Flying to a hunt

[joelkdouglas]

I leave for an elk trip in about a week and a half. I'm flying to Utah.

My 30-06 is sighted in now (thanks to Scotty!), with a Leupold 6x42 LRD. I have a spare scope (Leupold 6x36 LRD) sitting on my 25-06, but the last time I used it was on the 30-06, so it should be sighted in for the 30-06 also.

Would you take the 6x36? Would you put it in your carry-on, or in your checked bag? I have a Leupold box I can put it in.

Anything else you can tell me that I might benefit from knowing about flying to a hunt? I understand ammo in a separate bag (i.e. not in the rifle case)?

Thanks!

 

[DrMike]

No experience flying to a hunt, but I sure do wish you every success, Joel. That sounds very exciting. Who will you be hunting with?

 

[wayno945]

My rifles travel in a pelican case. No issues losing zero or damage so far. They are worth the money. With a good case, I wouldnt bring the extra scope. I leave my ammo in the rifle case, its ok to have it in the same container provided the rifle is unloaded and the case is locked.

 

[joelkdouglas]

I'm hunting with KR Hunting in northeast Utah. It's a 5-day hunt, I fly out on 13 Sep.

I hope I'm ready! A buddy and I here rode 25 miles yesterday, and ran 1/4 mile intervals this morning, etc. And the rifle is sighted in. But I always think I should be in better shape, and always think I need to shoot more!

 

[joelkdouglas]

My rifles travel in a pelican case. No issues losing zero or damage so far. They are worth the money. With a good case, I wouldnt bring the extra scope. I leave my ammo in the rifle case, its ok to have it in the same container provided the rifle is unloaded and the case is locked.

I also have a pelican case. I haven't had any problems with it while moving around the country, but I've not flown with it before.

Thanks!

 

[6mm Remington]

Good luck on your hunt. Those are two very fine scopes for use on the 30-06 and the 25-06.

 

[JD338]

I have a Pelican 1750 case. I did not cut the center foam so the rifle(s) are held tight and do not move, even on an airplane. I would put the spare scope in the rifle case.

Good luck on your elk hunt!

JD338

 

[Elkman]

I have a metal case, and have traveled a few times with no problems. Make sure everything is tight, and do not worry. Another scope in your carry on would be great insurance. Best luck on your hunt.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Dad and I usually take hunting trips out of state together. As such, there is always a spare rifle along because there is a chance that something will go wrong and you will wish you had it. Scope breaks, bolt gets lost, who knows what.

I can recall at least twice we've used the spare rifle, once being on the black bear hunt last month. Granted, we've only driven the trips and not flown, but I'd still take two just as my hunting buddy is tomorrow when he flies to Montana for an antelope trip.

 

[DON]

I have flown from Tennessee to Colorado several times to hunt Elk. I usually fly with Southwest Airlines. I case the gun with a hard aluminum double gun case made by Cabelas. I put the gun, loaded ammo, range finder, radios etc. in the case. Never have had an issue. Allow extra time flying with a firearm due to any delays with your Airport. I advise you to check the regulations of your Airline plus TSA Regulations Prior to going, then call the Airline for clairification. I have had some delays at my Airport due to them seeing more Guitars than Firearms. On one trip I got called back three times only to have them inspect it twice and call by accident one time due to lack of communication. The thing you do not want is to arrive in Utah only to find out your gun is sitting at your Airport!

Don

 

[JD338]

I have flown from Tennessee to Colorado several times to hunt Elk. I usually fly with Southwest Airlines. I case the gun with a hard aluminum double gun case made by Cabelas. I put the gun, loaded ammo, range finder, radios etc. in the case. Never have had an issue. Allow extra time flying with a firearm due to any delays with your Airport. I advise you to check the regulations of your Airline plus TSA Regulations Prior to going, then call the Airline for clairification. I have had some delays at my Airport due to them seeing more Guitars than Firearms. On one trip I got called back three times only to have them inspect it twice and call by accident one time due to lack of communication. The thing you do not want is to arrive in Utah only to find out your gun is sitting at your Airport!

Don

TSA regulations state that loaded ammunition CAN NOT be in the same case as the firearm. You will need to check 2 bags.

JD338

 

[wayno945]

TSA regulations state that loaded ammunition CAN NOT be in the same case as the firearm. You will need to check 2 bags.

JD338

Not true. Here's the policy: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information ... ammunition

Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber for a rifle or pistol and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows the packing guidelines described above.

 

[Vince]

TSA regulations state that loaded ammunition CAN NOT be in the same case as the firearm. You will need to check 2 bags.

JD338

Not true. Here's the policy: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information ... ammunition

Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber for a rifle or pistol and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows the packing guidelines described above.

This is the way I know it too.
Unless the airline restricts it you can have your ammo, in an approved container, in the gun case.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I leave for an elk trip in about a week and a half. I'm flying to Utah.

My 30-06 is sighted in now (thanks to Scotty!), with a Leupold 6x42 LRD. I have a spare scope (Leupold 6x36 LRD) sitting on my 25-06, but the last time I used it was on the 30-06, so it should be sighted in for the 30-06 also.

Would you take the 6x36? Would you put it in your carry-on, or in your checked bag? I have a Leupold box I can put it in.

Anything else you can tell me that I might benefit from knowing about flying to a hunt? I understand ammo in a separate bag (i.e. not in the rifle case)?

Thanks!

Absolutely, I have had my baggage lost on a couple of vacations. Plus, you don't know what they hammered your baggage with. I would take a back up in my carry on.

 

[Elkman]

When I went Caribou hunting in Alaska, our luggage"including" weapons only made it to Anchorage. It took the airlines three days to find it. That really put a hurt on our hunting plans.

 

[waveslayer]

You always fly with your expensive stuff with you, that is your flass, binos, range finder, etc.. carry all of it.

 

[SJB358]

Joel I have a pelican if you need to borrow it for your hunt. I'll be back home tomorrow evening.

I also fly with part of the ammo in the case and another part in a separate bag. Figure I have a better chance of at least having ammo.

 

[jimbires]

about 10 years ago I flew to Missouri for a hunt . at that time I had to have my rifle and ammo in different bags . both had to be locked . I put my rifle , binos , knife , and a few other items in the rifle case . I put my ammo in with my clothes . there was a weight limit on the ammo , it was way more than I was taking .I think it was something like 15 pounds . I was "randomly selected" at each stop for a more thorough check . I think everything was checked except my prostrate.

about 8 years ago I drove to Montreal Canada , then flew to Kuujjuaq to hunt caribou . the flight was set up for hunters . guns and ammo in different locked bags . the bags were x-rayed . our meat was on the return flight to Montreal . no problems at all .

how are you planning on getting your meat back home ?

 

[joelkdouglas]

Joel I have a pelican if you need to borrow it for your hunt. I'll be back home tomorrow evening.

Thanks for the offer! I have a 1750 I'm taking along.

 

[joelkdouglas]

how are you planning on getting your meat back home ?

First, I hope to kill a good bull. I don't want to presuppose anything...

If I kill a good bull KR will take it to a local processor and they'll process the bull. I'm active duty, and I'm flying on Delta, but I'm not on orders to travel. The current rules say I can transport 2 bags free, up to 50 lbs each. I could then carry up to 100 lbs of meat home, assuming I ship my other goods home. Or the processor says for a couple hundred dollars they can ship the meat (overnight) to me. I will probably ask the processor to ship the meat to me. Another benefit of this is the processor could age the meat a while.

My wife also wants the hide soft tanned. That will mean skinning in the field and carrying the hide out in one piece--we'll see what happens with that. May not even be possible if we have to quarter before skinning. Other elk I've taken aren't always kind enough to die in convenient places!