Colorado cold storage

[BigFishTacos]

Headed to SW colorado in a month to try and get things done on an elk with my bow, and my hunting buddy also has a bear tag he’s hoping to fill. Anyone know of a meat locker in the vicinity of Montrose where I could hang some game bags of elk or bear while we continue hunting? Not interested in having the meat processed as I’ve been unhappy with the yield in the past and like to keep the trim for dog food.

Thanks

 

[Crowmangler]

What do you mean unhappy with the yield? Don't you know an 800 lb. elk will only net out 104 lbs. of meat??

 

[BigFishTacos]

What do you mean unhappy with the yield? Don't you know an 800 lb. elk will only net out 104 lbs. of meat??

Ha sounds like we went to the same processors.

 

[fracguy]

Ha sounds like we went to the same processors.

Yup I got 106 lbs back from my mule deer last year

 

[Balderdash]

After running into meat processors being booked up, I now take a generator and chest freezer on all warm weather hunts. Gets me back home with the meat in good shape as well.

 

[andr3wxmma]

Yep just rachet strap both down and you can keep everything froze while transporting(meant to quote the post about a small freezer and generator)

 

[Poser]

If you have the cooler capacity, you can just keep the meat on ice. The City Markets in Colorado, of which there are 2 in Montrose, offer blocks of ice during hunting season. Some of the locations have dry ice, too.

 

[butcherboy]

Yup I got 106 lbs back from my mule deer last year

That’s actually a pretty good yield for a mule deer.

 

[BigFishTacos]

Thanks all for the info! I’ve done the ice block thing in the past but I’m always nervous about going out for another 2-3 nights without checking on the meat daily. Really changes our hunting strategy and keeps us anchored to the trucks.

Was considering the freezer route this year, but decided against it because I don’t want the meat to freeze before I process it to maintain quality. I could just run the freezer enough to get things cold, but then I’m back in the situation of having to babysit the meat daily.

I did find a processor in SW colorado who offers cold storage for $20/day, $50 minimum. Seems like a fair price and I’ll get a good cold age on the meat and will get to keep all the scraps for dog food, without having to check the coolers every day. PM me if you want the details on the processor.

 

[taskswap]

After running into meat processors being booked up, I now take a generator and chest freezer on all warm weather hunts. Gets me back home with the meat in good shape as well.

This is the way. You can often even find them cheaply on Craigslist (they're really bulky but not very valuable so when people move, sometimes chest freezers don't make the "cut".) Also, if you're willing to do a temperature controller mod, since you're (probably) not actually trying to freeze the meat, you can run it at about 40F on one or two solar panels if you set it up right.

 

[Poser]

I did find a processor in SW colorado who offers cold storage for $20/day, $50 minimum. Seems like a fair price and I’ll get a good cold age on the meat and will get to keep all the scraps for dog food, without having to check the coolers every day. PM me if you want the details on the processor.

What business is this? People ask me about this all of the time and I'm not aware of anywhere I can refer them to.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Almost all my meat gets frozen before processing, or aged on ice.

And every one always tells me it’s the best they’ve ever had.

Idk where everyone comes up with these make believe theories.

 

[BigFishTacos]

Almost all my meat gets frozen before processing, or aged on ice.

And every one always tells me it’s the best they’ve ever had.

Idk where everyone comes up with these make believe theories.

From meat scientists.

 

[BRTreedogs]

From meat scientists.

You ever seen a scientist in the woods?

Do whatever u want.

Make it really hard on yourself. Let it ruin your hunt.
Let whoever has the 2nd tag be pissed your fiddling around with crap that doesn’t matter.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Probably one of the liberals that believes everything a scientist says.

 

[BigFishTacos]

What business is this? People ask me about this all of the time and I'm not aware of anywhere I can refer them to.

Orvis Springs

You ever seen a scientist in the woods?

Do whatever u want.

Make it really hard on yourself. Let it ruin your hunt.
Let whoever has the 2nd tag be pissed your fiddling around with crap that doesn’t matter.

Triggered much? I posted that I had figured out a solution, but apparently reading (in addition to meat care) isn't your strong suit.

Oh, and yeah, I've seen lots of scientists in the woods. I'm one of them.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Orvis Springs



Triggered much? I posted that I had figured out a solution, but apparently reading (in addition to meat care) isn't your strong suit.

Oh, and yeah, I've seen lots of scientists in the woods. I'm one of them.

My meat always turns out fantastic.

So who are you to say meat care isn’t my strong suit.

IMO you are clueless.

Happy hunting.

 

[Mikebosmans]

Thanks all for the info! I’ve done the ice block thing in the past but I’m always nervous about going out for another 2-3 nights without checking on the meat daily. Really changes our hunting strategy and keeps us anchored to the trucks.

Was considering the freezer route this year, but decided against it because I don’t want the meat to freeze before I process it to maintain quality. I could just run the freezer enough to get things cold, but then I’m back in the situation of having to babysit the meat daily.

I did find a processor in SW colorado who offers cold storage for $20/day, $50 minimum. Seems like a fair price and I’ll get a good cold age on the meat and will get to keep all the scraps for dog food, without having to check the coolers every day. PM me if you want the details on the processor.

You're worrying too much.

We've been hunting mostly first week of September for the last six years. Plenty of bluebirds sunshine days with temps approaching 85°. We don't invest in yeti coolers, just middle of the road Coleman extreme.

Freeze your ice in the absolute largest size black you possibly can fit into the coolers. Keep them inside of plastic bags while in the cooler. And don't keep opening and closing them to check on the ice. We load 4–5 coolers on the bottom layer in the bed of a pick up truck, throw a couple old sleeping bags over them and 14 days After we leave Wisconsin we throw hundreds of pounds of ice out before heading back home.

 

[BigFishTacos]

My meat always turns out fantastic.

So who are you to say meat care isn’t my strong suit.

IMO you are clueless.

Happy hunting.

Haha dude get a life.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Thread 'Freeze first...butcher later'

Feb 24, 2020

I am usually out hunting in September, and typically inherit a few moose quarters from non-residents flying home.
I have them throw the quarters in my freezer. After my Alaska hunting season is done, I take a moose quarter out
on Thursday, it is mostly thawed by Saturday, and I butcher it into roasts, burger, sausage, osso buco cuts that weekend.
Usually one quarter per weekend works well since there is no rush.

I've done the same with November blacktails...by the time I drive home to interior Alaska, the meat bags are frozen
in the back of the truck, they would stay frozen for months...

• AK_Skeeter
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Meat & Trophy Care

go read that thread and quit arguing lol