Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Amount of Cooler Space?

[align:left][/align] Folks I have finally been drawn for a Bull Elk Tag in Wyoming, after 7 years of waiting! While I have been fortunate enough to Mule Deer hunt the Cowboy state for the past several years, I have always flown and donated the meat to the Needy. On this excursion I plan to drive from Virginia, and bring back the meat IF SUCCESSFUL!
My question is how much cooler space will I need to bring back a processed Bull Elk? I have a 150Qt Grizzly, and two 77 quart Lifetime Coolers. I also plan to take a 55 quart Lifetime Cooler for the Cape. Am I anywhere close to needed space. I will be driving a Full-Sized SUV , so taking a small Chest Freezer and Generator is not a possibility. Any Help and Input greatly appreciated! Thank You for your time.

Can you call the processor you'll be using and ask them?
I would venture your 150 qt and a 77 qt would be plenty.
Will you be taking it in whole or quartered?
If you're quartering in the field, less meat makes it to the cooler.

The outfitter I use...............Generally takes the animal in Whole..........Unless it is a Very Rare Situation whereas they are forced to Quarter in the Field. So may guess would be Whole. I have transported a couple of Canadian Moose and they took up two 150's. Thoughts?

I asked the same question last year.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-bull-elk-x-x-quart-coolers#Post17151626

Thank You Sakoluvr......................Your post and replies nailed it right on the head............I do appreciate the reference.

The very best of luck to you!

The largest Igloo and another about half that size will easily hold an average size boned-out, packaged bull. I've had three bulls that weighed somewhat over 500 lbs. gutted. I don't know weight of packaged meat but would guess 260 lbs., maybe more.

Thank You...................Hopefully I can Post a Picture of a Wyoming Bull.

Get a small chest freezer (7 cuft).

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hotpoint-6-9-Cu-Ft-Manual-Defrost-Chest-Freezer/5002179205

Mount a cargo carrier in your receiver (2”). The one that Northern Tool works perfectly. I put a piece of 1/2” plywood in the bottom.

https://www.northerntool.com/produc...aterial-aluminum-model-hcca-2249-5035430

600W+ Inverter running off a plug into your 7 pin trailer wiring harness. You’ll need to fabricate the adapter.

Freezer will pull less than 100 watts running approx 1/2 the time, but needs the bigger size to start the compressor.

That’s what I did.

There is a huge difference on the amount of cooler space needed to take the animal to the processor and to bring the processed meat back and it seems like some of the answers are for one and some are for another.

A 150 quart cooler and a 77 quart cooler is just about perfect for 1 bull elk cut and wrapped. That will leave just the right abount of space for ice.

Let's define bull first. Many units in WY allow you to shoot a spike. A spike and a mature 6 pt are two different animals. A boned mature bull will fit in a 150 qt cooler if it's cold enough not to need much ice. A spike will fit with room for ice. If its not cold, put a hint quarter in a separate cooler with ice in both coolers.

If your guy is processing the elk, it should come wrapped and frozen. A bull will fit in a 150 qt cooler. I'd suggest taking a couple old/cheap sleeping bags and placing on top of the cooler for the ride home. Pack the cooler by the tailgate with acces from the tailgate. You won't want to be lifting or moving that cooler much.

As to the hide, I get all the fat off I could, salt it, roll up and out in a separate cooler with alot of ice. Once the hair starts slipping, it's done.

Most of all - have fun!

If he shoots a spike in area 7, lol yikes....

You should be fine with a 150qt and your 77qt. Worst case is you have to cut the lower shank off the front quarters to fit in the 77qt, but that takes about 30secs.

With CWD rules, I would not be driving back displaying the antlers on the roof of your SUV if the skull is attached unless it is perfectly clean. Most States have similar rules regarding this. Do your research. Just my opinion.

Last year, I looked into the CWD transport rules for every State that I would be driving through. The wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong wildlife official could mean confiscation. Keep those antlers inside the vehicle. Also, those antlers are a prime target for thieves.

My last processed bull took a 150 and two 60 qts. But, I also had no grind done, they froze trim in 6-7 lb increments, so that may have taken up a bit more space.

So you have about a 28 hour drive.
If you can switch drivers, drive straight through.
I would freeze everything solid. Use dry ice as needed for top layer in coolers....separate with towel to avoid freezer burn.
Get some rigid foam insulation from a building supply in WY to put the coolers on....keeps floorboard heat from getting to the coolers.
Put sleeping bags or whatever you have over the coolers.

Good luck

Did the OP state he had a ‘hunt area’ 7 tag?

We’ve driven small freezers out in an SUV.

We’ve also had boned elk frozen solid in coolers……before the trip home, in September.

Meat was fine, later processed at home……despite what any expert may declare.

Thanks to everyone for your insight..................I Do appreciate your knowledge and wisdom!
As for what Zone I have No Idea, as my License has yet to arrive and the outfitter took care of all the application process. I can tell you it is up near Buffalo Wyoming in Sheridan County.
Also the Outfitter totally capes the animal and cuts the skull plate off so that it will be ready for the taxidermist. In addition they thoroughly clean what plate is left attached.
As for Thieves, I Totally Agree with you and can Appreciate Your Insight, as I spent 30 years as a Virginia State Trooper; thus my User Name.
Thanks again Guys, as always the Campfire has the Best Boots on the Ground Info on the Net!

I misread the post, saw 7 years and must've thought area 7. Either way, you wouldn't shoot a spike in area 7, and a big bull will fit in a 150qt and 77qt cooler.


Now go be outraged about something else.

I think you are on track. I use a 150 and 120 for a large elk, boned, wrapped, frozen. I’m not sure you can make it to VA without crossing CWD rule states. I also bring a 54 in case I don’t need both big coolers.

Be careful with dry ice inside your vehicle. Dirt naps not allowed!

99% of success is the details. Don't concern yourself with those.