Elk Hunt - Thinking of flying

[taz_gerstman]

Hello everyone. So the question(s) are simple but the discussion may be lengthy. I plan to apply this year for a New Mexico elk tag for this coming October. I will hopefully be returning to a guide that I have used in the past. Unfortunately this time the two guys who went with me last time will not be going this time so that leaves me solo. It is hard to find good, honest and committed hunters for something like this. So since I live in Alabama and since we drove last time I thought about maybe flying. I can get there in about 4 to 5 hours instead of taking 2 or 3 days of driving and I may be better relaxed. So having never flown anywhere for a hunting trip that brings up a lot of questions. Questions like should I fly with my rifles or have a local lic dealer ship them to a lic dealer out there and pick them up, or if I do harvest an elk how do they get all the meat back home and the horns etc. I am sure they ship that sort of stuff but mainly I am looking for advice, information, dos and donts, be aware of ______, feedback from all of you who have experience in traveling while hunting. What rifle/ammo cases do you recommend and why? What type of extra locking features, what precautions should I take, etc. I am pretty sure there is plenty of information here and advice on what to do and what to expect. I will be sure to touch base with my local airlines to better understand the TSA rules and what they may recommend. Thanks everyone.

 

[Marine4life]

My recommendation is if you are successful then be prepared to rent a vehicle, buy two 150 qt ice chests and drive home. Way to much money in my opinion to ship elk meat and horns. I frequently fly with firearms and it is pretty easy but call your specific airline and make sure. You will need an airline approved case and locks but typically have to open the case at the counter. So keep your keys handy. The only issue I have ever had is with ammo. I hand load and now put my hand loaded ammo in a factory box because one Airline gave me crap about not being in the factory container. Also, if you are doing a muzzleloader hunt they won’t let you fly with the powder so be prepared to buy on the other end. Carry your optics with you on the plane. Knives, saws etc obviously need to go in your check baggage.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bozeman]

I’m from west AL, drove solo to NW CO last year.....enjoy the drive and time of solitude!

 

[Farmerlentz]

I drive from Maine to Wyoming every fall 38 hours straight through it's kinda theraputic and gives you some time to get ready mentally

 

[tex0373]

South MS here and have flown to Idaho to hunt elk twice, once with rifles. I recommend a SKB brand case, we have used them for rifles and bows. They are great cases and have $1500 worth of insurance to cover damage if something happens. Pelican makes some sturdy looking cases. We came back the first time with meat and it fit in 4 medium ice chests with dry ice. There is a max weight of dry ice so check with specific airline. We flew southwest and just paid for the extra ice chests as additional checked baggage and kept them close to the weight requirements.

How this helps, good luck!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

I flew last year to AZ to help my brother with an elk hunt. Didn't bring a firearm, so can't help you there. I did bring my optics on the plane with me. I checked two bags. One was the Kuiu Taku 9000. That had my loaded pack, boots, food, and trekking poles. The other was a big Cabela's bag with all of my clothes. It wasn't too bad.

 

[MtnOyster]

i'll end up flying out there one day just to gain a few days of hunting, 19-20 hours one way of running hard as I can to hunt the area I like but I do enjoy the drive out there, coming home empty handed is what makes the drive home suck.

 

[7Bartman]

I fly out to Idaho to bowhunt every year. A couple of things that I've found that work for me.
I prefer Southwest airlines as you get two bags for free. Your rifle case will likely exceed 62 (L+W+H) linear inches so you might get charged for an oversize bag (~$75), however they haven't charged me for my bowcase yet. I take out some of the foam in my bowcase and replace it with some of my clothes. You can also bring a small dayback (I use cabelas elite scout pack) along with your carry on.
As far as TSA guidelines for weapons, you can look those up, but it doesn't seem overly complicated. Just lock your gun case and have the keys to the locks on you. TSA will ask you to open the locks so they can inspect. Just allow yourself extra time.
Where you need contingency planning is IF you get an elk. Here's where you have to make some decisions IMO.
As far as meat: 1) You can take to a butcher and have them ship it to you (the outfitter should be able to help facilitate this). 2) Rent a car and buy some coolers and drive it back. 3) If you can find a way to freeze the meat solid, take it back on the plane with you (oversize and overweight fees will apply). Taking approximately half my elk back this year cost me $225 + $30 in cheap walmart coolers. A side option is to mail your hunting items back to you and then you'll have 2 extra bags + carry-on (no weight restrictions) for the plane. Coming from Alabama you're likely going to have some stopovers, so plan accordingly.

 

[cknlg1]

Its a tough question... being from Illinois/Iowa border I feel your pain. However it comes down to what is more important, Time or Money. Never personally had an experience trying to fly with a set of antlers but can only refer to a very good friend that hunted Caribou in the Arctic. Said his shipping costs were so unexpectedly extreme he would never do that trip again. Driving to Montana again this year. Don't like it, would rather be there in a few hours but the ultimate convenience of traveling at your own pace, no TSA bullshit and having your own transportation definitely has its perks. If you decide to fly I believe that will make a good post when you return.

 

[jmez]

Have a buddy from upstate NY that flies out every year to hunt elk. He ships all of his gear UPS and just brings a carry on on the plane. I ship his stuff home for him after the hunt. Not sure if your outfitter would be willing to help you with that but worth checking into. We bowhunt so don't have the gun issue.

He takes his elk home on dry ice in rubbermaid totes from wall mart. That is way cheaper than having the processor ship it to you. If you like to process your own then have a butcher cut the steaks and vacuum pack the rest of the meat.

Antlers are an issue if you shoot a big one. The smaller airports in hunting locales will usually put them on the planes. They won't guarantee that the larger airports for connecting flights will. If big you will likely have to split the skull plate and tape them together, then cover all of the tines with empty shotgun shells or garden hose taped in place. Outfitter should be able to help with that.

 

[KHNC]

The unfortunate thing is that its a 96% chance you wont have to worry about it. Good luck n the draw!

 

[taz_gerstman]

Thanks for the boost of confidence there KHNC. hahaha. yes there is always that chance of not getting a tag at all. i know the first year myself and two others applied for a NM archery elk tag we actually got it. i was shocked. first time to ever apply and actually go. So hoping now i have those same odds. The guide does have private land owner tags that are guaranteed but they usually cost a bit more and dont know if he has anything rifle related on any of those currently.

 

[njdoxie]

I fly out every year, I have a friend in CO who keeps my camping gear, I check as luggage a large suitcase and a guncase, the suitcase is stuffed with hunting gear and clothes and some camping gear, I keep this under 50lbs to avoid overweight charges.

If I get an elk, I have it processed and frozen, then I ship my clothes and gear back via usps, then I pack my suitcase full of meat, I pack a small cooler full of meat, I pack a backpack full of meat and leave the rest with my friend. I stopped bringing antlers back, I have no use for them anymore, I leave them with my friend, I used to bring them back on United though, all raghorns, covered the tips with pieces of garden hose and taped over the skull plate. I used to fly United which has stricter weight limits, this year I'm flying southwest as it's easier to make last minute flight changes (in case I get elk at the last minute) and they allow bags from 50lb - 100lb for one charge. I have an old aluminum gun case which seems bullet proof, I don't know who makes it though.

A lot of people will try to tell you to drive or to fly, I'm not one of those, driving is right for some and flying is right for others. For a lot of reasons flying is right for me, but there's no one right answer. I like walking out my front door and being in Denver in 7 hours, instead of driving for 32 hours over 2 days.

 

[Southforkguy]

Ive flown out to Arizona a few times, no real issues with archery equipment. Just pack your bowcase with a bunch of clothing etc. Keep the broadheads and sharps in one place with your suitcase/duffel. Bow case counts as checked luggage, suitcase checked and my Revolution Fortress 4800 is my carry on with optics and Nalgene, passport etc. Pretty easy actually. Grab a rental when you arrive at destination. Never flown home with meat, i would probably split the skull and throw the rack in my checked suitcase, freeze yhe meat and carry it on in a soft cooler

 

[PA Hunter]

I always drive I like all my crap with me. I make a vacation out of it and take my time.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

We flew out to CO this past year. I had a muzzleloader, as has been said, no powder or primers are allowed on the plane. I ordered online and picked them up from the Bass Pro in Denver when I landed. Stove fuel cannot be flown, lighters can be carried on your person but not checked.

Your rifle will have to be in a hard sided case with locks that only you can open, not TSA locks. If it is inside another bag, that bag has to have a TSA lock on it. Ammo can be inside the same case but not in the weapon, you’re limited to a number of lbs depending on the airline, but all of them will let you take a box.

The bull we killed was early enough in the trip to have it processed locally and frozen, it was shipped back in 49.5 lb $15 coolers from Wal-Mart with dry ice. That’s the cheapest way to do it, but airline fees can get expensive for 3rd, 4th, etc bags. You have to do the math on that vs the overweight fee.

My buddy had the antlers euro mounted and shipped back to FL, it ran him $650 total. I don’t think I’d try to fly with them unless you’re willing to miss your flight or give them up if you have issues at the airport. You’re pretty screwed if you’re solo with all your gear, frozen meat, and have turned in your rental truck.

 

[Bigbull]

Fly it back as checked luggage. You don’t need coolers if it is later in the year and you get a freeze on it. I priced all the options and flying Alaska as checked luggage was the cheapest. Antlers are not a problem either unless it’s a trophy. Just buy some plastic bins for the meat. You can wrap the antlers with shrink wrap and put pieces of garden hose over the antler tips. Probably going to run you $350-$500. Alaska has luggage requirements and pricing on their website.

 

[njdoxie]

The bull we killed was early enough in the trip to have it processed locally and frozen, it was shipped back in 49.5 lb $15 coolers from Wal-Mart with dry ice.

I never even bother with dry ice, as long as it’s frozen solid, it stays frozen in my luggage and backpack.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[elkstabber]

I live in VA and hunt somewhere out west about twice a year. I fly sometimes and drive sometimes. Since I usually hunt two weeks at a time the cost of a rental car/truck is my single greatest expense.

To your questions the guys above have covered about everything. Southwest seems to be the most hunter-friendly airline. I think shipping meat back on the airplane is much simpler and economical than shipping by UPS/Fedex later. Also, I have shipped antlers by Greyhound bus. I just went to the nearest Greyhound bus station at the right time and the antlers arrived in perfect condition.

Back to the meat: I process all of my own so this may not apply to you. I bring a small FoodSaver with me. I'll cut the meat into big chunks (10-20 lb pieces) and vacuum pack the chunks. I mark each bag to make steaks or ground. This way my coolers are filled up with a bunch of vacuum packed meat. Just keep the meat cool, it doesn't need to be frozen. In a decent cooler with that much cold meat there is no way that it can get warm in a day's travel. The cold meat will pack tighter in a cooler than if it was in frozen chunks. All the airline cares about is that the cooler doesn't leak or come open.

Then, when I get home I can easily cut steaks and get them in my freezer. All of the rest will get ground up with beef or pork fat afterwards.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I have flown from Florida to Kansas for a deer hunt, and to Canada for a sheep/caribou hunt. Both times checked the rifle in a Pelican case with TSA locks. Check TSA and airline rules for latest regs regarding ammuntion. At the time I went to Kansas, they wanted the ammo in the rifle case. When I went to Canada, they want your ammo in your checked luggage.

Getting meat and horns back.

Kansas - Took deer to a processor in Kansas. I flew back home. Once meat was ready a week or two, my guide went to wal mart and bought a coleman cooler, and then shipped it to me USPS. Arrived hard as a rock. Taxidermist picked up horns and cape at deer cooler, and shipped me the mount a year later.

Canada - Brought a cooler with me and packed it with meat and checked as luggage on way home. Left horns and capes with outfitter to ship at end of season. Shipped to taxidermist, taxidermist shipped to me once done.

As someone above stated, it all comes down to time and money. You have to figure out which you have more of, and what is right for you and your personal situation.