Spring bear 2021

Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Messages
11
Me and one of my buddies are doing a spring bear hunt in Idaho this year and are planning the logistics of it all currently. Due to work restraints this will be the first hunt we've done where we are actually having to fly to the location instead of driving. Does anyone have any recommendations on flying with coolers and what size of coolers we should take in the event of filling our tags?
 

tex0373

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 31, 2018
Messages
188
Me and one of my buddies are doing a spring bear hunt in Idaho this year and are planning the logistics of it all currently. Due to work restraints this will be the first hunt we've done where we are actually having to fly to the location instead of driving. Does anyone have any recommendations on flying with coolers and what size of coolers we should take in the event of filling our tags?
I would recommend flying there with no coolers and buying some cheaper ones when you get your bear. That's what we did when I killed an elk in Idaho a couple years ago. Split it into a few coolers with some dry ice for the flight home.
 

ericwh

WKR
Joined
Mar 9, 2017
Messages
561
Location
PA
A 48 quart cooler will end up right around 50lbs when it's full of processed and frozen meat. 50 lbs being the weight limit for Southwest checked bags.

I fly out with coolers with clothes or gear in them. If the coolers end up full on the way back you can ship things home USPS or UPS.

If it's frozen solid you don't need to screw with dry ice. It will be frozen when you get home.
 
Joined
Oct 20, 2020
Messages
19
Location
Montana
We took 52 quart coolers with us to Alaska and they fit right at the 50lb mark on our flights back. There were 4 of us and each of us had two coolers as checked baggage. We had our gear in them for the flight up and then we paid for one oversized bag with all our gear for the flight back.
 

264win

WKR
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
425
Location
Western Washington ( Whidbey Island )
Don’t know the logistics planned by op, but hunting, harvesting, packing out, then processing, then getting your game frozen solid, all before a flight home is a major undertaking. For most people this isn’t a realistic goal.
I would suggest find a local butcher who can freeze and ship your meat. If nothing else, it’s good to have a back up plan
 

Sawfish

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 30, 2012
Messages
226
Location
Peoples Republik of Kalifornia
There is a restriction on the amount of dry ice per cooler. Sometimes the processor will freeze the meat for you, Ask your guide or local contact. If you are flying into Missoula, those services are available there plus a casino!
 
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