Conflict

[Hatchie Dawg]

I got my daughter's HS soccer schedule over the weekend. She is a senior, and four year starter on a team that has qualified for state the past two seasons making the final 4 last year. Senior Night is Thursday 10/8, the day I was supposed to go up the mountain for first rifle in CO. I had planned to leave on Tuesday but that is all out now. I will be there Thursday night to escort her across the field.

After some scrambling I have booked a flight on Southwest from Nashville to Denver Friday morning the 9th and will then rent a car and go to my hunt area about 6 hours away. I will stop and buy a cooler on the way, use it if I kill one and return it if I don't. I have no choice I feel, other than to ascend Friday evening before the Saturday opener completing the hike in the dark. I am not worried about the dark other than bumping elk all the way up. I need some things to fall into place that day. I hope I don't burn up the whole damn basin on the way in. I will then have 5 days without scouting to get it done

I will only have my pack, my rifle and a small day pack with a change of street clothes.I have never flown with a rifle and have never brought back a cooler of meat plus antlers if I am so lucky. Any pointers there would sure be appreciated. I know this stuff has been discussed before but hope some won't mind revisiting the topic.

Any pointers in general on the compressed schedule would also be appreciated.

Thanks
HD

 

[Jwill]

I've flown out for first rifle a couple times and would be happy to discuss logistics. Good decision on Southwest.

 

[Rocky176]

I'll be driving out from Pa. for the fourth season this year. If you have any trouble, look for a processor who will keep the meat and antlers. I'll be happy to pick everything up. I'll be hunting near Fairplay heading back home through Denver.

 

[1_pointer]

Flying with a gun IME is no tougher than any other checked bag. Hardsided lockable gun case, you keep the key. Declare it at checkin, sign the slip and your done.

Fly the meat back with you. Check airlines for max size of luggage. IIRC most 70qt coolers are at the max size. Ship your clothes/gear back with USPS/UPS so as to minimize baggage fees. Over weight and over number can add up. My last trip with my gear and meat was $750. Antlers/cap would have added another $250ish to that. If I had mailed my gear back, it would have knocked off a couple hundred.

 

[Revharvey9576]

Check out TSA website for firearm checkin.
Pretty straightforward.

Will give a word of caution though....we flew out of Charlotte with no problem, HOWEVER coming back from Denver was much more time consuming and frustrating dealing with TSA.

Denver is the 2nd busiest airport in the U.S.

 

[bobbydean]

Admire you decision.

My family meets for All American Quarterhorse trials in Ruidoso every August. Always lose one sister due to opening soccer tournament in San Diego.

Family is always the first choice!

 

[Muskeez]

I am glad to hear you made that decision as well. I hate to publicly admit this but hope others can learn from both of us; I found out my daughter would be on homecoming court the week before my first ever elk hunt, archery. I had planned for a year for this and my buddy had vacation time. It was also the last week of the season and we had $500 tags in our pockets, so we couldn't delay it. I missed the homecoming festivities and my son escorted her at the events. I was literally sick in the mountains that day. With no communication at all I couldn't reach her until after the hunt and several days after homecoming. (we now have a DeLorme) She totally understood, and I have been at every ball game, and every other event her whole life as I often skip work for such activities, but wow, that sucked. My point is, good job! you won't regret it. Elk or no elk, you can't get that day back with your daughter.

 

[JLS]

Good job dad! I can't help you with the logisitics, but I can applaud you for your priorities.

 

[H2OUUP2]

Such a great example of a dad. Wish I could help you out, but I'm in Idaho.

 

[BR-549]

It is certainly tough on you either way, but you are for sure making the right decision.

I was in three sports all through high school and one in college. My parents collectively missed one event (as punishment for something I did). At my last H.S. sports banquette I had them stand up as I thanked them for all of their support.

In contrast, I had a good friend who's parents never attended. It really bothered him but only us teammates were aware of that.

I missed one of my son's baseball games because I finished a job one evening thinking I could do both.... that will never happen again.

In all of this I am just trying to say, whether you think it does or you think it does not..... it matters to the kids.

 

[3xwt]

Sent you a PM. If there's anything I can do, let me know.

 

[CUElk]

I have flown out west several times and never had a problem with the gun. I have heard horror stories, but I never had an issue. I would invest in a quality case with piano hinges and a good lock. I used duct tape on mine as well. as far as the meat, last time we went to Montana I brought 2 mulies back in coolers. I froze them solid before I left, packed the cooler and wrapped in duct tape and they were fine. depending on the size of the cooler and weight they will charge anywhere from an extra bag charge (about $50) to maybe 200.00. have fun and good luck.

 

[Hatchie Dawg]

Thanks for all the kind response and offers of help. Things are falling into place and if I get lucky Friday the 9th and all goes according to schedule I will be on the mountain somewhere opening day. Spoke with Southwest twice today and had good experiences both times. First call was about traveling with the rifle and the guy that answered said "well let me tell what I did when I flew in from NM last week with my handgun". Next call was to inquire about flying back with coolers of meat. The guy said, "grill me some and you'll be ok". They were very friendly and took the gun thing and hunting thing in stride.

Ms Betty owns the hotel I usually stay in out in CO before and after going in. I called her and told her what was up and that I was going straight in Friday but would like to shower before going up. She said "no problem we will work that out." I will stay with her after coming down. Good folks.

Then I got all the offers of help from guys on this board. I was really just looking for info but there are fellows offering to go beyond that. I do appreciate it. I think I have everything covered except still not really sure about flying back with meat, baggage size limits, fees etc. I will call Southwest back and review some of that stuff.

Friday the 9th of Oct will be a terribly tough day and I will need things to really fall into place, but I feel much better about my hunt and chances today than I did yesterday.

Thanks again,
HD

 

[Hatchie Dawg]

My conflict on the right, by the way.

Untitled by jeff lansdale, on Flickr

 

[Elkmagnet]

Do yourself a favor and don't watch the baggage handlers load and unload the plain. I recommend meditation and positive thought during the baggage process.

 

[LopeHunter]

Carry on optics, if you can. Besides potential for theft in checked bags, the gaskets could fail on the optics at 30K feet elevation.

 

[Big Sky Dreamin]

Carry on optics, if you can. Besides potential for theft in checked bags, the gaskets could fail on the optics at 30K feet elevation.

LopeHunter you are absolutely wrong.

The optics will not reach an elevation above 8000 feet more likely not above 6000. Chances are they will be subject to higher pressures while you are on the mountain and not inside the controlled pressure capsule of an airplane. Do not worry unless you have to put on that cheap oxygen mask, the one with the bag that may not inflate. This means the cabin and cargo areas have climbed above 14000 feet or there is some sort of fire. In either case you will have bigger problems than optics.

As far as theft, maybe maybe not. Put your optics with your rifle and you will likely be fine. Stealing a gun from an airplane would be a big deal for the Feds. They tend to get upset when there could be an uncontrolled firearm inside security.

 

[davinski]

Not sure what you had in mind for the antlers, but most moose hunters split the skull plate and fold them, making them easier to pack into a box for either shipping or flying. Elk tines won't fold quite as flat, but it could be manageable. I probably wouldn't do that with a real monster. But, that's a good problem to have! If you harvest said monster, I'd just go with a reputable taxidermist out here, they're expert at shipping finished products home.

Ditto to planning on lots of time for TSA out of Denver. If you hit a commuter time, it can be a real zoo. Also, when you're done hunting, you might just consider leaving your unused ammo here/giving it away. It could save you some time checking back in for the trip home if you encounter TSA-train-the-new-guy-day. I have that t-shirt.

And good job with the decision. You're not alone. I just turned back in a tag it took me years to draw. Not enough time to do it right this year with all the kid stuff.

Good luck!

 

[JM77]

Most airlines allow a carry on AND a personal carry on that can fit under seat. My optics go in personal carry on, as I would no way risk them in baggage. My optics cost more than my gun. I had a hard rifle case destroyed once and had I not used duck tape, gun would have been loose from case.

I have also had TWO locks cut off my gun case. It's a miracle the second time my locking rod wasn't lost. Use a TSA lock on your gun case and they won't cut it off.

Also make sure how much ammo you can take and that it is packed in a box made for ammo. The after market plastic type is fine. Tape each box with duct or clear tape.

 

[Gerald Martin]

My conflict on the right, by the way.

Untitled by jeff lansdale, on Flickr

Sounds like you are making a great decision and looks like you a getting a good handle on logistics. I think if I were you, I would worry less on getting into the mountains for first light on Sat than I would making sure I was rested for the other days of the season.

As far as your conflict goes.... good choice. I just want to know what the dog did to tick her off that day?