Strategy for bringing an elk back to the east coast

[meatseeker]

What are your plans with the antlers/cape?

Euro mount and have it shipped when complete

 

[Hnthrdr]

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

 

[ResearchinStuff]

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.

 

[fatlander]

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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[Hnthrdr]

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!

 

[RuggedYogi]

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.

 

[D_wit22]

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.

 

[fatlander]

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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[nettereo16]

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!!

 

[Next Ridge]

Just check multiple coolers

 

[MallardSX2]

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.

 

[Novahunter]

My uncle and I drove 2 moose back from Newfoundland. Meat was quartered and in the coolers for 54 hours and was perfectly fine when we got to the butcher shop:

Post in my thread on the hunt details what we did: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/2022-newfoundland-moose-hunt.281516/post-2772540

 

[UKwildcatfan]

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.

 

[rking453]

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.

 

[spike camp]

Did the same with a Wy elk. The processor in Lander that 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.

That sounds ridiculously inexpensive.

 

[apieceofwork]

I'm not starting a hunt (or any vacation) with a 36 hour drive, so I'm flying for my elk hunt as well. Here's how I plan to do it:

- my main piece of luggage is a large duffel bag with backpack straps, this keeps both my hands free

- if successful, the elk euro mount will be shipped to me by taxidermist

- local butcher shop is going to process the elk meat and freeze it for me (this obviously requires you to stay in town for a couple days)

- buy coolers with wheels at Walmart so you can tie multiple coolers together and drag them behind you like a train, allowing you to get all your shit to the check-in area in a single trip

- put frozen elk meat in coolers with ice on top (ice should be in ziploc bags), with the weight of each cooler under 50 pounds, duct tape the coolers shut (carry extra duct tape in case the airline cuts it open)

- if your main luggage is a backpack, you can drag the cooler train behind you with your other hand free to carry your rifle case (this assumes there aren't luggage carts nearby)

It isn't going to be fun, but luckily I'm flying home from a very small airport. Most airlines won't let you check luggage in tranches on the same airline ticket, so you have to figure out how to get all your luggage to the counter at once.

 

[TacoHunter]

Massachusetts. I don’t have the time drive

I live in AZ, my dad lives in NH. He flies out to hunt in MT so similar issue. Best way has been to me ship it direct to him, or use a 3rd party that all they do is ship game meat. Neither option is cheap, so got to build it into the cost of the trip.

 

[Mdfowlman2]

I'm not starting a hunt (or any vacation) with a 36 hour drive, so I'm flying for my elk hunt as well. Here's how I plan to do it:

- my main piece of luggage is a large duffel bag with backpack straps, this keeps both my hands free

- if successful, the elk euro mount will be shipped to me by taxidermist

- local butcher shop is going to process the elk meat and freeze it for me (this obviously requires you to stay in town for a couple days)

- buy coolers with wheels at Walmart so you can tie multiple coolers together and drag them behind you like a train, allowing you to get all your shit to the check-in area in a single trip

- put frozen elk meat in coolers with ice on top (ice should be in ziploc bags), with the weight of each cooler under 50 pounds, duct tape the coolers shut (carry extra duct tape in case the airline cuts it open)

- if your main luggage is a backpack, you can drag the cooler train behind you with your other hand free to carry your rifle case (this assumes there aren't luggage carts nearby)

It isn't going to be fun, but luckily I'm flying home from a very small airport. Most airlines won't let you check luggage in tranches on the same airline ticket, so you have to figure out how to get all your luggage to the counter at once.

I’ve done this a couple times, flew a bull home last fall.
Couple issues with your plan, and also a couple recommendations.
1)you cannot fly with liquid ice so scratch that idea
2)don’t do 50lb coolers of meat, it’ll take 4 coolers minimum, you then have to buy 4 coolers, and the weight between 4 coolers is about 50-60lbs. Buy 50qt coolers, loaded up they’re right at the 100lb mark. You’ll pay oversized and extra bag fees which is the same cost as two 50lb coolers.
3) Every airport has carts, no need for wheeled coolers.
Trust me getting one home on a plane is a chore, less coolers costs the same and makes it far easier.

 

[apieceofwork]

I’ve done this a couple times, flew a bull home last fall.
Couple issues with your plan, and also a couple recommendations.
1)you cannot fly with liquid ice so scratch that idea
2)don’t do 50lb coolers of meat, it’ll take 4 coolers minimum, you then have to buy 4 coolers, and the weight between 4 coolers is about 50-60lbs. Buy 50qt coolers, loaded up they’re right at the 100lb mark. You’ll pay oversized and extra bag fees which is the same cost as two 50lb coolers.
3) Every airport has carts, no need for wheeled coolers.
Trust me getting one home on a plane is a chore, less coolers costs the same and makes it far easier.

Thank you for the tips. I did a little research after seeing your post, and on the ice, it seems like it varies by airline - but partially melted ice could be a problem, so best to avoid traditional ice. Going with gel or some style of ice pack might be a better option. Here's Delta's policy as an example:

Food & Alcohol Transportation | Delta Air Lines

Although we do allow perishables to be brought as carry-on or checked baggage on Delta flights, be sure to transport them using approved materials.

www.delta.com

I was considering donating a portion of the meat to keep the number of coolers down, but maybe going with fewer / heavier coolers is the way to go no matter what. Delta's website says they won't accept anything over 100lbs.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Thank you for the tips. I did a little research after seeing your post, and on the ice, it seems like it varies by airline - but partially melted ice could be a problem, so best to avoid traditional ice. Going with gel or some style of ice pack might be a better option. Here's Delta's policy as an example:

Food & Alcohol Transportation | Delta Air Lines

Although we do allow perishables to be brought as carry-on or checked baggage on Delta flights, be sure to transport them using approved materials.

www.delta.com

I was considering donating a portion of the meat to keep the number of coolers down, but maybe going with fewer / heavier coolers is the way to go no matter what. Delta's website says they won't accept anything over 100lbs.

If your meat is frozen solid, it's not thawing out before you get home flying. Have coolers completely full, the less air space the better. How long is your total flight time home?