If im going to freeze mice for bait later on do they needto be gutted or can i freeze them whole without bacteria problems thanks in advance

Whole
I used to lay them on a cookie sheet with wax paper to freeze then dump in a quart or gallon ziplock until needed. This kept them from freezing as 1 big lump.

Whole.

I like john's idea.

Was hoping so lol these coyotes around here are really spooky so the more natural the bait the better like mice ,gopher, fresh horse chunks cow afterbirth and baby calf poop seem to be working way better than commercial baits . thanks for the help

I caught a lot of coyotes on just a fresh frozen mouse down a dirthole and a little commercial food lure in other hole.
I froze mine in individual cheap sandwich baggies, one mouse per baggy, and put the baggies in a coffee can with lid and in back of the freezer. When the can was full i had enough for a couple dozen sets plus remakes. Was easy to grab a few baggies to take with me each check. In cold temps late winter i didn't need to worry about thawing or spoiling.
This is about as natural a.prey bait as you can get around here.
Good set for these was a bedded trap, mouse sized hole on opposite sides of the bedded trap, and a little mouse "runway" from hole to hole right over the pan from hole to hole. Fresh mouse in one hole, food lure in other. Looked just like a mouse hole with trail like you see in grassy meadows and pastures around here. Pretty natural bait and set that works for me.
Jim

jim sir that sounds like a good set for my area I get more refusals from commercial baits than I do natural bait. im going to try a few of these sets this season thanks for the idea.