Has anyone ever had processed meat shipped?

I was lucky enough to take a bull in Colorado 2nd week of archery. I made the trip by myself and didn't want to drive 33 hours, so I flew out and back. When I made plans to do so I figured odds are I probably won't get one and if I do I'll deal with it when the time comes. Well here I am. My bull was sent to a processor in Gypsum, I hunted with an outfitter who told me I could have it shipped for $400-$500. I checked overnight rates with UPS and Fedex and assuming I'm looking at 250-300 pounds of meat it could be double that.

Am I expecting more meat than I should be? Will a processor get about 250-300 pounds of meat from a mature bull? Could my outfitter be shipping 2nd day air instead of overnight? If anyone can answer some of these questions I would appreciate your input. Maybe I'll be more prepared next trip.

Thanks, Rob

Well when I got an Elk many years ago when I lived in Co I ended up with 247 pounds of meat in the freezer from my 5x4. So you really have to think, doI need that much meat and can I eat that much before it goes bad in the freezer??? I would think they would be able to freeze it and pack it in shipping coolers and send it 2nd day air and it would be ok or to be safe throw in some dry ice. Elk is better than venison I think anyway. Good luck and congrats on a successful elk hunt.

You won't get 250# of meat unless you shot a moose. You might get that much if they mix in a lot of suet or make a lot of sausage with lots of pork mixed in, etc. You can expect 130-175# of bonelessmeat from a mature elk. Now, if you are also shipping the cape/antlers of your bull, that would be xtra weight and shipping costs for sure.

150-175 of pure meat from your elk.

No need to overnight it. The best way to do it is air freight but that has to go from airport to airport. See if your processor can drop it off at an air cargo terminal at the local airport.

if you use express mail next day servicefrom the Post office a 70 lb package would run around 235.00. If you use priority mail which is usually 2 to 3 days it would be about 75.00 for a 70 lb box.

you will find that USPS is almost always cheaper than FEdEX and UPS

Thanks for the feedback.