This is what I've done many times:

Travel to hunting location by plane with two large checked items plus as large of a carry on as I can get away with (large overnight bag type thing).

1. One of the checked bags is a large cooler, packed with gear if necessary.
2. Other checked bag is a large "hockey bag" filled with bulky hunting gear - packed inside a second large cooler, if I decide I need two.
3. Carry on(s) filled to capacity with whatever else I need.

I used to also check a gun. It often was my second bag (other being large cooler filled with gear). On return, it was always a third bag, but generally the airline didn't charge extra for a third checked bag if it was sports equipment like guns or skis. Airlines no longer do this and my gun counts as a checked bag. This was going to cost me the $50-$75 extra bag charge EACH TIME - sometimes both ways on a trip. Therefore I'm going to borrow a gun from a hunting partner. A couple of them have *multiple* excellent guns (most likely higher quality than my own), so it's not a problem getting one to use. I just go a day or so ahead of time and shoot (sight in, get familiar). I am also thinking of buying a second hunting rifle to leave at hunting partner's house, since I'm getting into the routine of hunting there nearly every year.

RETURN TRIP with meat (usually a good 12 hour trip, can be 24 hours if I pack the night before and get home too late to deal with meat). I've never had any spoilage or problems whatsoever. This is what we do:

We have the meat cut up by a local meat cutter we know. He gives us priority treatment and gets it done by the time we have to leave.

We get the meat chilled as much as possible. Generally not frozen though. Frozen is best, if possible. If it's frozen, you have not a worry in the world.

Pack in good quality cooler (or coolers). I go ahead and pay the excess baggage and/or excess weight charge. A good quality cooler, well sealed (seal with duct tape if it's not a good seal) will maintain coolness for a good 24 hours, no problem. If it's frozen, it will stay frozen. If cool, it's as if it's been in the fridge for that time. These new Igloo coolers really do work as they say.

If some of the meat is frozen and the rest is just cooled, the frozen meat helps keep the whole thing cooler.

In the old days of 70 lb bags, I'd pay excess weight for a 100 lb cooler, or take two 70 lb coolers and pay excess baggage if needed.

Haven't really figured out what I'm going to do now in the days of 50 lb limits. I'll do some figuring and plan for contingencies depending on how much meat I get. I'm thinking three bags - one of clothes, two of meat. I may have to pay the excess bag charge for the second meat, and maybe excess weight on both coolers if I am lucky enough to get more than 100 lbs (2X50) of meat.

If I have time, I mail back my large duffel full of bulky gear to save some money on the third checked bag, but if it's saving a $50 excess baggage charge, it often isn't worth the expense and hassle of finding a box, packing it, and taking it to the post or UPS office.

I've also FEDEXed frozen meat and fish - again, if frozen in a good cooler, it's no problem at all. Just expensive. I also once air freighted some meat. This was a good 10 - 15 years ago. My buddy dropped the cooler off at Northwest Airlines air freight and I picked it up at the airport at my town. Again, expensive, but effective.

So my two bits of advice: If you can stomach it, leave your gun at home because that will reduce your checed baggage. Mail your bulky hunting gear to further reduce return checked baggage.

Good luck and I hope your problem is how to deal with all the meat!