As for meat care it takes 2-120 qt coolers to hold a boned out elk. We buy dry ice in town when we come out of the mountains and put some card board over it and then put the meat in and top it off with ice it makes the ride home fine. Boning out a elk is a pretty good job. And packing it out is a job especially without any help. A couple GOOD buddies make that job easier. Good boots and a good meat hauling pack are a must.
If you end up going diy on public biggest advice I can give you is be ready to walk and get away from the pressure. Of you ain't never been you can shop around and find a good semi or guided trip that won't break the bank and learn and then go back on your own