I'm a gear nerd from way back. If you've followed my articles for very long, you know this. I love being prepared for what any hunt might throw me and having the proper gear is one of the best ways to go about it.
Knowledge and experience are probably the top advantages any hunter will have while afield, but the next on the list would have to be adequate gear. Most everyone knows that the best pieces of gear (aside from your weapon) are the ones that can be used for multiple tasks.
Multi-Use Gear
There are several pieces of gear we have in our packs that can be used for multiple tasks. A good fixed-blade knife can be used for cutting meat, cutting rope, self-defense, etc. Paracord can be used for hanging game bags high in a tree, tying things down, and replacing broken shoelaces among other things. Electrical tape, Tenacious Tape, and duct tape all have a myriad of uses. Make sure you have some of all of this in your pack.
The wonderful, yet simple piece of gear that I've used recently for several things on hunts is the classic contractor bag. It weighs absolutely nothing but is so handy that it should be in every single hunting pack from here to the East Coast. I keep one or two in my kill kit.
Contractor Bag Uses
In the past two weeks alone, I've used a contractor bag for several jobs. I've used it to keep meat clean in the field as they are taken off the animal. This is huge when you're in the field and you need to set the meat down for a minute before either boning it out or placing it in a game bag. It also serves as a great workspace while boning out meat.
Another use for the contractor bag is using it as a pack liner (as long as the meat has cooled). It'll keep the blood off your pack while you're on the pack out. This is an important use for not only keeping the pack cleaner and lasting longer, but especially for guys that hunt in Grizzly bear country.
Aside from meat protection and transport, you can use a contractor bag to protect your gear or even yourself from the elements as a makeshift pack cover or poncho. Some people have even used the bag as a survival blanket.
I've used a contractor bag as a ground sheet before when I forgot my normal piece of Tyvek. It's a bit slippery if the ground isn't flat but it works because it's so thick, that it protects your sleeping pad and keeps away moisture.
Here's a good one I've never tried but I know people that have. If you have two contractor bags, you can use them to cross small creeks and streams. Yes! A makeshift set of waders!
Make A Difference
Then, there's the use for what it was intended, a garbage bag. Don't forget that! I once had the end of the hunt turn into a major trash retrieval session. It's never too late to make a difference within the public land we all enjoy. Do your part!
There are plenty of other uses for this amazingly simple, light, and cheap piece of gear that everyone should be carrying. If you have experience with different uses for a contractor bag on your hunts, we'd love to hear about it. So be sure to leave it in the comments for everyone to read. Let's help each other when we can.
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