Getting Elk on a Plane...

[larryschwartz]

For any hunts I've done out west, I've always used coolers. I'd ship my gear to my buddy in IL in two coolers. He'd pick me up at the airport and we'd be on the way. And if we killed anything, we'd pick up the processed/frozen meat and pack it into my coolers for transport back on the plane usually with a small block of dry ice. I never had any problems. This year, we're trying to cut down on weight and save space. Coolers monopolize a truck bed and a trailer quite quickly. Two coolers, plus two additional coolers for my friend who is joining us this year, will really eat up space fast. We're already going to have coolers for food/ice anyway. I'm wondering if any of you Eastern/Midwest guys that fly home with elk, or any game for that matter, in dry duffel bags? What's been your experience? I'm looking at something like these Ozark 40L dry bags. I'm thinking two would do the trick. We always share a kill, so if I or my buddy get one, we're not coming home with a full elk.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-40L-Dry-Waterproof-Bag-Duffel-with-Shoulder-Strap/48930986

Those are not insulated, as far as I can tell. I think your frozen elk will be partially or fully thawed by the time it gets home. I think the idea of buying coolers there if you get something on the ground makes the most sense. As long as you don't get ripped off on the coolers.

Larry

 

[Mattt]

Never had to buy a drink to get a cow on a plane or anywhere else kodiak, they usually load rite up without a problem

 

[7Bartman]

I'm able to flash freeze in a buddy's chest freezer, but I just went and purchased two Wal-mart coolers and paid for extra baggage. Was able to get 125lbs back on SW airlines this way last year. It cost me $150 extra dollars, which was totally worth. Only bad part is I'm starting to get a collection of cheap coolers in my basement.

 

[epicaaron]

I was looking at these Sterilite footlockers as a possible option. How many do you think would be needed for a processed elk? I wonder if these totes with insulated cooler bags inside holding frozen meat would be cheaper option than high-end coolers. Or, could unprocessed elk (in game bags) be flown in these Sterilite totes with dry ice? Thanks for the advice.

I would guess that it would take 3-4 sterilites to fit an entire processed elk, depending on all the variables. I have only used them to transport processed elk that was already deep frozen; I lined the foot lockers with heavy cardboard for a little extra insulation, lined that with a contractor bag (minimize convective loss), put the meat in, tied the contractor bag, then put dry ice on top. Check with your airline, I have found that most commercial carriers allow dry ice, but they have very specific rules for how it can be applied. In general, dry ice cannot be inside an airtight container. And, as with flying a gun, bring a print out of your airlines dry ice rules with you to the counter when you check in in case the agent is not up to speed.

I have no experience transporting unprocessed meat on a plane, I think if you are not using a cooler then you want to get the mean really cold before transport.

 

[fap1800]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm liking the Footlockers as an option. We always split up our elk and it's doubtful that we'll go four for four this year, but you never know. I'm thinking two of the Footlockers will do the trick when coupled with the cardboard and contractor bags. SW allows for 5lbs of dry ice and I can drill hole in the bottom for a vent if need be. Space is definitely a concern this year. I think I can get all my gear, minus the bow, in both lockers too.

 

[mckayam1]

Anyone have any idea what an average elk would cost to ship home on a plane? What about antlers?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[fap1800]

Depends on who you fly. I prefer SW. You get two free checked bags so you're overweight is just a $75 charge. That covers you up to 100lbs. So for $150 you can get 200lbs back home. Heck, last year the baggage attendant didn't even charge me for my coolers. Granted they weren't maxed, but they were easily 75lbs each. That was flying out of Denver.

 

[Redman]

Never tried it with elk, but we have brought antelope on the plane. I shipped all my hunting gear home UPS. Put the head/capes wrapped in a poncho in my duffle bag, hought a cheap cooler at Walmart , and the meat that didn't fit in the cooler went in my carry on. The nice lady at Denver Airport scanned my bag and without even opening it said "Ahh you have meat in here, what were you hunting"? Very nice lady, looked through my bag and said you're good to go. When I got home I found a red paper from TSA inside the duffle bag with the antelope heads in it just letting me know they went through it. I can just imagine what those people thought when they unzipped the bag and had two antelope staring back at them...