Transporting In From Out Of State

[dreadi]

I just got permission to hunt on private property in Florida while I'm already going to be there during the archery season. Bonus points for the property being two miles away from where I'll be staying. Bonus Bonus that there is no recorded CWD in Florida.  Bag limit is two deer. Possession limit is four. It looks like at the most I'll be bringing back four. Having done a bit of internet research it looks like the best thing is to get some reusable coolers, pack the meat with sex indicator and tag on top. Write all my info on the cooler (white cooler).  Also, it looks like dry ice on the bottom, separate the meat from it with cardboard. I plan on likely having to debone it in Florida for ease of packing. I plan on transporting the meat by flying it back with me as a checked item(s) which I have read up on here https://www.alaskaair.com/content/cargo/ship-wild-game

What do you guys wrap the coolers with to keep them from opening?
What do you wrap the meat in so that you can process it at home?
Are there any particular coolers you recommend? I'm not spending YETI money on a ice chest.
Do you have any tips on transporting the the skull and horns for a euro mount?

Is there anything that I haven't covered that should be addressed?

[BULLBLASTER]

I wouldn’t think you would need dry ice for that trip. Freeze the meat and put it into coolers and check like normal. I flew back from New Zealand with stag meat frozen in a foam cooler and it was thawed but cold 30+ hours after we left. It was vacuum sealed in boned out condition.

Good luck on the hunt

[dreadi]

Just freeze the meat...didn't even think about freezing it before coming back. Thank you.

[lamrith]

Buy a cheap plastic cooler in FL if you get one or more down.

Get meat into some sort of sealed airtight bags, then get it frozen 100% solid then into a cooler.  Vac sealer would be great for this to get air out and meat as compact as possible.  I would definitely debone it.

No normal ice at all, Dry ice if you feel the need.  Are you taking a direct flight or multiple hops?

Get the cooler packed up with meat and then tape it shut, seal the lid and then maybe a wrap around it a few places to make sure it stays closed, do not rely on the factory hinges and latches.
I have heard of staff wanting to see inside to verify no ice and that things are frozen so maybe have some tape with you that you can put in your other checked baggage?

Name and info on outside is good, but I would not put that it is game, tag information or anything like that on the outside.

[dreadi]

Vac sealer...those are plentiful incase I need to get one and many bags. The YL agrees with both of you.

I’m taking a direct flight back. Alaska has their requirements for marking the package, I’ll have to meet that at a minimum. I’ll definitely need to take some extra tape too. That’s a good idea. It’s like taking extra zip ties for sealing weapons cases.

[MR5x5]

Dry Ice, tightly sealed container, aircraft...  Might want to check on that combo.  I would think you'd at least want a vent to avoid an inadvertent CO2 bomb..??

[dreadi]

They do have a limit of 5.5lbs for dry ice in the container that must be leak proof.

Non resident tag in FL is so cheap. $58 for a 10 day archery deer hunt.

[Stein]

Freeze the meat as cold as you can get someone to do it for you.  Then, pack tightly and fill the voids with towels or newspapers if you can.  Dry ice to the max per bag and duck tape the whole thing shut and you should be good.  I wouldn't try it in August, but when the weather cools down in the fall you will be fine.  Since you are flying AS, I assume it is a nonstop flight which is perfect.

[WAcoueshunter]

I brought a yeti soft side cooler back from NC packed with frozen fish in mid-summer. It was HOT!  Probably 14 hours of travel from freezer to freezer and it made it here still frozen. Point is, freeze it, pack it tight, and go for it.

[lokidog]

Just freeze the meat...didn't even think about freezing it before coming back. Thank you.

That was going to be my suggestion. Many years ago I froze two boned out caribou in quarters. Three day drive from Anchorage and it still took three days to finish thawing enough to butcher using home made coolers.

Save weight on your "coolers", buy some u-haul boxes, line them with 1" foam insulation from home depot. Or, just wrap the frozen meat in garbage bags, wrap all of your clothes around it for insulation and fly it in a duffel bag or suitcase.  I had cut/wrapped frozen venison last year in WI, made it back here just fine in regular baggage.

[spin05]

Just a FYI that 5.5lbs is per person not per container. Also make sure you label it as containing dry ice

[Special T]

I purchase and Igloo Cube for my trip hauling deer meat. Fits the maximum dimensions. I would do the great stuff kid insulation as they dont have any.

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[fishngamereaper]

Skip the dry ice. If its frozen solid and packed tight you wont have any issues. You are flying at 30k feet, its not like the belly of the plane is kept at room temp.

[Knocker of rocks]

You are flying at 30k feet, its not like the belly of the plane is kept at room temp.

It better be, that's where the dogs and cats go.

[Stein]

In the air isn't the problem, sitting in a baggage cart on the tarmac in the Florida sun is where you will have the problem.  You can also run into flight delays or cancellations as well as lost bags, so I tend to error on the side of planning for the worst.  90% of the time it is overkill.