What size cooler do I need for ELK?
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Ward
20-Aug-07
I JUST GOT A NEW 150 QT. COOLER IS THAT ENOUGH?
From: mn_archer
20-Aug-07
It sure is if you debone it. Remember, you need room for ice/dry Ice, but that is a large cooler.
Good hunting-
michael
From: BigWoods
20-Aug-07
Bring another one for the hide!
From: Kurve
20-Aug-07
that'll definitely hold enough beer
From: fishnski
21-Aug-07
a bunch of salt is better than a cooler for the skin
From: BlacktailStalker
21-Aug-07
Yes that will work fine. I used a 150 qt coleman marine cooler last year and had a bit of room to spare.
From: BULELK1
21-Aug-07
I can put a boned out elk in my 120 qt. cooler with 2 bags of ice spread out thru the meat.
Heads-up... ya need two guys to move the cooler after it is full!!!! ha
Positive thinking... you will be fine.
Good luck, Robb
From: RLong
21-Aug-07
We use the 100qt coolers. Remember...you have to be able to carry it, and remain within the weight limits for flying. We also avoid ice. If you debone and have your meat frozen at the butcher, you'll be fine with lining your cooler with newspaper, and taping it shut for shipping. We fly from WA state to PA, and the meat is still frozen solid upon arrival home. nearly 15hrs later.
From: Dan the bugle man
21-Aug-07
hey Ward We use 2 120 qt coolers with about 3 bags of ice in each. the problem with the\150 qt is not only the weight is that your meat must be cool when you put it in the cooler if not the heat of the meat will stay in the center and you might have some bad meat . I suggest you let the water drain out as you drive home and add ice as needed. Good luck Laters Dan TBM
From: Straight —» Arrow
21-Aug-07
a fully buthered and cutup cow took up almost all of a 150 qt cooler last time I shot one....just enough room for dry ice. Stayed frozen solid for over two days while I drove home.
From: Booner@laptop
21-Aug-07
Ward--I hope you're driving. Airlines have a 50# limitation per bag on checked in luggage. Don't know what their max weight for oversize is, but you will pay $80 per bag over the limit.
A 48 qt cooler will be more than big enough to stay under the 50# weight limitation.
From: bubbys dad
21-Aug-07
do you put the meat in plastic bags then in the cooler w/ice? I thought you don't want the meat to get wet?
From: RLong
21-Aug-07
Booners right. We payed I believe $75 the last few times for overweight bags. We use 2 coolers.
From: AZStickman
21-Aug-07
I use 2 100qt coolers.... I can use plenty of ice to get the meat cooled down quicker and they are manageable weight wise....Plus I picked up my 2 coolers for less than the cost of one 150 qt..... Terry
From: DJ
21-Aug-07
Like Terry, I've found a couple of Coleman's Xtreme 100-quart coolers with the wheels ($70 each) to be just the ticket for capacity and ease of handling.
