Strategy for bringing an elk back to the east coast

[meatseeker]

Traveling hunters I need your advice. I expect to have enough points to draw an elk tag in CO next year in a unit I know a little bit from past mule deer hunts. I’m wondering how you hunters who fly to your destination get your elk meat back home. For deer I typically just check a cooler with frozen meat as luggage. But obviously an elk is much bigger. How do you deal with it? Are there processors in Denver who freeze and ship meat and if so how much does it typically cost. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[satchamo]

Traveling hunters I need your advice. I expect to have enough points to draw an elk tag in CO next year in a unit I know a little bit from past mule deer hunts. I’m wondering how you hunters who fly to your destination get your elk meat back home. For deer I typically just check a cooler with frozen meat as luggage. But obviously an elk is much bigger. How do you deal with it? Are there processors in Denver who freeze and ship meat and if so how much does it typically cost. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How east are we talking? I’m in southwest IN and drive out there a lot. Went to AZ last year and it was 22 hours but beats the hell out of dealing with flying gear.

 

[meatseeker]

Massachusetts. I don’t have the time drive

 

[Mikido]

Drive, only sensible way. 2 long days

 

[Mikido]

Massachusetts. I don’t have the time drive

Are you hunting the days you’re flying? Can’t add 2 days?

 

[nettereo16]

Massachusetts. I don’t have the time drive

Fly out, drive back if you shoot one. Buy some coolers and get some dry ice.

 

[Mdfowlman2]

Drive, only sensible way. 2 long days

How this the only sensible way? Fly out, pack light, fly meat home. Get more hunting days, no wear and tear on your vehicle. Pretty simple process, we have done it both ways. We only fly now

 

[SC HUNTER]

I was going go suggest a freezer with a plug in invertor in the back of a truck. Or several large coolers with dry ice.

I've never flown meat home so I'm zero help in that category.

 

[Auburnpack]

Traveling hunters I need your advice. I expect to have enough points to draw an elk tag in CO next year in a unit I know a little bit from past mule deer hunts. I’m wondering how you hunters who fly to your destination get your elk meat back home. For deer I typically just check a cooler with frozen meat as luggage. But obviously an elk is much bigger. How do you deal with it? Are there processors in Denver who freeze and ship meat and if so how much does it typically cost. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The cost of shipping elk meat from NM to NC was going to be $7/ lbs. Had 250 lbs of processed meat frozen. A 48 qt cooler from walmart will hold 50+ lbs. Had 5 coolers for $100 ish. Extra bag fee is $150 per cooler. So we were at roughly $3.50/lbs. Can save $ by buying a tote from walmart the size of a cooler. Meat will stay cold for a few hours exp if you have a direct flight from DEN. Just pack dirty laundry around the meat packs. Did that w a deer from KS. PM me if you have questions.

 

[Mdfowlman2]

The cost of shipping elk meat from NM to NC was going to be $7/ lbs. Had 250 lbs of processed meat frozen. A 48 qt cooler from walmart will hold 50+ lbs. Had 5 coolers for $100 ish. Extra bag fee is $150 per cooler. So we were at roughly $3.50/lbs. Can save $ by buying a tote from walmart the size of a cooler. Meat will stay cold for a few hours exp if you have a direct flight from DEN. Just pack dirty laundry around the meat packs. Did that w a deer from KS. PM me if you have questions.

You don’t need 5 coolers, flew mine back last year with 3. Two coolers at 99lbs carrying all meat and one with the cape and some meat that was around 90lbs. Best way to go is become a known shipper through Alaskan airlines, I can fly 250lbs back for $156

 

[zpearo]

I've taken whole elk on the airline in two checked bags (large duffels, which weigh less that regular suitcases) and a carry on. Note that your carry on doesn't have to be under 50 lbs like a checked bag does, so load up the carry on with as much as possible.



Obviously depends how much other gear you have to take, but could check a third bag or ship some gear home in a box via USPS.

I benefit from being able to leave gear at my brother's house when I fly out. But that would all fit in a third checked bag.

 

[Auburnpack]

You don’t need 5 coolers, flew mine back last year with 3. Two coolers at 99lbs carrying all meat and one with the cape and some meat that was around 90lbs. Best way to go is become a known shipper through Alaskan airlines, I can fly 250lbs back for $156

How hard is it to become a know shipper? Can you only use Alaskan Air or will it work on Southwest, Delta, American, etc. ?

 

[RC_]

Similar thread from last year

M

Thread '2024 Elk Meat Transport Strategy'

May 15, 2024

Lots of threads about this over the years, but they seem dated OR focus on something trivial like 50 lbs of meat.

I'm looking for the best way to get ~200lbs of bull elk + ~100 lbs of deer meat (1 buck & 1 doe) from MT to AZ . ~14 day long adventure (doorstep to doorstep). Good problem to have....but it is a problem that (hopefully) needs to be solved!


Am I missing any better options? (I'll worry about the antlers later...I have friends who can hold them for me).

1) Drive
I was originally planning on driving. Would love to have my (very off-road capable) jeep truck up...

• MaybeLostNeverStuck
• Replies: 57
• Forum: Elk

• 

 

[nettereo16]

The cost of shipping elk meat from NM to NC was going to be $7/ lbs. Had 250 lbs of processed meat frozen. A 48 qt cooler from walmart will hold 50+ lbs. Had 5 coolers for $100 ish. Extra bag fee is $150 per cooler. So we were at roughly $3.50/lbs. Can save $ by buying a tote from walmart the size of a cooler. Meat will stay cold for a few hours exp if you have a direct flight from DEN. Just pack dirty laundry around the meat packs. Did that w a deer from KS. PM me if you have questions.

When you say tote is that like a soft cooler or a duffle?

 

[SouthernEngineer]

When you say tote is that like a soft cooler or a duffle?

Storage tote

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Call the airline that you are planning to fly and specifically ask them how to get an elk home as well as the anticipated costs (extra baggage). Then call their bulk freight department and ask them the same questions. Get all responses in writing.

"A WKR said" does not usually impress the ticket agents nor the folks in the bulk shipping departments.

 

[Dos Perros]

How this the only sensible way? Fly out, pack light, fly meat home. Get more hunting days, no wear and tear on your vehicle. Pretty simple process, we have done it both ways. We only fly now

Flying may make sense if it doesn't take any more time. We will drive even if it means one more glassing session. Nice thing is you can drive all night and that usually overcomes airline schedule inefficiencies. If I get off work on a Thursday afternoon I know I can be to my glassing spot faster driving than flying, even if it's a 22 hour drive (done it plenty of times). Also, if you drive a Toyota wear and tear is a myth.

 

[Auburnpack]

When you say tote is that like a soft cooler or a duffle?

I bought a storage container from Walmart. Wrote my name on the lid, taped it closed and checked as an extra bag. This was for deer in KS and weather was cool. Meat was frozen when put into the container. Picked up at the processer and went directly to the airport.

 

[fatlander]

Most meat processors have styrofoam lined cardboard boxes. Bring a backpack cooler to carry on as much frozen meat as you can fit.

Flying is more time effective, when you don’t have delays or lost gear. It really sucks when you have flights cancelled then gear lost on the front end of a trip, been there done that. Driving is significantly more cost effective, especially when successful on elk. Driving sucks but you’re on your own timeline.

Weigh out the time vs money. Only you can make that decision based on your situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[D_wit22]

I’ve got a 30 hour drive but when I can rent a truck for 10 days for $375 it’s a no brainer to me. Me and buddy will drive straight thru alternating shifts. Then I know when I get there I will have everything with me and when successful it is much easier to bring home.