Strategy for bringing an elk back to the east coast

The airlines lost my luggage, including firearm the first time I hunted out of state. Now I drive, and actually look forward to that time alone, probably the most peaceful days of my year.
What did you do when they lost your rifle?! Did you get it back with time to hunt? This is nightmare scenario stuff
 
What did you do when they lost your rifle?! Did you get it back with time to hunt? This is nightmare scenario stuff

They eventually found it at the airport i departed from, and it arrived in Montana around midnight. Super stressful. I was 4 hours early for my initial flight, so they had plenty of time and still majorly screwed up.
 
What did you do when they lost your rifle?! Did you get it back with time to hunt? This is nightmare scenario stuff

We had flights cancelled one year, rescheduled for the following day, bow cases with pistols lost on that trip. They arrived two days after we were initially supposed to start hunting. We were delayed in total 3 days. Driving, even if we stopped halfway for a hotel stay would have been cheaper and faster.


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We had flights cancelled one year, rescheduled for the following day, bow cases with pistols lost on that trip. They arrived two days after we were initially supposed to start hunting. We were delayed in total 3 days. Driving, even if we stopped halfway for a hotel stay would have been cheaper and faster.


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Goodness! Man that sucks!
 
A buddy of mine shot an elk in CO last year and had it processed in CO. It was then shipped by the processor in a refrigerated truck to Maryland. Apparently, a lot of people do this and it was less expensive for the shipping than anticipated. Don’t recall the number off the top of my head, though.

Call a couple processors near the unit you are hunting in. I’m sure they’ll be able to help you out.
 
Just curious , I've rented trucks for years on elk trips. The one big issue has been crap tires. The rental trucks don't come with off road tires (more like car tires) We have had to buy chains when we got out there. Have you guys run into the same issue?
I have not and trust me we have gone through some sketchy areas. But now I probably jinxed myself for this next trip.😬
 
Goodness! Man that sucks!

Biggest kick in the nuts was we split up. Couple guys stayed to get the gear (airlines won’t drive guns to you) and a couple of us drove the four hours to scout. Had 5 legal bulls, 2 really good 6 points, walk within 25 yards of the spot we wanted to be if our bows weren’t 1500 miles away in another airport.


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Just curious , I've rented trucks for years on elk trips. The one big issue has been crap tires. The rental trucks don't come with off road tires (more like car tires) We have had to buy chains when we got out there. Have you guys run into the same issue?
Probably rented 6 trucks so far - some have been pretty bad with worn road tires and 2wd only, others have had decent tires and 4wd. Seems to be a gamble for sure!!
 
OP here.... thanks for all the input. I understand the benefits of driving. But just to be clear its 32 hours of driving from my home to where I hunt. I don't have the time to drive. I can grab a direct flight and be at hunting camp in 12 hours.... so thats 24 hours of travel round trip door to door flying, versus 64 hours of drive time. I only interested in options related to checking the meat as baggage or shipping it. Thanks
Flying with tall of your gear and an elk and horns is going to be a living nightmare.
 
A buddy of mine shot and elk in CO last year and had it processed in CO. It was then shipped by the processor in a refrigerated truck to Maryland. Apparently, a lot of people do this and it was less expensive for the shipping than anticipated. Don’t recall the number off the top of my head, though.

Call a couple processors near the unit you are hunting in. I’m sure they’ll be able to help you out.
Did the same with a Wy elk. The processor in Lander used a Colorado company. Truck shows up in Ky with my frozen meat and was full of boxes of meat and antlers. Their last stop was going to be in Connecticut. If I recall, around $400.
 
If you are going to drive, my brother in law transports usually a few whitetail home every year, 30+ hour drive. They simply run a generator hooked to a chest freezer in the bed of the truck, refill it when they stop for gas. They never have any issues, and are comfortable stopping to sleep if need be without worrying about the meat thawing.
 
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