Transport of meat from Cali

[Vo2max]

Anyone have any experience with airlines and packing meat? Dry ice or no? Freeze before placing in cooler and then take immediately to process upon arrival home? Anything I need to know that I don't know?!?!?!!

Heading to Cali next weekend (flying in) and returning 3 days later hopefully with meat in tow. Not an option to drive from Bellingham.

Advice appreciated.

Erik

[cougfan79]

Most airlines will allow you to check 50lbs in a cooler for a flat fee.  After that the price goes up pretty fast.  I would definitely freeze before flight.  It has been a couple years since I flew with meat in cooler so could have changed. 

Best to just call the airline and they will tell you all the info you need.

Aaron

[QUINNB]

I just flew back with meat from Vermont in November. Like cougfan said freeze before you put it in the cooler and you should be good. I duct taped mine shut with no ice or dry ice and it was still frozen when I got back to my house 15 hours later.

[Vo2max]

Thanks gents.
I appreciate the help. 50lbs only... Hope to get a few pigs btwn two of us. I had better sharpen my knives and not shoot large boars!

[WAcoueshunter]

Yes, flew back today with a box full.  Vacuum packed and frozen solid, pulled it out of the freezer in Arizona at 6am pacific this morning, then loaded it into the freezer here around 6pm tonight.  Still frozen solid. 

[Vo2max]

Any concern for meat being frozen, thawing out then frozen again after fully processed?

[lokidog]

Any concern for meat being frozen, thawing out then frozen again after fully processed?

No, just remember the total time that it is warmer than frozen, spoiling time is cumulative and does not start from zero each time it is thawed.

I once drove from Anchorage to Lake Stevens in three days, the frozen meat and fish was still frozen.  In fact, I had to thaw some of the boned out caribou quarters a few more days before it got soft enough to finish butchering.  I just lined cardboard boxes with 1" foam from Home Depot.  It does seem to stay frozen better left in the largest chuncks possible. 

[chukar58]

I have come back from Texas with fresh venison and wild hog and I did not freeze or have ice on it.  If you are traveling with fresh meat get it as cold as you can.  Go through the TSA inspection and then seal the lid of your cooler with duct tape.  For best results have a cooler that is just large enough for all of your fresh game meat and not much extra space.   Good luck on your hog hunt,  love the taste of a wild sow hog that was under 100 lbs on the hoof!

[Vo2max]

Thanks chukar58. I appreciate the help. We've found a local butcher where we're headed and a friend will be shipping the meat back for us. A few details to iron out on these out of state hunts! It all will work out however. I will make sure to post pics

[Come Get Some]

I do not know what type of coolers you have. BUT I drove home from New Mexico this year with 2 muke deer. I froze them before we left, Placed them in my YETI coolers. NO ICE, It was frozen solid when we got home 35 hour drive. I alos took frozen dinners into Hells Canyon in my YETI 40 quart coolers on my mules. We went in 16 miles,stayed 2 weeks, Food did not thaw in the coole we did not open. It was no cooler than 75 degrees at night and was in the 90,s during the day.

[Come Get Some]

I do not know what type of coolers you have, I drove home from New Mexico this year 35 hours with 2 mule deer. We froze them and put them in Yeti coolers. It was frozen solid when we got home. I used the same type of cooler when I went into Hells Canyon . We went in 16 miles on horses. We froze our meals before we went in. The cooler we did not open stayed froze for 2 weeks. It wa 75 Degrees at night and in the 90's during the day. YETI has my vote

[Fl0und3rz]

Thanks gents.
I appreciate the help. 50lbs only... Hope to get a few pigs btwn two of us. I had better sharpen my knives and not shoot large boars!

Please leave Pelosi, Boxer, and Feinstein there, unless you plan a shoulder mount.