If I remember right, it was when you could have 2 checked bags for free, plus carry on. I think I checked 3 boxes of 50 lbs of meat above that. Spread the rest across my backpack/carry on, bow case and duffle bag that I brought out. All 5 checked bags just under 50lbs, plus a heavy carry on! I shipped the rack and most of my clothes/boots home UPS separately to make room for meat in the duffle. I think it costs me about $300 to bring it with me (again, it's been awhile, but I think that's what it was)

Another hunter going to New England UPS/overnighted his meat, at $800. I chose to roll the dice and made it.

Getting meat home, unless you drive, is a challenge when you fly cross country.

However in this thread, we're talking game birds at significantly under 200lbs, so you could probably freeze them and shove them in a suitcase wrapped in thermal hunting clothes.