Correct cooler size and proper packing for meat

[melsdad]

When you get back to the truck with a successful kill, what size cooler do you have to put your quarters into? Is a 100qt. cooler large enough for a complete whitetail, or does the meat need to be boned to fit? Are 2 coolers this size better than one? I realize outside temperature will have a big effect, but how much ice is needed to properly cool, and preserve your meat?

 

[SidecarFlip]

Substantial corrugated cardboard boxes, newspaper crunpled up and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). No wet ice here, No mess, capability of actually freezing the meat or keeping it frozen if processed on site and packaged and frozen in the first place.

 

[Gene Jr.]

If you're talking a typical PA whitetail, yeah that should be fine. If you bring a 100qt full of ice you can use any other container as a cooler if you need additional room. I've found plastic storage bins to work nicely. Put the ice in trash bags and tie tightly then place the meat on top of the ice.

It's a nice problem to have.

 

[melsdad]

Thanks Gene, and sidecar! Gene are you talking about boned meat or whole quarters and the trimmings?

Sidecar, is dry ice readily available everywhere?

 

[Gene Jr.]

I typically leave the legs/shoulders whole and bone everything else out to put it in the cooler. If needed, it's easy enough to filet the shoulder meat off as well. I prefer not to cut any more bone in the field than needed.

 

[kennygss]

I use Fish "Kill Bags" or "Catch Coolers". They are flexible, light and efficient. This year for example, we put three (3) quartered elk in three bags! Transported them 1500 miles with no issues. Awesome product for game transport and cooling, hold ice very well AND easy to store off season and in the truck. Thank me later here a link to examples.


Kill Bags

 

[Timber338]

I use Fish "Kill Bags" or "Catch Coolers". http://charkbait.com/cs/csdKillBags.htm

Using Kill bags is a fantastic idea all around lightbulb... growing up fishing in the Pacific Ocean I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't think of it myself!

They are a little expensive but given their versatility (large storage capability, light weight, easy to store, etc) I'll have to add them to my Christmas list.

 

[melsdad]

Those kill bags look interesting. How long do they hold ice?

 

[kennygss]

Those kill bags look interesting. How long do they hold ice?

days if unmolested

 

[dewiseman]

Thanks Gene, and sidecar! Gene are you talking about boned meat or whole quarters and the trimmings?

Sidecar, is dry ice readily available everywhere?

It's sold at most WallMarts now adays. FYI for wrapping the meat, I go to goodwill type places, buy king or queen size bedsheets for two to four dollars each and wrap the quarters in that. They are big enough to make a couple wraps around and then use large safety pins to hold them in place. When its all done you just throw them in the washer and bleach them ...ready for next year.

 

[bubba41]

what size kill bags are you using for elk quarters and wheres a good place to buy them

 

[Timber338]

... and wheres a good place to buy them

Was wondering the same thing...

 

[kennygss]

what size kill bags are you using for elk quarters and wheres a good place to buy them

I use the 30 X 60 because thats what I have for the boat. The link I posted is a good place, those bags have a wide botton, rather than an envelope style, which is actually better than my envelope style, since its flat on the bottom. Just remember, if you are traveling long with them, they seep water ( they are designed to) so put a tarp under them if they are inside your vehicle. Ask me how I know. . . . . . . . .

 

[Mike 338]

Those sound like some great ideas. I take 5 coolers for elk and 8 or 10 blocks of ice or old milk containers filled with water and frozen in advance. Put all the ice in two containers and use the extra coolers to stuff gear into. Keep ice coolers in shade with a tarp over them and they'll last a week or more in moderate temps. I've never seen a kill bag but I'll check 'em out. We bone the meat.