air travel and returning with processed wild game meat
- Thread starter ruger22
- Start date
I've travelled with frozen fish and game. Checked luggage. Used foam lined boxes. Hope the luggage doesn't get lost. If they do lose it, it will surely be found after a couple of weeks... Have also shipped air freight.
The weight of the shipment will probably determine whether you go with luggage or freight.
Probably a good idea to have tags, etc. accompany the meat.
The weight of the shipment will probably determine whether you go with luggage or freight.
Probably a good idea to have tags, etc. accompany the meat.
Yes I have talked to the Guide, and his recommended Butcher.
Was wondering what others have found worked well.
Or experiences they have learned from...
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Will a butcher be able to have it ready for you before you go home? What about just deboneing it and packing it in coolers?
Last fall I flew from Gander, NFLD to Halifax NS with about 75lbs of moose. My father was a meat cutter for 35 yrs, so he did the buthchering. I did the wrapping. I put it in the foam trays and wrapped it. No vaccuum sealing. Packed it in one of the below coolers after it was frozen and flew back to Haifax. All told, the I'd say the moose was in the cooler 5-6 hours. When I took it out to put in the freezer, the frost wasn't even thawed on the moose. Very good cooler. Worth the coin IMHO. I told the check in personnel what was in the cooler but they still X-rayed it. No biggie. Didn't have to pay extra as I'm military and get free checked luggage. I did have a copy of my moose license just in case.
I've flown from NFLD to Victoria BC with frozen moose, rabbit, fish, salt meat and whatever else I wanted to be brought back. Usually just pack it frozen and wrapped up in newspaper to keep it well insulated. Works very good. Had a bag go missing once with frozen wild game in it. Showed up next day leaking a little blood but no big deal.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-xtreme-5-marine-cooler-70-quart-0854252p.html#srp
Hope this helps.
I've flown from NFLD to Victoria BC with frozen moose, rabbit, fish, salt meat and whatever else I wanted to be brought back. Usually just pack it frozen and wrapped up in newspaper to keep it well insulated. Works very good. Had a bag go missing once with frozen wild game in it. Showed up next day leaking a little blood but no big deal.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/coleman-xtreme-5-marine-cooler-70-quart-0854252p.html#srp
Hope this helps.
powdermaker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Our local butcher goes up to Reindeer lake,( northern Saskatchewan) for 2 weeks every September. Last year, he and his wife cut and wrapped 8 bull moose for a hunting camp. The packages are frozen and then shipped south in coolers.
This is a high end, outfitted hunt, ( read-expensive) but shows that it can be done successfully from a remote area. Sorry, I have no idea what the air freight would cost....
I have often thought about hunting moose/caribou in Newfoundland. The logistics of getting the meat home has been one of my concerns as well. So, thanks for posting.
This is a high end, outfitted hunt, ( read-expensive) but shows that it can be done successfully from a remote area. Sorry, I have no idea what the air freight would cost....
I have often thought about hunting moose/caribou in Newfoundland. The logistics of getting the meat home has been one of my concerns as well. So, thanks for posting.
verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
Vacuum seal, freeze, wrap in newspaper, and into a styrofoam cooler with frozen beans. Pack cooler in a cardboard box.
If you have enough checked bag space, check it. If you don't, check what you can and ship the rest. Likely cheaper to ship than pay additional bag fees, but that might be more convenient.
If you have enough checked bag space, check it. If you don't, check what you can and ship the rest. Likely cheaper to ship than pay additional bag fees, but that might be more convenient.
I have done two days of early fall travel with a cooler full of frozen venison riding in the back of my truck.
It was still frozen when I pulled in at home.
Froze it as cold as the freezer would go. Packed it in tight, taped at the seams of the lid in a fish box essentially a long narrow styrofoam cooler.
My best estimate. You'll be just fine.
It was still frozen when I pulled in at home.
Froze it as cold as the freezer would go. Packed it in tight, taped at the seams of the lid in a fish box essentially a long narrow styrofoam cooler.
My best estimate. You'll be just fine.
Yes the butcher will de bone, cut the steaks, roasts and grind the rest as per the cut. Then vac seal, and freeze.
This is part of the fixed cost.
I will sight see around the province till butcher is done.
The butcher spoke with a lot of experience as I suspect guided hunts are a big part of his business.
He said no problem shipping via air, frozen vac sealed around Canada in cardboard meat boxes
One thing that surprised me.
Guess I should find out what a meat box is...
The time of year is mid September.
Anybody encounter airline restrictions on weight, either extra baggage or air freight?
How about preferences re air Canada vs west jet?
patricksbb391
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa & WMU 62
I used to fly Vancouver to Ottawa with frozen Salmon and Dungenese Crab. The hotel kitchen staff froze everything over nite and I packed in styrofoam cooler supplied by my Guide. One time the cooler did get lost but after 11-12 hours was still rock solid.
Best of Luck!
Best of Luck!
