Meat transport ?

[MW]

I will be going on a hunt in Texas next week.  This will be my first hunt traveling by air and wanted to know what you all do to get meat home.

I have heard to butcher it up and pack in a cooler with dry ice.

Any thoughts?

[LV2HUNT]

Traveling by air is tricky. You cannot use regular liquid ice. Additionally, if you use dry ice you can only use "dry ice" approved containers or coolers.

[mmgrode]

I'd also like to hear about meat transport. ttt for MW

[Kevin Bahr]

I wouldn't try flying with dry ice.  
If you are lucky enough to bag your critter early in the hunt, and can get it frozen, it will keep until you get home if it is part of your checked bags.  If not, I would take the boned, boxed meat to Fedex and see if they can get it to you next day air, with ice.  Or, you could figure out someone to leave it with and get it frozen and then have the frozen meat next-day-aired home.  Good luck!

[RL]

I shipped 50 dungeness crabs to Arizona from Washington in a waxed box with blue ice packs thrown in. I shipped it air cargo and had no problems.

[Kevin Bahr]

Air cargo is another good way to go...good call, RL.

[Thicket Hunter]

I would suggest dry ice and a waterproof container or box. I drove from Colorado to Texas (2 days) with the dry ice on top of the meat, in an ice chest. It was still frozen when I got home. Here is the link to the Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations dealing with game carcasses.  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/carcass/

Mark

[Ted Fry]

Dry ice is a tricky thing to fly with now , I would do as Kevin said . I have done this several times without a hitch . Ship your gear home mail and fly with the frozen meat as bagage.

[LV2HUNT]

If you are able to get access to a freezer you can also freeze regular water bottles to act as a coolant.

[SOS]

If you are flying with it, it usually isn't a problem just to pack a cooler with cold or frozen meat.  Is usually in good shape when you get home, especially this time of year when it is cool out.  Used to be no problem with 5 pounds or less of dry ice in the cooler, but regulations my have changed so check with the airline.  Many years ago, had a friend pack a bunch of pig parts (cold, not frozen) double bagged and wrapped in a foam sleeping pad in a carry on duffle and though it weighed a ton, threw it in the over head.  Spent the whole 2 hour flight looking for dripping blood but it stayed sealed tight!  That was before 9/11 though.

[Danny Rowan]

I go to Texas every year from Guam and I fly back to Guam with meat. I have it butchered at the processer, it is flash frozen solid in packages. I put the frozen packages in a good cooler and check it as luggage. The meat is still frozen when I arrive in Guam,18 hours of flying time from Houston, one stop in Hawaii. Total time from Dallas to Guam with ground time is probably 24 hours or more. I have also packed regular ice on top of the meat and the ice was not even melted when I unpacked the meat at home on Guam. If the meat is frozen and you have a good cooler and you fill it up with meat, you should have no problem going anywhere on the mainland by air. Just remember, no bags over 70 pounds.

Danny

[MW]

Thanks for the input.