Freezer in elk camp?

[bigm789]

We're heading to Colorado in a couple of weeks for first rifle season. This will be my first elk hunt, but the group i will be with have been hunting the same spot for years. We're taking a chest freezer and inverter generator. The plan is to throw the elk quarters in the freezer and then bring them back for processing. Temperatures are supposed to be in the 30's at night and mid 60's during the day. I think the freezer will be great for not having to worry about spoilage, but my concern is the freezing, thawing, processing, vacuum sealing and then re-freezing process might effect the final product? I wouldn't think it would be too big of a deal for the meat that's ground, but what about any steaks? Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I've certainly tossed boned in quarters in a freezer, then a couple weeks later thawed them and butchered + vacuumed sealed. I couldn't taste the difference.

 

[MNElkNut]

Done it a number of years (and elk). No issues. Did it this year in fact.

 

[bigm789]

Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to respond!

 

[Ladykiller]

Set your freezer the coldest it will go. The colder it is, the quicker meat freezes, the smaller the ice crystals that are produced, and therefore the less cell wall damage during the freezing process. The process is known as flash freezing.

 

[Rzrbck918]

That will work. We run a freezer off a generator but it takes quite a while to freeze a quarter. We have hung them overnight and let them cool as much as possible prior to putting them in the freezer. Id take the freezer filled mostly filled with ice as well.

 

[Mountainguide]

We also bring one, for ice and food storage also. We fill up gallon milk jugs for the coolers to keep meat cold during the long drive home. Works great