Flying after a successful hunt

[Bait57]

How does everybody pack the meat back home? I am going to be flying to and from a hunt this year so I am looking for suggestions.

I figure I'll just check a few coolers full of frozen meat for the plane ride home and maybe some in a carry on bag. I may ship my gear to a friends house minus my gun. Probably ship my gear back to my house as well.

 

[cohunt]

Depends on where you are flying from/to and on which airline.

First thing to do is check regulation/rules of the airline you will fly on

 

[Bait57]

Depends on where you are flying from/to and on which airline.

First thing to do is check regulation/rules of the airline you will fly on

I will be flying here in the US. I have already checked the policy for the airline and there is no problem with them.

 

[matemike]

After I harvested a moose in Alaska I flew back to Houston with frozen back strap steaks in a checked cooler. I was not the only guy flying from Fairbanks with a cooler that morning.
The rest of the meat, couple hundred pounds worth, was all processed in Alaska and then over night shipped to me. All that got expensive. But the burgers, dogs, sausage, roasts etc. was all fantastic.

 

[Greyfox]

I do it all the time, as long as the flight is same day(ie. Alberta and Wyoming to NE). Freeze the meat before you leave and pack well wrapped in plastic bags in a container with insulating material or clothing. We have done this numerous times and meat, and capes as well, have remained frozen for 8-10 hours. There is a charge for the 4xtra baggage. The only risk is an overnight delay, or lost luggage. Been lucky so far.

 

[Elkeater]

After I harvested a moose in Alaska I flew back to Houston with frozen back strap steaks in a checked cooler. I was not the only guy flying from Fairbanks with a cooler that morning.
The rest of the meat, couple hundred pounds worth, was all processed in Alaska and then over night shipped to me. All that got expensive. But the burgers, dogs, sausage, roasts etc. was all fantastic.

Any idea on the cost of just shipping frozen meat? I can process at home and don't need a processor to do it for me I just want deboned meat shipped.

 

[matemike]

It was 2007, so just off the top of my head I got some 250 pounds overnighted from Alaska to Texas for ~$500.

 

[6x6 elk]

On my last elk hunt to New Mexico all the processors wanted you to use a company that specializes in shipping meet. From what I recall they were charging $45 per cooler, and the shipping on top of that was right around three dollars a pound. For a full elk, it would take 4 to 5 coolers.So as you can imagine that really adds up on top of your processing fee.

 

[Bigdog425]

I have flown with meat many times. Sometimes with meat frozen and some with dry ice. Frozen preferred as certain airlines (United) charge big time to take dry ice. Southwest does not charge...and is generally easier to fly with guns, coolers, etc. Also had meat shipped to me, but that required a friend's help on shipping end and was in general a pain.
As mentioned, with a good cooler same day trip no issue.
For guns, recommend TSA locks for every spot on your case that takes them. Don't like using TSA locks but IMHO more pain now trying to avoid.
Good luck.

 

[Bait57]

Thanks everybody for the replies!!! I am looking to make back up plans is why is ask. Depending on what happens with my job and when I get called back to work is gonna depend on what happens.

Since I drew a once in a lifetime tag here in North Dakota I'm gonna come back for that for sure. As a temp move right now we are going back home to VA because I haven't been called back to work and it doesn't look like I'll be getting called be till winter if I'm lucky.

At least with the flying option I could have a few more days to hunt.

 

[JMB 1911]

fly out with your clothes in coolers. Ship your clothed back home and check the coolers and meat.

Shipping it is ludicrous I shot my elk on the last day and couldn't butcher and pack it so. As I recall shipping back to CT was about $500

 

[Bait57]

fly out with your clothes in coolers. Ship your clothed back home and check the coolers and meat.

Shipping it is ludicrous I shot my elk on the last day and couldn't butcher and pack it so. As I recall shipping back to CT was about $500

The plan right now is to ship my clothes. Only checked bag on the trip to my hunt will be my gun in a case with my optics. The return trip if I am successful with be shipping my clothes, check my gun and two coolers plus a carry on full of frozen meat. According to the airlines that will work

 

[Highvoltage]

Don't forget about the rack as well

 

[Bait57]

Don't forget about the rack as well

I didnt get a tag for a rack. My tag is a cow elk here in ND so there is no rack. Hopefully I'll be able to get one.