Flying in to Montana this Oct. for an elk/mule deer hunt with an outfitter. This will be my first hunt for elk/mule deer. How do you guys that fly in for a hunt get your meat home? What service do you use and what does it usually cost? Do the game processors in the area usually make arrangements to handle shipping also?
Thanks for any info you can supply.[&:]

Thats a good one am intrested myself have driven to most hunts but do plan on flying out next time

You should always discuss this with your outfitter well before your hunt. Many outfitters will supply you with styrofoam coolers and dry ice. They will probably charge you for this. Some may require you to bring your own. On many fly-ins, weight is a consideration. You may be charged, by the pound, if you are over a predetermined weight limit. Again, discuss this with your outfitter well beforehand, so there are not any unwanted surprises.

I don't have a clue what a game processor will do for you, but I have flown with meat that I processed myself. Bought coolers (hard plastic ones, styrofoam wouldn't physically make it past the check in conveyor belt), put dry ice in them wrapped in newspaper and inserted meat. After I checked them in I wrapped duct tape around lid and around cooler so it can't pop open. Last time I went overweight with my bags and got charged $75. I think every airline is different with what they charge for overweight bags, you will want to look into that if your flying your meat home with you.

I have this problem every time I fish in Alaska.
First, NEVER use a styrofoam cooler, as Jorgy said, , I bring my own coolers.
Then I always get charged 75-100 bucks in overweight charges by Delta depending on how much overweight they are.

You definately want to talk to your outfitter. You can get it processed by someone your outfitter recommends. They wrap and prepare it for your flight home. also can UPS it overnight. I have heard of people trucking the meat home, but it takes 7-14 days.

My hunting partner had a mule deer cut up in Thayne Wyoming last year while we were hunting Southeast Idaho. That place would do anything, cut&wrap Make sausage, pepperoni, jerky etc. and ship anywhere. We just bought some dry ice for the drive home and loaded up the cooler but I did pick up a price list.

With info obtained on this sight I have decided to take my meat home (positive thinking on the kill) on the plane with me and ship my clothes and gun/equipment UPS. I appreciate the comments that helped me reach this decision. One more question; how much does a normal size elk boned out and wrapped normally weigh? The most I'll be able to fly home will be 200 lbs.
Thanks again for all the help

You should be aware that many people here have mentioned "dry ice" in the cooler .. which I admit to doing myself. But if they make you open it, and they defenietely might! you may have to pull it out as dry ice is not allowed on planes.

If you can get it flash frozen before you fly you may be ok if they make you pull it out .. then again you may not.

Also good to keep that duct tape handy to reseal anything they make you open during security.

I think 200lbs would probably cover a boned elk, but how much space would this take up? How many coolers?

--Bob