I am flying United Airlines.
The weight limit is 50# per checked bag with a max of 99# for a penalty of $25 dollors per overwieght bag.
Any more than two bags is $80 per bag plus any weight penalty. That comes out to $105 a bag for the extra bags.
The bagages must be inspectable and if dry ice is used (limit 4.5 lbs per bag max.) the bag with any dry ice must be vented.

I have done all that homework already.

My last Elk rode home with me from ID in two coolers in the back of my Tahoe. One was 120 qt unit and the other a 60 qt unit. The Elk was boned out and most of the fat trimmed off.
I have no Idea what it weight. It was a Six by Six bull.

I know the weights of my large cooler which I intend to take it out as luggage.( my grip inside). Hopefully it will be coming back with Elk in it. Figuring the weight of the cooler I should be able to pack 77 lbs of meat and dry ice in there. I know from using it in the past that I'll only need about a pound of dry ice if the Elk is already froozen.

Any one have a good weight range guess on the boned out and trimmed Elk?

I figure the worst case is I can UPS my grip home cheaper than the $80 the extra bag would cost me and no real hassle. Almost the same with my bow in the hard case. UPS is a lot safer than the airlines when it comes to undamaged goods, loss and misrouting. My dirty hunting clothes and other things in the grip will not spoil or be wasted if they take a couple of days getting home where as the meat would be losted or cost about $3 a pound to over night.

I am I missing any options here that any of you may have tried?