Typical Bull Elk - How many coolers?

[HunterTim]

Hi,

I did some searching and I think I have a ballpark feel...

How many coolers for the typical bull elk 6x6?

If I score early, I might send the elk to the game processor. If I do, I need to know how many coolers I need. I am thinking that for the typical bull elk 6x6 processed, mostly bone in (no backbone of course, I live in Calif.) Note - including ribs...

One 100 quart cooler and one 60 quart should be plenty.

Can anyone, with experience, confirm this?

Thanks.
(Not sure if it matters, but I am driving to British Colombia.)

 

[Shane]

brought a buddy's home from MT last fall in two 100 qt coolers. That's all cut, wrapped and frozen.

 

[SDHNTR]

took me one big 125-150 qt coffin cooler and an additional medium sized 60 qt one too.

 

[Speckmisser]

My first elk (big 5x5) took all of a 150qt and a good part of a second one. When I got done taking the meat off the carcass, the outfitter fussed at me because there wasn't enough left to make a decent bear bait.

My second elk was a little smaller, still a 5x5... we boned it out in the field, and as a result there was more "waste" than I'm usually comfortable with, but it was pretty much a necessity. That meat filled a 150qt cooler with just barely enough room for a layer of dry ice across the top. That was ALL boneless, no ribs or anything. The skull cap and horns rode home in the camper both times.

At the very least, I'd say get a 150qt cooler. I also strongly recommend spending a little extra for a marine-grade cooler, as it will hold up better with a full load, and it will stay cold longer than one of those $75 specials from WalMart.

 

[Litch]

2 100qt coolers should fit it all with room left for dry ice.

 

[Kentuck]

Butcher in Idaho last year told my elk was one of the largest he'd seen in awhile. We were able to fit the meat in a 150 qt cooler with just enough room to put a layer of dry ice on top. We did give some meat to one of the guys that let us stay at his place a couple of nights there in town. Make sure it's good quality as specmisser said. It was two of us could do to lift it in and out of the truck.

 

[wmidbrook]

I take a 96 and a 125 qt ice chest with me on elk hunts to carry 4 quarters, the loose meat and whatever else back home. I like having the bigger chest for the hind quarters...length can be the issue there...suppose you can saw them into 2 if need be.

 

[hntnnut]

This should do it, all 420 quarts;

COOLER

Richard

 

[tmoniz]

I lost track of how many freezer boxes were loaded into my car after they processed the guy in my avatar. Left 50 pounds at my cousins. 50 pounds at my mom's. And lived off the rest for a year.

 

[quack_head]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hntnnut @ Jul 31 2007, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

This should do it, all 420 quarts;

COOLER

Richard[/b]

Bingo! The best $ ever spent. And it is $$$. You will laugh at others after you buy this. It will hold ice for a week in 95 degrees.

 

[Speckmisser]

I'm giving serious thought to one of their smaller coolers. It's a lot of money, but those things are awesome! They'll hold up to some serious abuse too.

Marine grade is a little more economical, but those "Outfitter's" coolers are the shizzle if you can afford it.

 

[hntnnut]

ya, I'm looking at their 150 Qt. model I really hate lugging more than 1 cooler with me.
+ I like the cutting board in the lid. Remember a good cutting board can cost 80-100 dollers.

Richard

 

[Kentuck]

My only question is, how many guys would it take to carry one of those full????? Dang.

 

[hntnnut]

Probably about as many as it takes to lug a loades coffin around.

Richard

 

[richardoutwest]

No-bone, 150 qt. every bit and no-ice. Two if you are traveling. Dry ice is great as long as it does not get too close to the meat, it will freezer burn it!!

 

[hatchet1]

im with richard on this one . two 150,s will do just fine, face cape your bull, role him up tight, and throw him in there too
and you,ll be good to go!!

 

[HunterTim]

Everyone, thanks for the info.
(I was sort of in the ballpark, but sounds like I might need some more cooler space).
thanks again.

 

[FRISCOHNTR]

I've brought my share back from Colorado, I used to use (4) 60 qts for unprocessed. The smaller size allows for me and one buddy to stack and arrange easily in the trailered jeep. Since the new regs I cut them up and have gotten away with (3) but always bring the fourth for an exceptionally large bull or (hasn't happened yet) a nice cape. Good luck and hope your elk requires as large a cooler that you bring.
Jason

 

[quack_head]

 

[TheHunt]

I made a cedar rack that fits into the cooler. This rack goal is to keep the meat away from the ice. You put your block ice on the bottom and then put the rack then the meat. This will hold the meat for a truck trip from Arizona to Washington state. Done that...