Cooler size is a very important decision.
We've all asked ourselves this question before, "what size cooler do I need to fit an antelope, mule deer, or elk in?" A lot of thoughts and decisions go into that important question.
The "offseason" is the perfect time to evaluate your gear needs and a cooler is a great thing to look at upgrading or maybe even just deciding what size you need.
In the below video, Randy Newberg helps us answer that question as he goes over his recommendations for different cooler sizes for different hunts.
Summary:
Antelope: at least 55 quarts
Mule deer: 75 quarts (boned out) or possibly 105 quarts
Elk: a total of 200 quarts in different cooler combinations (boned out)
Note: If you want to add a cape, you might need more volume.
For me personally, I use a 105-quart YETI cooler for all my mule deer hunts and if I have the room, I'll bring a 75-quart cooler in case I take a bonus animal like a fall bear or even a wolf in states that allow me to pick up a tag
Also, if you've ever been curious about soft-sided coolers, be sure to check out this article here. I dive into ways I've used a soft cooler when flying to hunting destinations.
We sell a lot of YETI coolers, so be sure to check back often as we get more in stock.
12 Comments
Braden Heidbrink
9/10/2022, 4:00:14 AM
I’ll throw out an alternative option. Just buy a chest freezer that fits your capacity needs. I have a 7 cu.ft. freezer (about 210 qt.) that I have fit a quartered bull and cape in. I throw the freezer in the back of my 2 dr wrangler and it lives in there all season. I just fill it with water in old coolant jugs as ice blocks and run an extension cord to plug it in every night. So if I take off for a weekend or week long hunt everything is ready to go. The freezer keeps the jugs frozen for up to a week that I’ve tested without plugging it in. Comparing to a yeti 210 you can get a freezer for a third the cost ($200-$400) so if you were on a multi week trip you get a power source to run the freezer (cost difference) or plug it into a power inverter while on the road or a power source at hotel if traveling across the country. Chest freezer and yeti 210 weigh the essentially the same and at the end of the season you don’t have a $900 cooler as overhead but an extra freezer to use. If you go this route make sure the freezer has a drain plug.
James Banks
7/21/2022, 1:56:53 PM
I own a 110, 65, and 35. All 3 combined are good enough for Elk, the 65 is good for a Texas whitetail, and the 110 can hold 2 whitetails. If I were to do it all over again, I would probably skip the 110 and just buy a couple more 65s. The 110 is just too big if you end up having to move it yourself, especially loaded full of meat. Also, while Yeti was the first in the space and do make a quality product, there are so many other brands that provide the same quality for a much more affordable price. Tip: 5 old apple/cranberry juice bottles refilled with water and frozen make for a perfect block ice solution in a 65. They lay flat and cover the entire bottom layer. I haven't found a good ice container for the 110 yet.
Harvey Watts
12/20/2021, 7:16:10 PM
I run lifetime 115 and a 77 for elk and the 115 for mule deer. We are going on our first spring bear hunt in Montana this spring. Think the 77 is fine or should I bring the big guy? Can't seem to find legit answers on this.