Cooler for Flying Meat Home

[Doc Holliday]

In the past I have taken a Yeti, but the cooler weighs so much I am not able bring nearly as much meat back as I could if I had a lighter cooler.

My question is how do you all secure the cooler lids on these cheaper coolers with no latches or holes for zip ties? Duct tape?

 

[FLAK]

I killed a Gemsbok on the White Sands a few years back. Had it processed
there (Las Cruces) and the processor froze it and put it in a cooler with wheels and
duct taped the crap out of it. Shipped it 2nd day UPS and it was hard
as a brick when it arrived.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Cheap igloo coolers and duct tape the lid shut. Works very well.

 

[Trial153]

Soft coolers really shine for airline travel if you planning on keeping them u der the 50 pound limit....Calcutta and ice mule are two decent ones.

 

[shader112]

If you are trying to stay under the weight limit, then a cheaper Coleman extreame would be good. Just duct tape a few wraps around the whole cooler on each end and you will be fine. However, in my experience it is pretty difficult to be under that 50# limit. And those higher end coolers definatly hold up better and latch better. So if you are planning on being over and paying the 75$ over weight fee, then your yeti might be the best option

 

[davsco]

met a couple of successful elk hunters at the rifle, colo walmart, they were buying 6-8 of the maybe 48 qt coolers to fly their meat home. i told them there were 120qt coolers in the back but they wanted smaller ones, not sure if easier or airline policy.

 

[Wildlifer]

I got a cheap cooler at Walmart and loaded it up to 48lbs. I didn’t tape it up until I checked it so that they could look inside. I also brought a yeti soft cooler as a carryon. If my cooler was overweight I was going to add more to the soft cooler. I think I’m total I had around 70lbs of processed meat with no extra fees.

 

[FLAK]

Not to Hijack but while we're talkin flyin with meat......
Is everybody flying with frozen meat? or just chilled and
throwing in some ice packs? elaborate please.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Im talking frozen.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Not to Hijack but while we're talkin flyin with meat......
Is everybody flying with frozen meat? or just chilled and
throwing in some ice packs? elaborate please.

I've flown with chilled elk meat(iced over night and right up until we got to the airport) in coolers and have flown with frozen turkey breast in my checked duffle bag in a trash bag.

There was no issues with either method.

 

[timmymac24]

I have been doing this for about 20 years flying back and forth to IL. I fly SWA and they have been awesome about coolers of frozen venison. Stay under 50 pound mark. I tape mine up with duct tape. I have been through several coolers since the luggage tools can be tough on them throwing them around. You can buy one with handles but don't be surprised when they are ripped off. I buy the 20 dollar or so ones that I find at Wally World or TSC on clearance. About a 12 hour day door to door and the meat is always still frozen solid.

 

[timmymac24]

By the way make it clear you have no ice or dry ice in the cooler when you roll up with it.

 

[kravguy]

If it's frozen solid and your flights are only a few hours long, the meat will stay frozen in a tote. Much lighter than a cooler so you can get more meat in there. Grab a roll of duct tape to tape the lid closed. Been going that route for about 20 yrs now.

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[timmymac24]

Krav how much meat can you get in your tote? What tote are you using? Thanks...

 

[Desk Jockey]

Have used a yeti hopper tote as carry on. Weight isn’t an issue apart from having to haul it.

 

[kravguy]

Have used a yeti hopper tote as carry on. Weight isn’t an issue apart from having to haul it.

I've done this as well. Used a yeti bag as a carry on. Had 2 sets of whitetail backstraps and their boned out hind quarters in there.

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[kravguy]

Krav how much meat can you get in your tote? What tote are you using? Thanks...

It's been any run of the mill tote I can find at Walmart or Canadian tire on our way to the airport. You don't want a huge one so you get whacked for an oversized bag. We usually buy one to bring horns and hides home and then another for meat. If the meat is froze solid you won't have any problems. Duct tape the lid on and grab a sharpie for name and address, and you're good to go.

I've had as many as 3 whitetails. Usually take the back straps and bone out the hind quarters. The rest is given to a poor family up the way.

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[7Bartman]

I've done this the last two years using the cheap Walmart cooler method. This year I'm going to add a soft-sided (polar bear 24) to the mix to bring home a little more meat. As others have said, don't duct tape until you get there and make sure your meat is frozen solid. Southwest has been good to me, but last year I had to pay twice (extra baggage and overweight). The overweight was my fault, but nonetheless still the best and cheapest way to get meat home. TSA cut the duct tape on both my coolers (no comment).

 

[fezmomasher]

Can’t beat the Coleman extreme. Or a duffel of frozen meat carried on!


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[SWOHTR]

Screw one or two of these to it and lock it.

National Hardware N103-259 V34 Double Hinge Safety Hasp in Zinc plated - Door Hinges - Amazon.com

National Hardware N103-259 V34 Double Hinge Safety Hasp in Zinc plated - Door Hinges - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com