Economic and practical methods to keep meat cool

[Tyangelo]

Will be plunked down in 340' targeting deer, elk, and bear.
I'll be taking a couple brand new hunters.
As most of my hunting has consisted of taking care of the harvested game, and heading home right after, I'm looking for some advice on the best and most economical way to store our game via coolers, over the weekend.

I'm assuming skinned and quartered is best, or cut down further to fit in the coolers. Will probably store the coolers in the back of the Ramcharger. Or for deer, is it better to just hang the carcass with skin on, cool it, and store it in the Ramcharger overnight?

All thoughts on the process are appreciated.

[BlackHeart]

Load the coolers with block ice before you leave. Drain them every day.
Bring a pack of those large salmon bags.
Debone, tie the bags tight, smash the ice blocks, and layer ice and bags of meat.
Should be good for three or four days min.

[Tyangelo]

2 questions.
Where can one find blocks of ice?
And
Define "ssalmon bags".

[wildcat111]

you can buy blocks of ice at most gas stations, salmon bags are large bags used to store fish, not sure where to buy them, but i find large zip lock freezer bags work good for deer

[thumper]

Be sure to loosely tuck some old quilts or blankets over, around and under the coolers. It'll double the time the ice will last.

[dj240]

How long can you hang a quarted deer ( in cheese cloth ) outside saftly in this temp. The night temp im sure would be good but am wondering about daytime temps

[recce43]

small deep freezer in back of truck plug into genset . get it cold shut it off start genset when warm

[BlackHeart]

Blocks of ice can be made....use washed milk cartons or jugs. Cut the open when your ready to crush. You'd be suprised how long they last prior to being opened. If you want you can use large water bottles. Start a few weeks before and use your freezer space that the deer will be going into. And save a few bucks.


Salmon bags are quite a bit larger than Ziplocks. Should be able to get them at the fishing hole, or wholesale ....maybe. You can probably put 80lbs of meat in the xxl ones.

The blanket suggestion is a really good one.

[BlackHeart]

Originally Posted by dj240

How long can you hang a quarted deer ( in cheese cloth ) outside saftly in this temp. The night temp im sure would be good but am wondering about daytime temps

The last few days....not more than the morning....by lunchtime it's getting too warm...spoilage will happen very fast.

It's one of the main reasons I do not care to hunt in September.

[Red Bullets]

Get some good water proof bags and double bag your meat. Then submerge in a cool creek. Hide off or deboned for faster cooling.

At these daytime temperatures you have 6 to 8 hours to start cooling before the meat starts to taint.

[Tyangelo]

The milk jug trick is genius! Will get on that right away!

[trouty]

Deboned for sure! You'll be surprised how much heat is retained in the bone.