Bringing Meat from NM on plane

[Wheatfield Gunner]

So have a Elk hunt in December down in New Mexico and trying to figure out the best way to get the meat and horns home if I am successful. Talked with Alaska Air and they no longer allow styrofoam coolers on planes. Saw that there is a meat transport company that will ship but at 4.75 a lbs it would be like $1500 bucks. Container has to be leak proof and 50lbs and under. Think some type of cheap tote and freeze the meat and place in 5mil garbage bag. Any help appreciated from ya"ll.

 

[ODB]

Where do you live?

 

[swavescatter]

Buy cheap $20 coolers and freeze the meat if you can. Check the coolers with ratchet straps. That's what I did on a tuna trip...

 

[grfox92]

Is driving not an option? I couldn't imagine going on an out of state hunt without my truck.

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[Wheatfield Gunner]

Where do you live?

Washington State.

 

[Dan-o]

2 options that I’ve done many times:

- Alaska Air Cargo is $1 a pound or so. If you can find a known shipper and send it to yourself through them. Processors are often known shippers and will handle getting the meat to you for a fee. It’s probably too late to go through the process to establish yourself as a known shipper.
- Buy 4-5 cheap coolers and check it as luggage. Ship your other non perishable gear to yourself UPS. Depending on the airline you use, it should be around 2-3 bucks a pound this way.

 

[Wheatfield Gunner]

Is driving not an option? I couldn't imagine going on an out of state hunt without my truck.

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Its not out of the option just would be 22hr drive

 

[ODB]

Its not out of the option just would be 22hr drive

This is where I was heading. Kayak shows one-way car rentals from Sana Fe to Seattle for $400. You can pack up that Kia Rio with coolers and dry ice and hit the road...

 

[shwacker]

Could you fly down, rent a truck for the hunt and the drive back?

 

[Wheatfield Gunner]

This is where I was heading. Kayak shows one-way car rentals from Sana Fe to Seattle for $400. You can pack up that Kia Rio with coolers and dry ice and hit the road...

Not familiar with Kayak. Not sure I want to drive Utah in the winter in a Kia lol.

 

[Rich M]

I carried a processed antelope in a 45 can cooler from Academy ($130) on my flight home. Buddy had his shipped to the tune of about $340.

 

[hunt1up]

I'd just check a few 60ish quart coolers and fly it home with ya. You might get hit with overweight charges depending how full they are but it's the easiest way to go. We've flown elk this way, moose, etc. My daughter shot a cow elk in NM last year and we brought it home in two coolers on Southwest. Both coolers were around 85-90 pounds and I just had to pay the overweight fee. It was easy though.

 

[grfox92]

Its not out of the option just would be 22hr drive

That's what I would be doing. I've done WY to NY 7 round trips in 4 years. Routinely drive from NY to SD non stop 24 hrs.

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[roadrunner]

Not familiar with Kayak. Not sure I want to drive Utah in the winter in a Kia lol.

Won't be an issue if you keep south below Cedar City and then up through NV

 

[CorbLand]

Not familiar with Kayak. Not sure I want to drive Utah in the winter in a Kia lol.

I am glad I am not the only one. My wifes family is down in S. Arizona and we are in N. Utah. They give me crap all the time because we wont drive down there during the winter. I dont think they understand what can happen as far as roads go for about 7 hours of that 12 hour drive.

 

[bojangles808]

If you have access to a freezer I like the soft cooler bags or even a cooler backpack when flying.

 

[Wheatfield Gunner]

Won't be an issue if you keep south below Cedar City and then up through NV

Have to cross a pass on the Cali side or one on the Oregon side dont ya? I have been on the Oregon one was not fun

 

[Wheatfield Gunner]

Would also add 3+ hours and 400 miles. Decided that I will fly down and drive back. Thanks all for the ideas.

 

[mb6355]

we used boxes similar to these last month to fly caribou from Alaska on Alaskan Air.

https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/fishing-accessories/stringers-fish-keepers/try-fold-50lb-airline-approved-shipping-box/p/1417821

 

[roadrunner]

Have to cross a pass on the Cali side or one on the Oregon side dont ya? I have been on the Oregon one was not fun

Probably.