Storing Game Meat "All Winter" Cache or Meat Pole Discussion

[Sourdough]

If this get any traction, I'll post more information. But for now I have a fair amount of heavy logging chain, and considering running it from tree to tree to serve as a meat pole. The short coming of a wood meat pole is that squirrels and marten and ermine, wolverine can traverse the pole.

The goal is winter storage of meat in the north country, secured from birds and mice and other small meat-eaters. The meat would most likely be quarters of moose. This would be for emergency all winter and/or temporary storage while processing. And only used October through March.

[Alaskajohn]

Sourdough, how high off the ground do you hang the meat, and as the snow falls, do you move the meat higher or do you account for the rising snow when you hang it?

The squirrels, ermine and marten are pretty devious in my parts. Are they not able to traverse the chain hanging parallel? How do you keep the birds off?

[dalewick]

For birds and mice have you tried covering the meat in a heavy canvas wrap. Maybe mix fat or petroleum jelly with red pepper powder and place it at both ends of the chain. Either way they will lick it (Off of feet or on chain) and have something else to think about. You can also use petroleum jelly and lye and if they lick it, they die. A couple 110 conibears for the marten, ermine and squirrels and skin them out and hang in a tree for the birds and mice to eat. Give them something to work on easier than your meat pole.

Now for that wolverine... A 330 conibear at each end with some marten meat and beaver castor, and maybe some singed moose hide and you have a nice hide for market.

Good luck!

Dale

I don't know how well petroleum jelly does with your kind of cold. You might be able to use glycerine or beaver fat.

[Sourdough]

Well........I have lucked-out and found the most perfect location for this project. I had to fell one tree to make it perfect, as that tree was too close to where the meat pole will be built.

I find that I am more concerned with starving to death in the future, then I had ever considered possible in the past.

[Alaskajohn]

How tall will your pole be? As you know, I purchased an old homestead and the cache is only about 10 feet off the ground. Most I’ve seen are higher so I have always wondered on what the height should be for meat poles and caches.

I share your concerns about sustainability...

[Sourdough]

I have not decided on the height. With my Brown Bears, I figure they could reach nine to ten foot, and try to swat a chunk of meat. Their mouth would likely only reach to seven or eight foot to bite and pull meat down.

Then you have to figure in the front quarter is longer then the hind quarter, so figure four foot plus the rope would be four to eight inches from pole to the top of the meat. So to be fairly safe I would want the lowest part of the pole fifteen foot above ground.

I have considered the snow, but if they are standing on their hind feet swatting, then a 800 to 1,400 pound Brown Bear would be compressing the snow to an inch or two. When I take my snowshoes off I simply post'hole clear to the ground. So I am not concerned with the snow being a factor. Plus I could shovel the snow right under the meat.

I can later move some dirt and lower the ground if a problem develops, but I'll likely mount the meat pole sixteen foot high.

I don't think that the "Classic" Cache was very often used for meat. If they did not have a meat pole, my guess is they hung meat off the outside of the cache. Actually simply throwing the meat quarters up on the cabin roof was general practice, and cover with branches to keep the birds off. Thing is that meat was generally so plentiful, that it was not precious.

They used the classic cache for precious things that could not be replaced for eight or ten months if lost. Actually the "Real" caches served as emergency shelter and clothing and sleeping bag storage. If the cabin burned down (fairly common) they would move into the cache for survival. There they would need spare everything to stay alive. I doubt they would put meat in with spare boots, clothes, pots and pans, etc.

How tall will your pole be? As you know, I purchased an old homestead and the cache is only about 10 feet off the ground. Most I’ve seen are higher so I have always wondered on what the height should be for meat poles and caches.

I share your concerns about sustainability...

[Sourdough]

I do need to order some new game bags, and cheap sheets to cover the meat. Maybe some stainless steel meat hanging hooks. I have two or three hooks for hanging quarters. Should also plan for a small stout table near, but not under the meat. And a few 8" nails to hang saws and knives.