Mesh on Game Bags?

[jon math]

I may have asked this before, I did a search but did not find the post. I frequently see old pouches with a fine mesh netting on the front of the body of the pouch called game bags. Is it just a decorative net or is it attached on two sides and the bottom to form a pocket?

I’ve seen the leather straps with a brass or steel O-Ring sewn in the end to make a noose for hanging an animal by a leg or it’s neck; I have a set on a snap hook that I’ll add to the strap of my pouch when birds or squirrels are targets, I’ve even made hasty ones with a piece of cord with a slip knot tied in the end.

 

[Artificer]

Here is where I put in a shameless plug for forum member Capt. Jas. aka James Rogers. Please note I have no business connection to James, though he very generously and kindly aided me in getting some 18th century leather working DVD's.

There is one on his site linked below.
http://fowlingpiece.blogspot.com/

Hopefully he will see this post and respond, as he knows one heck of a lot more about the answers to your questions than many folks.

Gus

 

[necchi]

Good question, honestly.
But I think you need to define historical or contemporary,, current practical field application or Rendezvous dress-up.
I ask about the distinction because few today want to spend $200+ getting a nice hand made pouch that represents a historical item,, and bloody the darn thing in the field.
(I know I don't, when I'm out to harvest game I shamelessly use modern gear)

 

[jon math]

You make a great point. I’ve seen plenty of stunning but unfired rifles, smooth rifles and fowlers up for sale over the years. I myself have an expensive custom made fowler that I simply have not been able to bring myself to shoot. It’s built with a Rice barrel and L&R lock so it certainly is safe to shoot, however the thought of dropping it into the mud or saltwater etc has left me using an old T/C New Englander or a Pedersoil SXS for water fowling and upland game hunting.


Looking at the bag on website that certainly appears to be a functional net bag not just a piece of netting attached to the front of the pouch. I may have found my winter project.

 

[Black Hand]

I myself have an expensive custom made fowler that I simply have not been able to bring myself to shoot.

Guns are made to be shot, otherwise they serve no purpose. Why have a fast sports car if it never leaves the garage...?

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Morning Jon,

The net on the front of a game bag is for carrying game, it's attached at sides and bottom with a light rope through the top. I always started out with my game in the net, to let it cool a bit, then put in the bag proper when the net was full.
as for getting bloodied, it happened a bit, but have had mine since maybe 1970 and it's still OK. Also I have my dads and grandfathers, even his old one and that is likely from the 40's. though the latter is getting a bit ratty.

All the best,
Richard.

 

[jon math]

Meacham Auctions has to have something to sell

 

[jon math]

Thanks for the info. Guess I better start tying knots.

 

[BrownBear]

The mess works great and looks really cool, but I quit using it. In fact I quit putting game in bags altogether.

My issue is that it gets darned heavy on the shoulder when the hunting is good (We have a 20-bird limit on ptarmigan and no bag limit on snowshoe hare). It really interfered with my shooting as well as flat tuckered me out on long walks.

Dunno how correct it is, but my solution is to attach a bunch of whangs with loops on a separate shoulder strap and use that. If the shooting is happening fast I just carry it and the game in one hand and my gun in the other. Time to shoot, just drop it. Time to start the long walk back out of the hills, I just sling it from the shoulder opposite my bag to balance the load. No blood on the bag and lots of airing and cooling.

 

[jon math]

I don’t bag anything either. Deer and turkey are too big and when I shoot smaller game I do the leather noose thing too, or on a squirrel hanger that I copied from instructions from the Muzzleloader magazine DIY section years ago. I’ll no doubt end up making one just because I’ve always like the looks of them, I do not expect it will ever hold game.

 

[BrownBear]

I actually carry a couple of them. They roll up to nothing in a pocket or a haversack, but it's really nice to spread the load to both sides of your body, come time to hike out a mile or two. At around 5# a copy live weight, it doesn't take many mature snowshoe hare to turn into a load. Even gutting them as you go, a dozen snowshoes totes up to close to 40#. Better than 60# live weight, but still a load that's good to put on both sides of your spine.

 

[BrownBear]

...but my solution is to attach a bunch of whangs with loops on a separate shoulder strap and use that. If the shooting is happening fast I just carry it and the game in one hand and my gun in the other. Time to shoot, just drop it. Time to start the long walk back out of the hills, I just sling it from the shoulder opposite my bag to balance the load. No blood on the bag and lots of airing and cooling.

At the time I posted that, I forgot I had a photo of one "game sling" in use. I made this particular one with loosely braided whangs, but I've not been tempted to repeat it on subsequent versions:

 

[jon math]

Very nice!! Thanks for posting it.