Cooler/Camp question?

[Rusto 23]

First happy hunting to everyone who is able to get out opening weekend. Unfortunately due to work it will be a couple of weeks before I can get to my stand.

My question is about the size of cooler to keep a deer in after you harvest it. Would like to know what your setup is for these first warmer days. Here are my questions...

What kind/size of cooler due you keep your deer in after you process it at camp? Also do you quarter your deer, debone, or just put it in the cooler whole?
Lastly do you just pack the cooler with ice on top of game, set game on top of ice?

Our camp is about a 3 hour drive from home and was wondering what everyone else does.

Thanks in Advance for you Time and Knowledge,
Rusto

[JustinJ]

Illegal to process any farther than quarters until you get home, so no deboning.

[Patton]

Illegal to process any farther than quarters until you get home, so no deboning.

Not always true- In some cases a Walk In Cooler can be considered a 'Final Destination'. It's isn't super clear cut, I have a thread about it somewhere.

[Texans42]

Illegal to process any farther than quarters until you get home, so no deboning.

You can debone, you just can separate the meat past quarter. Bone in doesn't define it as quarter

[JustinJ]

Not always true- In some cases a Walk In Cooler can be considered a 'Final Destination'. It's isn't super clear cut, I have a thread about it somewhere.

True, but in 99% of cases you can't go past quartering.

[Patton]

True, but in 99% of cases you can't go past quartering.

If you have an appropriate walk in cooler and record book, you can (I think)

Here is that thread I'm talking about:

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566094

[blntrey3]

110 Quart Igloo Cooler Opposite Drain end, Quartered, Packed with Ice and Propped up to allow Blood and water to drain.

[kd350]

Quarter and throw on ice. Unless there's a walk in around, just use a big white igloo. 120 qt maybe?

[CaptainDave]

110 Quart Igloo Cooler Opposite Drain end, Quartered, Packed with Ice and Propped up to allow Blood and water to drain.

X2

The laws on deboning can be a bit confusing. We just quarter, pack in ice, and drain. It's actually good practice to bleed out the meat for a couple days regardless.

[Dejashoot]

I'm not risking a ticket by deboning. I put in a 100 quart cooler and drain water for a few days until I get home. I like to leave meat on ice for a week.

[texan4ut]

110 Quart Igloo Cooler Opposite Drain end, Quartered, Packed with Ice and Propped up to allow Blood and water to drain.

This is what I do. Quarter, get the back straps, tender loin and ice on top, drain opened. Sometiimes if I am in a hurry I quarter and ice the rib cage and all. Then finish at home.

[ColinR]

Looks like your hunting the hill country (Edwards co) so in that case you can fit a deer in a 65 qt cooler if its quartered. Just pit it in with ice, keep it drained and your good to go.

[Outbreaker]

I use a 120 igloo for the meat and a 145 Rtic to keep ice in and for back up space.

The Rtic does not run Ice fast enough for my liking.

[mikeyb_23]

I use a 70 brute box. Throw a bag of ice or 2 in the bottom them layer the quarters with more ice on top. Usually try and leave it in there for about a week. When I add ice I add it to the bottom first them some more on top. It will drain easier if not sitting on bottom of cooler, always leave the drain plug loose.

[flywise]

OP
large igloo
lots of ice and I try to keep it in the camper where the ac is blowing
if not possible keep it in the shade covered in a blanket