Fairbanks meat storage/ freezer

[thayerp81]

In the wake of the Fairbanks Fur Tannery tragically burning to the ground, I am doing some snooping around to try to figure out a way to get our meat frozen if were lucky enough to harvest a Caribou. Does anyone have any experience/ contact with another processor or taxidermist who might be willing to rent some freezer space?

 

[OneGunTex]

Following

 

[hamkyl16]

If it’s just to get a freeze on the meat and fly out the next day I just use a hotel like Pikes. Wright air service has freezers.

 

[Smtn10pt]

I would be surprised if someone didn't have a reefer trailer available. Have you tried calling Al?

 

[thayerp81]

I would be surprised if someone didn't have a reefer trailer available. Have you tried calling Al?

I considered calling, but figured he was dealing with enough as it is working to identify and contact everyone with items that were in his shop. I saw where Alaska Trophy Express was still looking for an alternate location for holding meat/capes, I figured if Al was planning on renting another reefer they would be one of the first to know.

I may try calling a little closer to season if nothing has popped up by then.

 

[thayerp81]

Thanks for the heads up, Pikes looks like an amazing place, but a little spendy at $400-$500 a night during our time. I will contact Wrights to see if they’re willing to rent freezer space to non-clients.

 

[HuntHarder]

My Caribou hunt was in 2020, but at that time, Pikes did not have a freezer for us to use. They did have a nice restaurant bar next door tho that occupied a long layover.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Dont rely on Wright Air's freezer, it fills fast. AK Trophy Express is the way ahead, as Al had arrangements with them to have the freezer.

lb

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Just spoke to AK Trophy Express. They have it figured out pretty sweet.

Alaska Pickup Route | alaska-express

Hauling Moose & Caribou from Alaska to the lower 48

www.alaskatrophyexpress.com

Sounds like Al will be helping the flow of things, which is fantastic news, IMO.

 

[thayerp81]

I tried calling Al’s number but it’s just a busy signal. Any idea the reefer will be available for rent to hunters just wanting to freeze their meat? Unless I get an absolute stud I’m not going to bother shipping back antlers and dont need to spend $600 with trophy express.

 

[chucko]

Rent a Vrbo in Fairbanks for a day or 2 then you can cut wrap and freeze your meat to perfection and take care of your gear as well

 

[Larry Bartlett]

yeah i heard the freezer will be day-use as well for hunters. Call Santa's Smokehouse and verify directly.

Address: 2400 Davis Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Hours:
Open ⋅ Closes 6 PM
Confirmed by this business 5 weeks ago

Phone: (907) 456-3885

 

[thayerp81]

Great news, Thank you sir. I'll call Santa's Smokehouse to confirm and will report back here

 

[thayerp81]

I spoke with someone from Santa's Smokehouse. They confirmed that they will have a reefer available for day use by hunters (expected to arrive and be setup Mid August), but it will be locked so will only be available during business hours Monday through Saturday. The guy I talked to was really helpful and indicated that they *might" be able to work something out for after-hours dropoff/ pickup but I'm not going to count on it. going to keep searching for a backup plan just in case.

I also wonder how that'll work out for people us AK Trophy Express that are on tight timelines?

 

[2PBC22]

I had the opposite experience at Santa’s Smoke House (Interior Alaska Fish Processors). We processed our 2x caribou (off bone and wrapped in butcher paper) and just wanted to use their freezer for storage over Labor Day weekend. We had 2 duffels of meat already frozen and the person that runs the show wanted $75 a day to store the meat there Friday - Monday.

We stopped by before our hunt because it was originally our plan to have them process our caribou, but the shop smelled off for a butcher shop, and the main young guy that worked there acted like he couldn’t be bothered. Didn’t inspire confidence so we decided to do it ourselves.

In the end we ended up storing our meat at Dave’s (no idea his last name) place. He’s 84 years old and an absolute gem of a human. After we decided to not use Santa’s Smokehouse, we saw a sign in his driveway that says “Game Cutting” and stopped by to talk with him. He processes about 15 caribou and moose a year as a hobby. I think he charges $2.50 a pound for a basic steak/grind and usually is a 1 day turn around from the way it sounded. Had we been in a bind for time we would have had him process our entire animals. He’s on the right side of Bradway St when heading East out of town. In the end, we paid him $50 to store our meat in one of his freezers over the weekend.

I don’t know how much longer he’ll continue to process game, but i wouldn’t hesitate to use him if needed. It also sounded like if you have a known shipper number with Alaska airlines, he will process your game then ship it from the airport for you.

 

[Versydus]

I had the opposite experience at Santa’s Smoke House (Interior Alaska Fish Processors). We processed our 2x caribou (off bone and wrapped in butcher paper) and just wanted to use their freezer for storage over Labor Day weekend. We had 2 duffels of meat already frozen and the person that runs the show wanted $75 a day to store the meat there Friday - Monday.

We stopped by before our hunt because it was originally our plan to have them process our caribou, but the shop smelled off for a butcher shop, and the main young guy that worked there acted like he couldn’t be bothered. Didn’t inspire confidence so we decided to do it ourselves.

In the end we ended up storing our meat at Dave’s (no idea his last name) place. He’s 84 years old and an absolute gem of a human. After we decided to not use Santa’s Smokehouse, we saw a sign in his driveway that says “Game Cutting” and stopped by to talk with him. He processes about 15 caribou and moose a year as a hobby. I think he charges $2.50 a pound for a basic steak/grind and usually is a 1 day turn around from the way it sounded. Had we been in a bind for time we would have had him process our entire animals. He’s on the right side of Bradway St when heading East out of town. In the end, we paid him $50 to store our meat in one of his freezers over the weekend.

I don’t know how much longer he’ll continue to process game, but i wouldn’t hesitate to use him if needed. It also sounded like if you have a known shipper number with Alaska airlines, he will process your game then ship it from the airport for you.

I sent you a pm for a bit more info

Thanks

 

[2PBC22]

Should be in your inbox.