Game Bag Sizing Explained: 17x20 vs Larger Bags for Big Game

Quick answer

For most deer and pronghorn hunts, a 17x20 game bag is the right middle ground: light, packable, and large enough for bone-in or boned-out quarters. For elk, step up to a larger quarter bag or a multi-bag kit, and for moose, choose a full kit built for meat-on-bone quarters. Buy the size that matches the largest animal you realistically expect to pack out, not the average one.

Game bag sizing is one of those decisions that feels minor until you are three miles from the trailhead with a warm quarter and a bag that is either too small to cover it or so large it swallows your whole pack. The right size depends less on brand loyalty and more on the animal, the quarter size, and how you plan to cool and carry the meat.

This guide breaks down the common 17x20 game bag size, explains when you need a larger big game meat bag, and gives you a simple sizing chart you can use before your next hunt. It also covers the trade-offs you will actually feel in the field, from pack space to airflow to how easily you can find your meat in the dark.

What 17x20 actually means in the field

A 17x20 game bag is roughly 17 inches wide by 20 inches long, which puts it in the middle of the packable game bag range. That footprint fits most boned-out deer and pronghorn quarters, and it can handle bone-in quarters from smaller animals if you work the bag down over the meat. It is also a common size for carrying loose trim, backstraps, and tenderloins without dedicating a full quarter bag to each cut.

The number matters because game bags work by covering meat, not by stretching to fit it. If the bag is too small, you end up with exposed meat, torn fabric, or a frustrating fight in the dark. If it is too large, you add bulk and weight to your pack and the meat can shift around, which makes clean carrying harder. A 17x20 bag is the Goldilocks size for many solo deer hunters, but it is not a universal answer.

• Measure your largest expected quarter at home with a tape or a spare pillowcase before you buy.
• Remember that bone-in quarters take up noticeably more room than boned-out meat.
• Carry one spare bag per animal; a punctured or lost bag is a real problem.

When to size up: elk, moose, and bone-in quarters

Elk quarters are heavier and bulkier than deer quarters, and many hunters prefer to leave the bone in for the pack out. That combination quickly outgrows a standard 17x20 bag. For elk, look for larger quarter bags or a kit that includes multiple bag sizes so you can separate each quarter and still have a bag for loose meat. If you are chasing the best game bag for elk, prioritize coverage and durability over saving two ounces.

Moose pushes the sizing question even further. A mature bull moose can produce meat-on-bone quarters that are simply too large for a deer-sized bag. A dedicated moose kit is the practical answer because it includes enough bags to handle all four quarters plus trim, and it is built with fabric and stitching that can take the weight. Trying to force a moose quarter into a smaller bag risks losing meat to dirt and flies, which defeats the purpose of carrying bags at all.

• If you hunt elk and deer with the same kit, choose the elk-capable size and use the extra room for deer.
• For moose, do not improvise with a stack of deer bags; a full kit is more reliable.
• Bone-in meat needs more bag than the same cut boned out, so size for your preferred method.

A simple game bag sizing chart

Use this chart as a starting point, then adjust for how you quarter and whether you leave bone in. The goal is to cover meat fully with a little slack for tying, not to fill every inch of the bag.

Keep in mind that these are practical field categories, not strict rules. A large deer can overlap with a small elk, and a young moose can be smaller than a mature bull. When in doubt, size up for the primary animal you hunt and accept a little extra fabric on smaller game.

• Deer and pronghorn, boned out: 17x20 bag works well for most quarters.
• Deer, bone-in: 17x20 can work, but a slightly larger quarter bag is easier.
• Elk, boned out: use a large quarter bag or a multi-bag kit.
• Elk, bone-in: size up to a dedicated elk or large quarter bag.
• Moose: use a full moose kit sized for meat-on-bone quarters.

Fabric, weight, and features that affect your size choice

The best size in the world will not help if the fabric cannot handle a heavy quarter or if the bag is impossible to find at night. Look for strong, durable, reusable, and lightweight game bag fabric, because those traits let you carry a larger bag without a weight penalty. Reflective logos and reflective trim are small details that make a real difference when you are locating meat in the dark or marking a cache.

Weight ratings matter too, but they are only useful if you understand what they refer to. A bag rated to 275 pounds, for example, tells you the fabric and construction are intended for serious loads, not that you should fill it to that number. Match the bag's capacity to your animal and packing style, and treat any weight rating as a ceiling rather than a target.

• Choose reusable fabric over disposable bags if you hunt more than once a season.
• Reflective elements help you find meat caches before dawn or after dark.
• A larger bag made of light fabric often beats a smaller bag that forces you to double up.

How many bags do you actually need?

For deer, four quarter bags plus one or two smaller bags for trim and backstraps is a common setup. For elk, plan on four large quarter bags and at least one or two additional bags for loose meat. For moose, a complete kit is the simplest way to avoid counting bags in the field while the clock is running.

If you are building your own set instead of buying a kit, count the cuts you typically keep and add one spare. Running out of bags mid-quarter is one of the few problems you cannot solve with a knife and a good attitude. A kit solves this by matching bag count and size to the animal, which is why moose and elk hunters often prefer them over piecemeal purchases.

• Deer: 4 quarter bags plus 1-2 trim bags.
• Elk: 4 large quarter bags plus 2 trim bags.
• Moose: a complete kit designed for meat-on-bone quarters.

Decision rules for choosing your game bag size

• Rule 1: Size for the largest animal you will hunt this season: If elk or moose is on the tag, buy bags that fit those quarters. A larger bag works fine on a deer; a deer-sized bag will not work on an elk. Checkpoint: your primary animal, not your average animal, sets the size.
• Rule 2: Bone-in means size up: Leaving bone in adds bulk and irregular shape. If you plan to pack bone-in quarters, choose a larger quarter bag or a kit that includes them. Checkpoint: boned-out hunters can often stay with 17x20; bone-in hunters should not.
• Rule 3: Match bag count to your cuts: Four quarters plus trim is the baseline. Add one spare bag for every animal you plan to take, and consider a kit for elk or moose to avoid miscounting. Checkpoint: count your cuts, then add a spare before you leave the truck.
• Rule 4: Prioritize fabric and visibility over saving an ounce: Strong, durable, reusable, lightweight fabric with reflective elements is worth more in the field than the lightest possible bag that tears or disappears in the dark. Checkpoint: if you cannot find or trust the bag, the size does not matter.

Products that match these sizing decisions

• Moose Kit Game Bag Set: Designed to fit an entire Alaskan Yukon bull moose with meat-on-bone quarters, the Argali Moose Kit includes all of the game bags you will need for any moose hunt, made with strong, durable, re-usable and lightweight game bag fabric with reflective logos and 275 lb reflective trim. If you are hunting moose or the largest elk, this kit removes the guesswork of matching bag count and size to meat-on-bone quarters, and the reflective details help you find meat in low light.
• Owyhee 1P Tent: Named one of the best backpacking tents of the year by Backpacker Magazine, the Owyhee 1P Tent is an ultralight 1 person shelter that pitches quickly and easily and will keep you dry in any weather, with enough room to sleep you and all your gear. A roomy solo shelter lets you keep game bags and meat-cooling gear organized at camp, which matters on solo hunts where you are handling the whole pack out yourself.
• Skyline Ti Titanium Wood Stove: The Skyline Ti titanium wood stove is a collapsible, packable wood stove designed for backcountry and backpacking adventures to turn your tent into a warm, dry palace, at slightly over 2 pounds, with a TrussLoc leg system and a stove box size that can heat small or large tents. A dry, warm camp helps you manage meat and gear over multiple days, and the packable titanium design keeps your base weight low enough to carry larger game bags when the animal demands it.

Who each size is for

Best for

• Deer and pronghorn hunters who bone out meat and want a packable 17x20 game bag.
• Solo hunters who need a light, reusable bag that covers most quarters without extra bulk.
• Hunters who want a simple, low-cost starting point before adding larger bags for elk.

Not for

• Elk hunters who plan to pack bone-in quarters and need a larger quarter bag.
• Moose hunters who need a full kit sized for meat-on-bone quarters.
• Hunters who regularly take multiple large animals and need a complete multi-bag system.

Choose your game bag size by the largest animal you realistically expect to pack out, then adjust for bone-in quarters and the number of cuts you keep. A 17x20 bag covers most deer and pronghorn work, while elk and moose demand larger bags or a complete kit. Buy for coverage and durability first, and you will spend less time fighting bags and more time getting meat cooled.