A method is described to facilitate the retrieval of polyester bags from ruminally cannulated cattle. The system consists of 2 major components, i) an accommodation vessel for multiple polyester bags in the form of an opaque nylon stocking, referred to as the "receptacle," and ii) a shorter stocking, knotted with a loop on one end to attach to the receptacle, referred to as the "catcher." The catcher is tied on the other end to the inside of the cannula plug. Sample bags are inserted in tandem into the receptacle, separated from each other by a tight knot. The receptacle is tied to the catcher and subsequently inserted into the rumen. Upon retrieval, receptacles are pulled out only far enough to expose the first bag to be removed. This procedure ensures easy bag retrieval without exposing the remaining bags (intended for further incubation) to air.