Meat/antler shipping question

[Miles]

Miles -- How is dry ice more of a pain than it's worth?  I've used it many times with no problems.

Mostly because you don't need it.  Pack the frozen meat tightly in a cooler and it will remain frozen for the whole trip without any ice at all.  If you do use dry ice, you have to deal with handling it as well as the added headache/paperwork at the airport. If I am remembering correctly you can only have up to 5 lbs if shipping by air, and you must ship anything with dry ice through cargo, not the regular terminal.    So it's simply a pain in the ass and not worth it in my opinion.

[NRA4LIFE]

I agree with Miles.  Additionally, dry ice can freezer burn meat REALLY bad if it is not insulated from the meat, thus reducing it's freezing abilities.  If a package of meat comes into direct contact with the dry ice, it is basically ruined (found that out the hard way). 

[boneaddict]

I have found the road trip is easier and is cheaper, especially if you ahppen to shoot a moose in Alaska or an elk in NM, and eating the meat is important to you.   If the meat isn't important to you, you can often give it to charity. 

[boneaddict]

The paperwork that is involved with dry Ice is a pain, especially if it is not necessary.  A full cooler of frozen meat is the best Ice pack ever.

[MtnMuley]

I was referring to dry ice with road tripping.  I always pack the ice chests with frosen meat and cover it with towels and they pack dry ice on top.  I'd rather be safe than sorry on a 3 day road trip back.

[Miles]

I was referring to dry ice with road tripping.  I always pack the ice chests with frosen meat and cover it with towels and they pack dry ice on top.  I'd rather be safe than sorry on a 3 day road trip back.

    I see what you're saying now.  I was just referring to it being a pain when flying because he said he was planning on flying for both trips.   If I was traveling for a couple days over the road I would probably throw a couple pieces of dry ice in as a precaution as well.

[MtnMuley]

Gotcha.  I wasn't aware of the regulations when flying.  Thanks for the info!

[blacktail7]

Thank again for all the replies!  Last year we flew southwest to and from oklahoma and on the return trip home with the meat i called the airlines to ask about using dry ice.  I cant remember the exact amount she said we could use, i just remember it being a crazy small amount.  Enough i felt that it wasnt needed.  So i just froze all the meat solid, put it on ice in a cooler i bought, duct taped the lid shut and when i got home it was all still completely frozen.  That is probably what ill do if im sucessful this year as well.  Ill just have to use more than one cooler!   Thanks again everyone!  Hopefully ill have some killer pics to post this year!