I hate Driving so far

joesikora

Long Time Member
Messages
3,247
What is the best way to get your gun/bow and gear and bring back my quarry to and from say UT or NM So I can fly there? I really hate flying too but it’s a lot faster
 
You can ship your rifle from a local FFL to another at your destination. You can ship your bow and gear on your own. A meat processor could ship your meat at whatever expense it would be.
 
When I was younger I smoked a ton and drink Coke and coffee with tons of sugar and creamer instead of water so driving I liked. Like I said I hate flying but I really hate driving 20+hrs by myself. I can at least get a relaxing pill for the flight there and back
 
Take your rifle on the plane with you and ship your gear UPS. You can ship your gear to an Outfitter or rent a UPS box at a UPS store. Or just pay for extra luggage and take everything on the plane with you when going.

Returning with meat, cape and antlers is more difficult. You can ship antlers UPS and buy a cooler for the cape and take it on the plane with you.

Good luck with with the meat. You can purchase coolers and take meat on the plane with you with up to 4.4 pounds of dry ice. Or just give the meat away and buy beef when you get home.

You can have the taxidermy done where you are hunting and have them ship it to you.

None of this is inexpensive. I have done all of this at different times.
 
I had a mule deer mount shipped from Grand Junction, Colorado to West Virginia. Killed in 2019 and shipped in 2021. It was $425. The taxidermist thought that was cheaper than getting someone to build a crate and ship UPS. I don’t know if that’s correct.

That was with Wild Game Trophy Shipping out of Silt Colorado. They do pick up all over Colorado but I don’t know about Arizona or NM.
 
I agree roadrunner, I had Gemsbuck in South Africa and thought it was the best wild meat I’ve ever had.

I’ve driven 26 hours by myself many times to go elk hunting. I like elk meat and I like being able to bring all my gear and bring the meat, cape and antlers home without any hassle.

Mule deer, not so much. I like whitetail better and I have friends that will give me all the meat I want and I don’t even have to drag them out. And if that supply dries up I can go out shoot me two or three.
 
You can ship your rifle to yourself without an ffl.
Deadibob, I’ve never done it but I agree with you. A lot of people won’t agree with it.

If I had homes in two states I don’t what law would prevent me from shipping my guns back and forth to myself. There wouldn’t be any transfer of ownership. If I can put them in the truck and drive across State lines then I can ship them across State lines.
 
Deadibob, I’ve never done it but I agree with you. A lot of people won’t agree with it.

If I had homes in two states I don’t what law would prevent me from shipping my guns back and forth to myself. There wouldn’t be any transfer of ownership. If I can put them in the truck and drive across State lines then I can ship them across State lines.
I used to ship guns to myself in Alaska. It doesn’t need to ship to your home address. I can’t speak to the legality of liberal states. I would guess you can’t ship to yourself in California or other places like that.
 
What address did you ship to? I didn’t do it but I had an outfitter tell me once I could ship to his home address with my name on it.
 
Shot a mule deer in Montana about 25yrs ago and had the processor ship the meat to me. Unfortunately it got lost at the airport for 5 days. Pretty nasty when it showed up
 
UPS isn’t cheap anymore either. I could ship deer antlers for about $75 not including the box. But a 50 pound duffle bag of gear would be $175.

American Airlines would be first bag $30, 2nd $40, 3rd $150 and 4th $200.

I have flown but that’s why I usually drive.
 
I agree roadrunner, I had Gemsbuck in South Africa and thought it was the best wild meat I’ve ever had.

I’ve driven 26 hours by myself many times to go elk hunting. I like elk meat and I like being able to bring all my gear and bring the meat, cape and antlers home without any hassle.

Mule deer, not so much. I like whitetail better and I have friends that will give me all the meat I want and I don’t even have to drag them out. And if that supply dries up I can go out shoot me two or three.

I prefer WT over mulies as well.
 
I've flown to Canada multiple times and even out of country, your gun/bow/equipment can easily be managed by taking it with you on flight. The biggest problem is shipping trophies and meat.
A good outfitter will have details on how to accomplish that part, but if you are going DIY then you will have to figure out that part on your own. Good luck
 
I have never flown to go hunt. I am poor thus never been anywhere other than the US. I don't mind driving and we live about as far west as possible....I am roughly 6 miles from the ocean as the crow flies. We make looooong drives several times a year. Thanks God for Pandora.
 
2 years ago on Alaskan air it was 100 per over weight and over size items , my buddy and I brought 6 ice chest over weight each and 2 sets of moose antler tied to gather and guns. it was the cheapest method, and we will do it again this year. I prefer driving for all the gear, dogs,atv, game carts, archery targets, even the kitchen sink.
 
You can ship your rifle from a local FFL to another at your destination. You can ship your bow and gear on your own. A meat processor could ship your meat at whatever expense it would be.
I too really hate driving long distance- done it many times & flying has gotten to be such a pain & mess you’re left with terrible options ! Don’t know the answers either. 9/11 turned flying into a hells nest- used a be good, fast, much cheaper , not nearly as big a challenge as now. I guess having a travel partner to share the driving
is the best, but that’s too tough in many cases. Dealing with airline reps now is a terrible pain in
 
in the butt. Best of luck picking the best way you can find wherever you go !!!
Jerry Gold- Windsor, Colorado ????
 
2 years ago on Alaskan air it was 100 per over weight and over size items , my buddy and I brought 6 ice chest over weight each and 2 sets of moose antler tied to gather and guns. it was the cheapest method, and we will do it again this year. I prefer driving for all the gear, dogs,atv, game carts, archery targets, even the kitchen sink.
A couple times I flew Alaskan airlines with ice chests slightly over 100 pounds on the return trip. I would put my foot under the lip of the scale or the ice chest and lift just enough to keep it under 100 pounds and avoid extra fees. It worked every time because the ice chest blocked my foot from their view.
 
Unlike most of you I’d much rather drive than fly. Flying is one of my phobias I guess. A few years ago I had the chance to drive from Northeastern Utah (the Basin) to Deming NM. Three months later I drove from the Basin to Anchorage Alaska. Except for the hassle crossing into Canada because of Covid, it was great. I could only stay 2 nights in Canada, so it was a quick trip. It was in March so it was still winter. Stayed one night in Whitehorse along the way. It was 10 below, almost as cold as the Basin.? I got to see the Woodland Buffalo herd along the way. The scenery was spectacular. I want to do it again when the weather is better, and I can take more time. Unfortunately with the cost of fuel, and what has happened to my retirement account, it’s not in my present budget. If someone needs an outfit driven up there, I’m available. ? BacDoc.
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom