Cooler space

[Andrey]

Good day all,

I have 2 elk tags for NM between me and my buddy. How many big 100-120 quart coolers for a deboned elk do I need?

Thank you.

 

[Hunter0925]

Bull or cow? I can get a deboned bull into a 150qt coleman unless he is jumbo. Then I put dry ice on them for a drive.

 

[cgasner1]

Depending on how far your travels are taking you I’d just take a chest freezer

 

[Andrey]

2 bull tags… not that I’m confident we will get 2 bulls in 5 days of NM rifle hunt. Drive from NM to east coast.

 

[cgasner1]

I’d take a big chest freezer I could just drop my quarters in. When you take things off the bone like that it exposes a lot more meat and you’ll loose way more when you trim to process. YMMV I don’t leave home without the freezer

 

[WapitiBob]

Two 120qt coolers will hold a bone in Bull most of the time for me although one NM bull, boned out, filled both those coolers to the brim.
You can also take the lower bone off the hind quarter and shorten it way up.

 

[Andrey]

Yea I was able to get a Canadian Maine moose, in 3 100 quarts. And 1 50. I ChatGPT how many coolers for 2 elk. It said 6-8.

 

[Bill Zent]

Chest freezer and small generator, when thawed at home hang it to age since you will not have time in NM.

 

[Addicting]

Good day all,

I have 2 elk tags for NM between me and my buddy. How many big 100-120 quart coolers for a deboned elk do I need?

Thank you.

I would plan on 3 150’s to leave room for dry ice. 4 120s if that’s what you have. Zero reason for a freezer. I’ve done this trip many times.

If I need more space I will run to Walmart at the next town and buy a cheap one to get me by. Keep the receipt and you can return them in your town if you’re so inclined.

Pro tip
Duct tape the seams shut and then throw a moving blanket over them. Wrap with duct tape and ratchet strap them down.

Even if I take my truck I always use a hitch cargo carrier. The coolers block the plate from the Toll cameras and I can stack them up easier.

 

[brymoore]

My Yeti 210 would just about fit a bone in big body bull. We excluded the fronts because they were too long. We were too lazy to cut the fronts apart.