Packing Like a Pro

Best practices for packing game meat on long journeys home

By Dominic Trimboli

So you’ve field dressed your hunted game and are wondering the best way to pack it into your cooler to get home? Can you just shove it in the cooler with a bunch of snow and call it good, do you need to use dry ice, should you leave the bones in or take them out?

Today the crew from MEAT! are answering all these questions and providing you the best tips and tricks on how to get your hunted game home safely, with maximum quality.

In this article we’re going to focus specifically on field dressed. If you’d like more information on how to field dress your game, the best ways to get it across country back home or how much cooler space you’ll need for various animals, then check out the respective articles in this series.

Should I debone my hunted game before taking it home?

When it comes to transporting game across state lines you’ll need to comply with federal and state regulations, which can vary depending on what type of game you’re hunting and the location you do it.

The best option is to take basic steps to protect yourself from the most stringent restrictions and always check the regulations of the states you’ll be travelling through before heading out on your hunting trip.

Best Practices for Transporting Game Across State Lines

1. Debone and vacuum-seal meat to meet most state requirements and reduce weight.
2. Check regulations for both the hunting state and destination state before travel.
3. Contact state wildlife agencies for clarification and updates.
4. Declare game at state borders if required; some states have inspection checkpoints.

How much cooler space do you need to pack hunted game?

The general rule of thumb for cooler size needed for hunted game is that for every 100lbs of deboned meat, you need at least 60 quarts of cooler space. If you prefer cubic feet, you need at least 2.5ft³ for every 50lbs of meat according to the USDA.

Here’s a list of the average amount of meat you can expect to harvest from each animal, and an estimate of the cooler space needed to bring it home. Keep in mind, these are estimates and the amount of space you actually need will vary from case to case.

Reminder: You also need to fit ice into the coolers with the meat. If you’re not sure how much space you’ll need, it’s better to overestimate than underestimate.

Moose

• Approximately 500 lbs. deboned
• 3 x 150qt. coolers

Elk

• 200–300 lbs. deboned
• 2 × 100qt. coolers

Deer (Whitetail/Mule)

• 60-100 lbs.
• 60-100qt. cooler

Antelope

• 50 lbs.
• 50qt. cooler

Grizzly or Brown Bear

• Upwards of 200lbs. meat
• At least 2 100qt. coolers

Black Bear

• 100-150lbs. meat
• 100–150qt. cooler

Turkey

• 6–10lbs. per bird
• 20qt. for one bird
• 15qt. per bird when packing multiple

Pheasant

• 1.5lbs. per bird
• 5 birds fit in 20qt.

Duck

• 1lbs. per bird.
• 6–8 birds in 20qt. cooler