Airborne Elk?
 

I just had a great deal land in my lap. One of my wife's old friends invited us up to Or. for Sept. Elk season. Have a place to stay, all we need is airfare and tag money! My question I guess is how many have flown with hunting equip. (Bow,gear,packs) lately? Any tips I need to know?

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

Why not just drive it???? I think I'd be too nervous to pack up my stuff and put it on a plane. Plus if you get lucky (meaning kill an elk), you'll want to bring that meat home, and it'll be a lot easier in a bunch of coolers on ice than trying to get it shipped IMHO.

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

Well I guess I could, that is a option, but I only have a week available to use(work) and a 19hr drive would take a bit of the fun(time) out of it, I think. Also have done the math and price wise air fare to gas/time I break even with a favoring to air... Don't know, thats why I'm asking. Wifes friendshusband will pack meat (if it happens) for shipping home. I have heard and read that the best way is to UPS or FED EX bow and equip there a few days in advance so I know its there and waiting, not in lost baggage area in outer B.F.E. with gorillas jumping on it.:D

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

To me driving is always the best plan, simply because it allows you so much more flexibility in what you take.

There have been trips where I had to fly, but you will have to cut equipment down to a bare minimum. Then the trip home if you get a Bull is even more Fun;)

Sounds like Fun!! Good Luck!:D

Dan

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

You can ship extra gear out ahead of time UPS and I have done that. I had the Elk meat packaged, froze, and then overnighted to me once I was home.

Cost was over $500. I wouldn't do that again!![8D]

Dan

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

When flying, dont overlook all the extra space in your bow case. I pack it full of t-shirts, socks, etc. Helps to cushion the bow and cuts down on baggage.

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

Good Advice!

I always do that, even when I'm driving;)

Dan

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

Driving 19 hours would be a pain. My last deer hunting trip I took to the midwest I traveled via air. It took a lot of planning and a lot of coordination. A couple of weeks prior to trip, I Fedex'ed most of mygear to my brother. This included mytree stand, bulky clothing and things you would not want to carryin your baggage.A double bow case will provide additional room for clothing especially. I got a nice deerand I bought a cooler to take (some) meat back home. $25 extra baggage on Southest.A carryon cooler forthe deer cape (frozen) and I shipped the horns via Fedex back to my home. It was additional cost and some additional work but 19 hour drive orfour hour flying time and layover. It seemed to be a much better option.

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

I suppose you could always SHIP your bow out, to make sure it's safe, and then fly out separate. I just get leary about my bow being where anyone could potentially mess with it.

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

I know with the price of Airfare currently flying is very tempting!

I have a ticket bought and in a few weeks I'll be flying from STL to Spokane, WA. roundtrip for $263 including all taxes.

2,000 miles? That was a No brainer decision for me.;)

Dan

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

Great advice. I have flown to Alberta four times with all of my bowhunting gear (including a tree stand) and only had a problem once (not too bad). They left one of my bagsbehind in Ontatio, but I got it the very next morning. That's why it's very important to leave at least one full day before your scheduled hunt date if you're going to fly.
I have the SKB rectangle bow case (fits split limb bows)and it fitmyVectrix XLwith PLENTY of extra space for lots of extra things like was mentioned above. Watch your bags (usually just 2 checked bags) weight also, they'll whack you no less than $50 per bag for beingover weight![:@]Have a great/safe trip.

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

Thanks for all the great ideas, and when I get back(mid Sept.) I'll post pics. It sounded fun and the cost will be low. Never have sat and wished for a elk hunt but when the oppertunitycame up I said "I'm in." Of course all of this is because wifey says " Wanna go out to see oregon and takein a rodeo(fall round up)" and I said "
well ok, but can I take my bow?"

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

I've flown to ID 3 times with my bow. I get very nervous until I see the bow case put onto the last plane of the connection!

If its an option, I'd ship the bow out to your friends house a week or so before hand.

If not, there's really no reason to not take it onto the plane. Pack the case FULL of clothes, put everything you need to hunt in the bow case: bow, sight, release, arrow, BH, knife, then pack every sq inch full of clothes. The only thing you are now missing to be able to hunt is your boots.

I've done this with my stuff and my wifes when we went on an elk hunt together, both bows, arrows etc and enough clothes to hunt and we were just under the 50lb weight limit.

Depending on the airport you MIGHT have to have the case checked by TSA, I even had to sign the "unloaded weapon" card and toss it into the case.

RE: Airborne Elk?
 

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