometimes called "fisting" the hide off - leaves a protective cellular layer on the meat that is less inviting to egg laying flies.
Bags and the mentioned concoctions are helpful too.