Hello all,

I am going on my first deer hunt next in 12 days.

What size cooler should I bring to store meat in? Also, I am shooting a buck.

I currently have this size cooler: https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/coleman%C2%AE-60-qt-wheeled-performance-cooler#repChildCatid=1502555

Thank you

I've put a lot of deer in a regular 48qt cooler, once quartered up. That is if you cut the meat layer off the ribs and do not keep the rib bones. Central Texas though, the deer are not huge.
I would get a regular 60+ qt cooler if you are buying one for the trip. The one you gave a link to may not be wide enough to get a rear ham in to. Coleman Xtremes are great and keep ice a long time.
Colman Xtreme Cooler

I always take a 110 quart cooler, but that is for up to 3 animals. I am usually with my boy, and we do have the potential to shoot more than one each. If you have a 60 quart cooler, you are good to go. You should be able to fit a buck and a doe in there. Just quarter out and debone the hams.

You are pretty darn confident that you’ll get a buck. And...I hope you do.

That was my thought! And buying a cooler could jinx it.

I have one of the RTIC 65 qt and it can easily hold a quartered deer (or two). It also keeps ice a very long time. If you want a good heavy duty cooler I recommend this one.

https://www.rticcoolers.com/shop/coolers/roto-molded/RTIC-65-White

But you can but one of the cheaper 65-70 qt cooler's at you favorite discount store that will get the job done at least for a couple years.

Hope you get your deer, good luck.

Yes I am very confident. I will not miss.

60 qt is just fine. Been using a 48 at for a long time! Gotten 2 deer in there barely.

I used 100 qt coolers for many years. That is really larger than needed. Last year I purchased a 70 qt cooler. It is an ideal size. I do not suggest removing the meat from the quarters, in the field. That could lead to an unpleasant experience if you are stopped by a game warden.

I use the 110 to 120 quart coolers for up to two deer (now days it's mostly axis) sized animals quartered out. This leaves plenty of room for ice and thawing and adding more ice over a few days. You can stuff more meat in but it starts to get crowded. I process all the animals I harvest so it is important to ice down to partial ice/bloody water, drain and repeat for a few days. If you are taking to a processor then you could have more meat in the cooler. Just have enough ice to get you there.

As long as you keep the heads that are tagged, the meat, however cut up, will not be an issue with a game warden. Unless you have 6 round roasts and only two heads!!!

^^^^^

Yep, bad idea.

60qt and above should be good. Good luck on the hunt, report back

My 75 qt Bison held 3 does quartered just fine, But it was too dang heavy for me to handle by myself.

Its better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I hope you get him too - hunt hard!