Anyone out there use something other than a Yeti to store their birds while hunting? Something that won't break the bank but does hold its ice awhile?
Cooler on a budget
- Thread starter 2dogs1name
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Last year I got a killer deal on a blue Colman extreme I was Leary but for what I paid (less then 1/2) I tried it. I works great. I don't even put ice cubes. I just freeze gallon jugs The cooler stays cool and the jugs stay frozen for a week. I even got an extreme 5gal and mounted it in the back of the truck. I put a block of ice and fill the rest with cubes and top it off with water stays ice cold for a week in the IV. I just keep adding water as we drink it.
Yetis are awesome. I had one for my boat and it was super cold and super durable. I built my seating around it so I sold it with the boat.
Yetis are awesome. I had one for my boat and it was super cold and super durable. I built my seating around it so I sold it with the boat.
I get my coolers from Costco I got a 150 series for a $100. I do the same thing with the gallon jugs. Once my coolers are cooled down. The ice last for a few days
Another vote for the Coleman Extreme's. Not the dark blue ones, but the lighter blue. Was in the IV for dove opener four days and left the cooler in the back of the truck the whole time. Added ice only once but still had more than half what I started with. These are amazing for the price.
While it may be expensive the Pelican 65qt comes with a lifetime warranty, while the yeti doesn't. I have seen them at Costco once or twice. People have pelican case for years, I have had them for a long time for guns and cameras, anytime I need to talk to customer service it's a joy. Plus pelicans are bear proof and if needed a dry one could be a gun locker as it is padlockable.
It's like buying a Rolex when you are 25, over a life time you get 50+ yrs of value, as you reduce the time price per year goes up.
It's like buying a Rolex when you are 25, over a life time you get 50+ yrs of value, as you reduce the time price per year goes up.
I have the Pelican 45 and 85 quart wheeled coolers and love em. Tough as nails. I don't usually like wheeled coolers but the Pelicans are quite heavy even empty.
S
Shot Slinger
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The Coleman Extereme are good. I use the frozen Gallon Gatorade bottles, once the ice melts you have bird cleaning water or emergency water if needed. They will keep cold for 2 days or so but you do not have a bunch of melted ice water in your cooler with the gallon jugs. I also freeze the small water bottles to put in my game bag or bucket while out hunting. If you keep your eyes open most people throw out coolers with minor issues and you can get spare coolers or spare parts.
I have Engel 65 and 123. They are pretty manageable when empty and very reliable. They aren't wheeled, but I seem to recall a thread on here a couple of years ago where a guy rigged up wheels using an old dolly frame. I'll see if I can find it.
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Ice Blocks . Make a gasket from a hole garbage bag , two bags work better !
I'm considering an RTIC cooler. Half the price of Yeti but appears to be similarly made. They are a direct to consumer company. No retailer in the middle.
Not to rub it in but I won this at the DU dinner last week. I am loving it it's a yeti roadie perfect for day hunts.I also bought a large pelican I think around $300 it works just as good as a yeti. Got it on Amazon. Had it for 2 years now it's as good as new. Also lifetime warranty. But man it is heavy even when it's empty.
One of my buddies fishes a lot so he has some of those real big fish bags. Those work great for game, we were able to get a fully skinned out boar around 250lbs into the bag and pack it with ice. 5 hour drive 95 degrees and the ice held up well. I might pick up a smaller one just for birds. If I do a long distance hunt I will probably try and get a big one like his. Here is a picture to an example bird bag I would want only $90. Maybe a little bigger so I can do snows but when it comes to duck dove quail pheasant this would be perfect and it takes up literally no space this some birds and ice in it and you will be golden.
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Love my yeti 85 going on 4 years now.
Get a tan or any other color than white.
I've looked at other brands they all work.....it's like ford or Chevy
I've been looking to get another but rarely do I use my 160 cheap igloo which its lid is warped hinges broken & plug missing. Next one will be a 90 or a 70 along with my 85 plenty of room for a deboned elk
I thought the old Colemans with the metal outside worked really well back in the day.
That latch held the lid down really well and they were indestructible. The yeti back in the days lol
Get a tan or any other color than white.
I've looked at other brands they all work.....it's like ford or Chevy
I've been looking to get another but rarely do I use my 160 cheap igloo which its lid is warped hinges broken & plug missing. Next one will be a 90 or a 70 along with my 85 plenty of room for a deboned elk
I thought the old Colemans with the metal outside worked really well back in the day.
That latch held the lid down really well and they were indestructible. The yeti back in the days lol
I love my Yetti's, 65 & 75 (both won, NWTF & DU dinners).....My cousin has a Pelican 65 he got for like $60.00 at some outlet store.....Worked every bit as well as the Yetti's and has some features I like even better (heavy duty latches & solid handles).
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I just picked this up...Should work right?