Last season was my first "fly to hunt". I flew with United Airlines. I had to have my rifle in its own locked case. Ammo was in with my clothes.

When you approach the ticket counter you have to inform the counter person that you are traveling with a gun. He/she will probably call for someone to come and inspect your gun. Have your keys ready so you can open the case. I had to sign a form declaring the "weapon unloaded". You lock the case back up in his/her sight and he/she takes the gun away and makes sure it gets on the plan (that was the anxious point for me"). Also don't be suprised if the person "inspecting" the gun doesn't know anything about them. When you pick your gun up you don't have to do any more inspections, but I opened the case and made sure it was all there and o.k.

some advice
1. Call your airline and see what their procedures are
2. use a good airline approved case. ( I use the Cabelas bullet proof series 2 gun case w/ wheels) Yeah I know its not cheap, but neither is your rifle/scope and the cost of your hunt.
3. Keep the keys with you and be prepared to open the case when asked. (they took me in a separte room to open mine)
4. If you use luggage locks on your suitcase and put your ammo and or knifes in there they will cut the locks off and zip tie it back. ( they leave you this funny paper from Tom
Ridge Dept Homeland Securtiy....no joke).

This is off-subject, but I would keep my camera and binoculars, spotting scope in my carry on.

Don't forget to that on most airlines you only get 2 checked bags and 2 carry ons. Your gun case is one and clothes is the other. How do you plan on getting the meat back? I brought my antelope back as checked bagagge! The girl was supposed to charge me $75.00 for the extra luggage, but she could not find the form and did not charge me!!!

good luck