I live in central Wisconsin and am starting to plan my first elk hunt. I don't know where I am going yet, but it will be a guided hunt.

My question is: how do I get my elk meat home? I can probably only take a week off of work, so driving to New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, etc. is probably not an option. So, if I fly to my destination, how do I get the meat home? Obviously if I drive, I would bring coolers or freezer, etc.

Thanks for all your help.

Several large ice chests and lots of ice is what I plan to use my first time. My wife told me 2 days ago she booked me my first elk hunt as a christmas gift.SWEET! I think she wants a new SUV! l.o.l.

That is a tough one. I would suggest changing the title of your thread to "How do you ship elk meat home?". Or, I would PM the following member

EKM

He knows plenty about elk hunting.

If you are using an outfitter, then they should have the appropriate answer to this piece of the transport puzzle.

At the very least, if you are successful, buy a couple of ice chest that max out the size restriction and take as much meat on the plane with you as possible. Sure you may have to pay extra baggage, but you get to arrive home withsomeelk meat. Get the rest shipped, probably as EKM says, check with your outfitter on that one. It won't be cheap, but you don't have any other choice unless you drive.

Take a knife, fork, and book of matches with.

(lol)

If you only have a week, and you are flying, you will want (have to) to use a local meat processor to cut and package your elk. THEY will know about shipping it to your home. I assume you'll be using an outfitter and a lot of them include processing as part of the fee. Also check with them.

Been there, done that, hopefully doing it again in 2007 [&:]

The outfitter will have suggestions, ask him. I flew mine home on the plane with me as checked baggage. Check with your airline, they will have baggage restrictions and keep them in mind while packing. Typically you will be allowed 2 checked bags and 1-2 SMALL carry on bags.

Here's what I did: I shipped a bunch of clothes/boots home via UPS, along with the rack (no cape, I just kept the rack). Butcher bundled the meat in 50lb wax lined boxes. This was 4 boxes, plus a smaller one (220lbs of meat). I took the smaller box and put it in my carry on and my other checked bag. It costs for any bag over 2 and they are limited to 50lbs or there is an additional fee. I think they are limited to 100 lbs max. I think it cost me roughly $240 to fly the meat home. Had a slight panic attack while sitting in Chicago for 2+ hours watching the boxes of meat sit outside in the 75degree sunshine in the luggage trolly.

Another hunter in camp used UPS to overnight all his meat, cape and rack home next day air. Cost him around $900 but he said it was worth it to know it was safely home in the freezer.

Suggestions:

- PACK LIGHT, try to only use one checked bag, probably your bow/gun case. Use a bigger carry on.

- Think about shipping home the bow and clothes to lighten up the load on the plane.

Driving may not be an option due to vacation time, but it seems a better optoin for meat care, pack big coolers with frozen meat and off you go.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help. Now I just need to decide where to go, when to go, and get into "elk hunting" shape. I am not overweight, but could use some cardio work.

Thanks again.

A friend of mine mailed hers (wrapped and frozen) across the country using Uline's insulated foam shipping kit -- the largest is about $44. its dimensions are 26"x19"x10 1/2". put in several pounds of dry ice, and ship it fedex or ups (oversize), next day or second day. Good Luck on your hunt!