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Bird in cooler. How long?

Started by Paulmyr, March 24, 2021, 01:14:47 AM

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Paulmyr

How long do you traveling hunters keep a fresh  killed bird in the cooler?
Paul Myrdahl,  Goat trainee

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.". John Wayne, The Shootist.

joey46

Too many variables.  There are cheap coolers and very expensive coolers.  There is hunting in Florida and hunting in Wyoming.  We've kept a few for up to four days buried in ice in a decent cooler.

GobbleNut

First of all, I agree with joey46 and highly recommend anybody going on extended trips where they will be relying on using a cooler get one of the more-expensive, well-insulated ice boxes.  The difference in how long ice will last in them is significant. 

I personally believe that as long as you have the bird well-iced, it will keep for as long as most of us will be on a hunting trip.  Obviously, keeping the bird/meat as cold as possible is the overriding factor.  If I am on a trip that is more than a few days long, I will cape my birds, bone the meat out, and then make sure the meat is consistently iced, and the cape is kept cold, as well. 

I think well-iced meat will keep at least a week and probably up to ten days, although if I knew I was going to be out on a trip that long, I would plan on cooking and eating that bird long before then. Now, if I couldn't keep the bird iced down, I would process it and cook/eat it within a day or two, especially in warm weather. 

If I was planning on keeping the cape for a mount or whatever, I would also have a box of borax on hand to preserve the skin (always have that on extended trips),...as well as proper knives and such to remove all the meat from the tail, wings, head, etc..   

Paulmyr

Thanks for the input guys. I have dailey access to and have kept it burried in ice. Just wondering as I was maybe planning to extend the trip for a few more days. In the past I was able to bring a small freezer for birds but don't have access to electricity this time.
Paul Myrdahl,  Goat trainee

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.". John Wayne, The Shootist.

Old Gobbler

Quote from: Paulmyr on March 24, 2021, 01:14:47 AM
How long do you traveling hunters keep a fresh  killed bird in the cooler?

if your unable to breast him out and take the thighs etc...gut him out and insert frozen water bottles in the chest cavity...bag of ice on each side of the chest and your good to go .... but its easier to just breast him out and take the thigh meat etc...imo
:wave:  OG .....DRAMA FREE .....

-Shannon

falltoms

A good cooler, Dry ice, can keep a good while

Gooserbat

NWTF Booth 1623
One of my personal current interests is nest predators and how a majority of hunters, where legal bait to the extent of chumming coons.  However once they get the predators concentrated they don't control them.

Crghss

x2

I cook the meat then eat some while hot. Then the rest I make sandwiches, tacos or put in salads in the coming days.
Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. ...

deerhunt1988

I've kept breasts/thighs in cooler for 7-10 days multiple times and never had an issue. Make sure water stays off meat.

Dtrkyman

Agree with deerhunt, keep dry, I like wrapping tightly in Saran wrap which also keeps all air out as well.

Wvdanimal

Was somewhat concerned this year in s. Florida  when we killed 2 opening day and so much more stuff to do in the following week.  Meat was heavily iced for 7 days before hitting my freezer. No worries,  looked as good as when I put it in the cooler. Keep water drained off as it melted and always keep fresh ice all the way to the top.

Paulmyr

Thanks again guys. As I am by myself sleeping in the back of my suburban. I think the cooler is my best option. Thought about dry ice but decided against evaporating Co2 in the truck with me. Starting to look like I might not need to extend the trip with a little luck the next couple days ;)
Paul Myrdahl,  Goat trainee

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.". John Wayne, The Shootist.

turkeygod4

I have a 2-3 week trip planned for May where I'll be hunting South Dakota and Wyoming. If I end up harvesting a good Merriam I'll want to have it mounted. So I picked up a 110qr Rtic cooler in the event that I need to keep one cold till I return home and can freeze it or send to taxidermist.

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