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.

 

[Andrey]

wish I was local and would grab a freezer from my garage. I am flying in, renting a vehicle, and buying some coolers at Home Depot or Lowes, then driving home.. hopefully with something.

 

[Elktrack]

If you go the chest freezer route make sure and separate the layers of meat or you end up with one solid block of meat. And game bags do not act as a barrier.
Ask me how I know….

 

[Irrelevant]

At least 2 ea. Don't count on meat cooling in the cooler. Get it cold before it goes in the cooler then add dry ice to keep it cold.

 

[Andrey]

At least 2 ea. Don't count on meat cooling in the cooler. Get it cold before it goes in the cooler then add dry ice to keep it cold.

So I’ve never purchased dry ice. Googled and it said you can buy it at certain supermarkets. But it might not always be available ?

 

[brymoore]

So I’ve never purchased dry ice. Googled and it said you can buy it at certain supermarkets. But it might not always be available ?

Yes. You can google the area you’re going to find dry ice beforehand.

 

[Addicting]

10lbs per cooler if taped shut will get you home as long as the meat is cold to the touch when sealed in.

Ask them for cardboard, you cannot put it next to the meat. You will need at least 3/8” to 1/2” of space to keep it from burning the meat.

I will usually break it into chunks and put it in the corners of the cooler. Use the cardboard to 45 across so you have a nice triangle.

Once it is sealed with tape, DO NOT open it, just drive home. You will have around 30 hours depending on the weather.

 

[WNC2500]

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.

@Andrey, I used two on my way back from NM for elk. I also got dry ice in Amarillo. First best place that I found. If you need to know the place, you can PM me, but Amarillo was the first place that had it on my way back east.

 

[Archelk]

If you are around an Albertsons or an HEB they usually carry it I believe! @Big Fin done a video years ago about freezing milk jugs with water before your hunt. A two fold purpose is that you can then drink it as it thaws. If you aren’t concerned about drinking it, there is a salt to water ratio you can use that will freeze at a lower temperature to last longer. I have used the milk jug method backfilled with cubed ice with great success. Like I had to bust ice to get milk jugs out of the yeti to put my harvest in.