Ice would be good, but I've never used it, as by the time I get the animal loaded in the F150 and back to town, I'm starting the meat processing. I have however used the cold water from a mountain stream to submerge the carcass in... if available and if I can't get the deer out of the woods alone for one reason or another. You know, terrain, really big deer... really long drag... did I mention laziness?.