Cooler Space for Elk

[Murdy]

How much cooler space do you need for an average adult male elk? Just ran across a sale, and was wondering how much was enough.

 

[BKC]

All boned out, it will take you a little over 100 quart size. You can buy a 120 to 150 quart sizefrom yeti, cabelas, etc.. If you get the 150 it will allow you to put a little ice inbetween layers of meat. This will take you and a friend to lift it into your truck. If you do not bone it out you will probably need 3-150 quart coolers.

 

[BKC]

I just bought this. This should do the trick.

 

[wolftalonID]

I think thats a red neck coffin. LOL

View attachment 3573 I just bought this. This should do the trick.

 

[Murdy]

Nice, looks a bit bigger than 150 to my eye. Thanks for the info.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I agree with BKC. Bone it out.

 

[Murdy]

Definitely plan on boning anything out. Three 150 quart coolers would barely fit in my Cherokee.

 

[RUTTIN]

View attachment 3573 I just bought this. This should do the trick.

I don't think he is going to bring his elk out whole........Ha Ha......That is one big cooler, where did you find that thing BKC?

 

[BKC]

I don't think he is going to bring his elk out whole........Ha Ha......That is one big cooler, where did you find that thing BKC?

Some guy who sold custom meat out of the back of his truck had it on craigs list. Maybe it is a bit overkill !

 

[jay]

Some guy who sold custom meat out of the back of his truck had it on craigs list. Maybe it is a bit overkill !

Not when your at elk camp for more than a few days. You could keep a bunch of ice in that thing, plus lots of refreshments for after the kill celebration!

 

[BKC]

I turned my elk tag back in and didnt get to use it untill this last weekend. This is a cow buffalo in it with room to spare.

 

[Fink]

I love that cooler. Did it take a crane to pick it up when it was full of buffalo?

 

[Doe Nob]

We killed 2 average sized elk in NM and fit them just about all in 152 quart igloo coolers this fall. If you didn't bone out the fronts, there was no room for ice they just barely fit. To be safe I think I would say, (and what we will do next time) that you can fit all 4 boned quarters with room for ice in a 150 quart cooler. You then need a smaller secondary cooler (50 quart) for the backstraps/tenderloins/neck meat. And I'd take a separate smaller cooler to keep the cape in, you want to keep that cold and dry, so may want to pack with ice on bottom and something in there to keep the cape out of the water and drain often.

If there is 2 of you, you can combine, so 3 150 quart coolers will contain all the elk meat off 2 bulls and 1 more 100 quart for 2 capes and yellowbellies (coors original).