? about flying to your hunt

bschnoor · Mar 11, 2005

I'm considering flying to a hunt in Colorado from Oregon this year. I've never done it that way, but with gas so hi and the time factor I'm considering it. I'm curious the best way you guys have figured out to get your deer home, including horns, meat and cape? Thanks - Brian

BigPig · Mar 11, 2005

Put your meat in a cooler with some dry ice (no more than 5lbs per person), and check it as baggage. Leave the cape and horns with a local taxidermist and have them ship it to you in OR.

bschnoor · Mar 11, 2005

Thanks...What if the deer is not worthy of a mount, but you still want the horns? Can a local taxidermist take care of that also? Also, do you bone the meat before putting it in the cooler? Thanks - Brian

Blanchje · Mar 31, 2005

Definately bone it. You want to ship as little weight as you can. The airlines will ding you $$ for it. Another way depending on circumstances is to take itto a local processor and have them ship it frozen FedEx 2nd day. As far as the antlers go you can bring them with you. I've done it where I just put them in my duffle and pack around them. You can also ship them seperate. Take some empty shotgun shells and tape them over the points.

Jeff

martinc · Mar 31, 2005

I've been traveling from Quebec to Manitoba for 8 years, for deer hunting. This is like going from Vermont to North Dakota, a 3-4 hour flight. I hunt in november so I don't even bother with dry ice. I bone meat, package it and bring it back home with me. I include horns, and cape, if I want to mount it. Last year I had to check an extra luggage but it only costs 35$, and I didn't have to worry about not getting my stuff later, or having my deer mounted by someone I didn't know.

bschnoor · Mar 31, 2005

Thanks guys - I think that's the route I'm going to take! Brian

Texas_Hunter · Mar 31, 2005

What we have done is bring one of those small collapsable coolers you can wear aroudn your waist with us and take the straps and loins with us on the plane as our carry on luggage - no different than a woman's purse to the airlines.

As for the antlers, we usually check them as luggage covering the tips and wrapping the skull. I sawed the horns in half on the skull on one of my mine and had the taxidermist put it back together. You would never know it by looknig at the mount, but I prefer to leave the antlers whole on the skull plate. As far the capes I freeze them at a local processor or stores freezer and just back them in my bag frozen in a plastic bag.

I have done this both within the US and returning from Canada. I definately prefer to drive, but I am with you - the prices of gas don't make it worthwhile any longer.

crcountry · Mar 31, 2005

I book through www.travelocity.com and have already purchased my denver ticket for 10/18. My roundtrip from the east was $260 on Airtran w/2 checked bags up to 70lbs and each additional checked bag is $50 up to 70lbs. Watch out for United and Continental....their extra checked bags are like $85 for the 3rd and $100 for the 4th.....ouch!!!!! Definetley get on-line for each of the major carriers and research their baggage info. Also, if your in the Rifle, CO area, the meat locker in town is incredible....they have a 48 hour turn around and pre-pack 50lb boxes with dry ice. A de-boned elk is about 4 boxes. I hike, pack and do everything on foot.....including solo 1.5 mile pack-outs.....so I have all my pack frame gear and camp. Consider sending your gear home UPS. Every major town has a Staples or UPS shipping center....also there's a FedEx in most larger towns (Basalt, CO is the one I use) to send your gun case home for $65. Carry-on your necessary items, spare clothes and use your 2 checked bags as meat boxes, no charge, and pay for 2 extra. This also is nice so you don't have to haul all your ##### around. Travelocity SUV rental unlimited miles was $485 w/taxes for 10 days starting 10/18.....awesome deal...this was Almamo. Split that between a partner and your golden. The real idea is just drive out! My partner and I drove out to Sturgis last rut and it was 31 hours from MD....it just about killed me, but having the tow behind trailer and 1/2 freezer chest was nice.
Good Luck