Liquid Game Bag, ETC.

[Pete McMiller]

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?

[Tater]

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..!

[Whip]

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.

[southpawshooter]

I've heard black pepper sprinkled on the meat works.

[Pete McMiller]

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.

[Pete McMiller]

TA-DAAAAAA.  I found it Joe, a discussion on citric acid and concentrations.    http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/magazine/citric_acid.htm

[tukudu]

Can you just buy citric acid and use the 1oz to 1 gallon of water... There shipping is outrageous.

[Hopewell Tom]

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.

[Pete McMiller]

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.

[tukudu]

Thanks Pete for correction.....going to give it a try.

[Pete McMiller]

Actually I was just reading the Alaska Hunter's Ed. site and it says 2 oz to a quart.

[Whip]

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.

[Homebru]

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

[Shaun]

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.