Meat care and transport out of Anchorage?

[razorsharptokill]

Hunting porcupine herd Aug 2015. Flying through anchorage. My question is.. What have you guys done with your meat to get it home? Not spending anymore time in Anchorage than we have to so our options are limited to either quick flash freeze if possible or shipping it seems. What do you guys that are veteran Alaska hunters do?

 

[bowuntr]

You can take a whole boned out caribou home as extra baggage, way cheaper than cargo, UPS... fish boxes, ice chest or leak proof container. Check with your airlines. Anchorage airport is used to it. Antlers are a different beast... check with your airlines on this... Ed F

 

[Becca]

As Ed said, flying boned out meat is likely going to be your least expensive option. We fly commercial to hunt other locations around the state several times each year, and the best way we have found is to use Rubbermaid totes and load them to 99lbs with boned out meat. At least with AK airlines, they charge you for either extra bags or overweight bags, but not both so you may as well load them to just under the 100lb mark to maximize your money. Totes are readily available in Anchorage at places like Walmart or Target, and we usually strap them shut with duct tape at the airport after weigh in. Carrying a small luggage scale to preweigh your totes and other bags keeps the meat shuffle in the airport to a minimum If you are overnighting in Anchorage, many hotels have freezers they will let you store your stuff in overnight which will at least get a nice chill on the meat before you fly. Otherwise the airline is pretty good about labeling them as either frozen or chill...meat should be fine in totes for the duration of your trip home assuming no exceptionally long delays or outrageously hot weather.

 

[razorsharptokill]

Great info thanks!

 

[colonel00]

Doesn't the Anchorage airport have a freezer service now? I could swear that I saw it advertised down by the baggage claim. They were also offering baggage storage. Pretty sure it was Anchorage but I did also fly through Fairbanks this year too. For some reason though, I think it was pretty expensive. Anyway, call the airport and ask. Also I seem to remember that Alaska Airlines may have their own freezer?

 

[Ray]

If you really want it processed then Glenn's would be the best bet. Since your hunt is before moose season you will beat the madness that happens in his driveay in the second week of september. Glenn will work with you for custom cutting as well. All his cut meat is cling plastic wrapped then butcher paper wrapped. His ground meat is plastic tubed. If you bring it in on the bone its easier to deal with.

The fastest way to get your caribou processed is to have a few rump roasts cut, loin steaks off the back strap, then grind the rest. That would be 24 hours. If you have them grind the meat I recommend getting their hot breakfast sausage and their chorizo. They take boring caribou meat to the next level of nom nom. The only issue cost wise is that you are now buying pork shoulder to be added into the sausage. You can do that at home and save a lot of money.

Glenn can also pick up your meat at the airport and then ship it down, but that will be costly compared to the recommended rubbermaid and extra baggage route.

 

[Nick Muche]

As Ed said, flying boned out meat is likely going to be your least expensive option. We fly commercial to hunt other locations around the state several times each year, and the best way we have found is to use Rubbermaid totes and load them to 99lbs with boned out meat. At least with AK airlines, they charge you for either extra bags or overweight bags, but not both so you may as well load them to just under the 100lb mark to maximize your money. Totes are readily available in Anchorage at places like Walmart or Target, and we usually strap them shut with duct tape at the airport after weigh in. Carrying a small luggage scale to preweigh your totes and other bags keeps the meat shuffle in the airport to a minimum If you are overnighting in Anchorage, many hotels have freezers they will let you store your stuff in overnight which will at least get a nice chill on the meat before you fly. Otherwise the airline is pretty good about labeling them as either frozen or chill...meat should be fine in totes for the duration of your trip home assuming no exceptionally long delays or outrageously hot weather.

Wish I had known the 99lb rule/idea... 13 bags/totes of gear and meat weighed to 50lbs adds up quick! Now I know!!!

 

[colonel00]

Ok, I am kinda confused on this one Becca. Looking at the Alaska Airlines site it shows $25 for each of the first two checked bags and then $75 for the 3rd one on. Then in the section for oversized and overweight bags it says "All baggage (including baggage checked free of charge) which exceeds the size or weight allowance, is subject to the additional fees outlined below." It then has the matrix of:

Checked Bag Weight Fee per Bag
50 lbs. or less No Additional Fee
51-100 lbs. $75 (USD)

Twice it states it as an additional fee which is standard and I have been hit with this on other airlines. So, I guess where I am confused is I read Becca's statement as Alaska Airlines does not charge the additional fee and it only be $75 for the additional "bag" instead of $150, correct? Or is it just $150 which would be the same whether it was two "bags" at $75 each or one overweight "bag" at $150?

 

[bowuntr]

Don't know about American Airlines. .. with Alaska Airlines it's one fee for the overweight/oversize. I do the 99# too... but be careful, airline scales can be off and it's usually not in your favor. More than once I have given baggage attendants meat to bring the weight down and as a bribe. Ed F

 

[colonel00]

Ed, I am talking about Alaska Airlines. I edited my post where i stated AA as I can see how that is confusing. Anyway, yes the oversize/overweight fee is the same but my question is whether that is in addition to the $75 extra baggage fee or not. If I can fly Alaska Airlines and only pay $75 for 99lbs of meat/fish then that is a slam dunk and well worth paying a little more in the base airfare.

 

[Ray]

As for AK Air they have different rules for us locals flying in state. If we leave the state then the published rules apply for fees. They threaten every year to make it the same in state or out but have yet to upset the locals.

 

[colonel00]

Ok, thanks Ray. That makes more sense. Regardless, doing some quick checking, Alaska Air still seems to be the best option as far as extra bag fees.

 

[wyosteve]

Yes, the airport in Anchorage offers a freezer service. One of our group used it in July to keep his frozen fish until his flight left late the next day. Can't remember the cost, but it seemed reasonable.

 

[quaka_wacka]

If your flying out of state, then your first 2 bags are up to 50# for 25$ each after that they're 75$ each up to 100#.