Do you bring a cooler?

[heatstroke18]

Headed to the hills in a few weeks. I’ll be going solo and flying. I have plans to stay moderatly closer to the trails so I don’t have to death hike any meat I get out (if I even get any). I have a processor an hour or so away. My questions is, since I’m not flying with a cooler, and I work my dick off and get the meat out within 24 hours of the kill. Do you think I’ll be fine not putting the meat in a cooler during the pack out and travel until I get to the processor. All things being equal, like keep it in the shade, a cool spot, etc…. If I can’t get it out all in a realistic time I’d go to town and get a cooler, but that seems counter productive.

 

[Bubblehide]

I have way to many questions to even think about attempting to provide an answer.

 

[wapitibob]

I never take a cooler with ice out on a hunt. I pack it all back to the truck, turn the air on and head to town/camp and put it on ice there. But, I'm usually not more than an hour from that ice and I'm not packing very far.
That said, a 120qt cooler from walmart is pretty cheap insurance for a new guy.

 

[Goodtimekiller]

If your truck is by a creek or cool spot you should be fine. I never know where i’ll be parked so i carry one. If you end up not killing anything you can pack your stuff in it and mail it home or check it on the plane.


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[heatstroke18]

I have way to many questions to even think about attempting to provide an answer.

I knew I’d be opening a whole can of worms I didn’t intent to…

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

I bring two. One for ice that I don't open. One for food/drinks.
Cold water can be a delicacy after a shitty hike.

I'm curious what trains your hunting elk by lol

 

[windrunner]

120qt cooler from walmart is pretty cheap insurance for a new guy.

New guy, and i'm bringing a coleman full of ice and some beers for a celebratory beer when I get back to the truck. or to drown my sorrows. Either/or

 

[11boo]

I need a train.

 

[Coveyleader]

No way I'd pass on a cooler. Everything could go right, and you'd be fine. Throw one curveball in there, and you have 200lbs of meat your dog wouldn't touch.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

You'll be just fine.

 

[Coveyleader]

One example......... You arrow an elk, shot not so good. You have to wait.......... Now, you recover elk hours after the shot, in this case you hope it's towards the evening as the night time temps will keep you stable. If not, and you have to pass through another hot day, that meat is going to be suspect. In scenarios like this, I would recommend you keep track of the quarters that were on the ground side during recovery.

In saying all that, if you're hunting high, you have a ton of time compared to lower elevations. The scenario is wide ranging for sure.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I'm still wondering about the trains.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

I'm still wondering about the trains.

Might be how he spells trails. Or spellcheck decided it knew better. I can't tell you how often I read my message before sending and I'm WTF.

 

[nettereo16]

I fly and go straight to Walmart to buy some of my camp food. I also buy 3-4 coolers and put them in the backseat where they stay new. If I don’t need them I return them. Since they are still unused I don’t have any ethical qualms about returning them.

 

[KineKilla]

I always pack a cooler during warm season hunts. I have the luxury of hunting only hours from home so flying with stuff isn't a concern.

I freeze milk jugs of water or 2 liter bottles after each trip and stock a big igloo with those pre-departure. Gives me a relatively cold cooler for meat without having to buy ice blocks every trip.

Once the meat is in said cooler, I will buy additional bagged ice at the first opportunity and add it to the mix.

Don't start hauling meat off the mountain until it is all cut and in quality game bags in a tree or other shady, cool spot if at all possible. Work too hard for this meat to let it go to waste from lack of ice or planning.

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[heatstroke18]

I bring two. One for ice that I don't open. One for food/drinks.
Cold water can be a delicacy after a shitty hike.

I'm curious what trains your hunting elk by lol

The polar express.

 

[heatstroke18]

One example......... You arrow an elk, shot not so good. You have to wait.......... Now, you recover elk hours after the shot, in this case you hope it's towards the evening as the night time temps will keep you stable. If not, and you have to pass through another hot day, that meat is going to be suspect. In scenarios like this, I would recommend you keep track of the quarters that were on the ground side during recovery.

In saying all that, if you're hunting high, you have a ton of time compared to lower elevations. The scenario is wide ranging for sure.

Yea I’ll be 9500+

 

[GringoBling]

I’ve actually never heard of big game hunting without attempting to use a cooler. If you’re too cheap too buy a cooler, seems like you shouldn’t attempt out state big game hunting unless you’re confident you won’t harvest an elk.

 

[camelcluch]

Hang the meat overnight in good game bags and you’ll be fine.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

The polar express.

Them bugling caribou lol