Gents

After many years I got a bison license through the lottery for a young bull (700#-1000#) Hunt will take place early December. At 72 years of age I can't stand the thought of driving 22 hours each way in my truck. I intend to fly to Sioux Falls, rent a truck, do the hunt and fly back. I have contacted a meat locker who will hang the bison 2 days, butcher and then vacuum pack and freeze. They estimate 4 coolers shipped on a Monday to arrive on a Thursday. Estimated cost $2,000.

Anyone have suggestions for other options? Thanks in advance.

Don, last year I had a local guy in Montana butcher my bison and freeze it in about three or four days as I recall. We donated all the meat to charity, except for the backstraps, tenderloins and some sausage and ground meat he made for us.

I bought two big coolers at a local Walmart and he filled them with 134 lbs. of frozen meat. We taped them up with a big roll of duct tape and flew home with them.

It cost us somewhere around $500 in extra baggage charges. Everything arrived still frozen as solid as a rock.

We are still thawing and eating it almost weekly.

For that cost, I’d drive

I'm sure you could find a friend to tag along with you.

I drew the Trophy Bison tag in 2020. I drove from VA and had my dad with me. Honestly, it isnt a bad drive and pretty much a straight shot. I bet 3 coolers and some dry ice wouldn't be a problem. While they butcher it go to Custer and watch the Bighorn or do some bird hunting.

I really like that part of country, I would use the one day hunt as an excuse to spend some time out there.

Why don't you ask around and find a young guy to go with you to drive.

Or is it the time in the truck that would be a pain.

Good for you guys…
I have Max points and haven’t been drawn but I’ve also been afraid to put in for the Trophy and Non Trophy simultaneously.
I’ve thought about this same issue…. It’s a heck of a drive.
I did a trophy hunt once and it yielded 850lbs of meat. Back then I shipped FedEx and was only like $800
I’m sure now it would be triple that or more


I was planning on driving, however, and taking my time

I am marooned at only 73 lately, homebound with caregiving.
I'll say, never miss an opportunity for a nice road trip.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. The cost of driving with fuel and 2 nights hotel is about $925. Airfare and 4x4 rental truck is about $1,000. I save the $2,000 in shipping if I drive. It may be worth the $2,000 not to spend 4 days on the road or pay excess baggage for a couple of coolers on the plane as Michael suggested. It may be wise to decide about a week before the hunt when I know what the weather will be? Still pondering.

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleDon:
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. The cost of driving with fuel and 2 nights hotel is about $925. Airfare and 4x4 rental truck is about $1,000. I save the $2,000 in shipping if I drive. It may be worth the $2,000 not to spend 4 days on the road or pay excess baggage for a couple of coolers on the plane as Michael suggested. It may be wise to decide about a week before the hunt when I know what the weather will be? Still pondering.

Well. The Custer Hunts are late in the year so it should be good and cold. I would think that would be in your favor.
I shipped one in styrofoam boxes…each about 50 lbs I think.
Was good and frozen still with ice packs in there and of course it was hard frozen before shipping

Don, I sent you a message!

Fly. Get some fish boxes and fly the frozen meat home with you. Make sure the boxes are 49 pounds or less. And make sure you don't book Delta Connection as you can only check 4 extra bags. On Delta you can check up to 10 bags- cost is $150 for the 3rd bag and $200/ea for bags 4-10. You are going to have 350 lbs of boned meat- maybe less. Have someone fly with you and you can use their checked bag allotment and have company. Right now flights out of Dulles on Delta are $208/person roundtrip. Play it right and you will have $800ish in extra baggage fees and $450 in flights for 2 people.

If you do drive, just bring the quarters/boned home and cut them local. Give the meat some time to relax and age a little.

how about flying out, one way, renting a truck or van, and driving home with the meat. Buy some inexpensive styrofoam coolers for the meat.

it would have to be cost effective to make sense but it would save you the long ride out.

i learned the from a couple guys pig hunting
they bought a 150 freezer threw it the back of their truck with a small generator cheaper than a super cooler or two and usable later losing any bison meet would me cry if you can't save the meat let me know abd i'll drive out pay the butch and enjoy it

If you're going to drive back with it, don't freeze it, just get it chilled. If it's in paper, put something (I use foam or some plastic grates I have) between meat and ice and a sheet of cardboard on top. Otherwise, what MC said.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
i learned the from a couple guys pig hunting
they bought a 150 freezer threw it the back of their truck with a small generator cheaper than a super cooler or two and usable later losing any bison meet would me cry if you can't save the meat let me know abd i'll drive out pay the butch and enjoy it

Damn… we may have jumped the Shark on that one
Seems extreme

quote:

they bought a 150 freezer threw it the back of their truck with a small generator cheaper than a super cooler or two

Seen it done many times by out of state hunters. Sell the cooler when you get home.

quote:

Originally posted by kda55:

quote:

they bought a 150 freezer threw it the back of their truck with a small generator cheaper than a super cooler or two

Seen it done many times by out of state hunters. Sell the cooler when you get home.

Yup - same here...

My hunting partner used to drive from Clearwater to Pinedale and back.
We'd get game cut, wrapped, and frozen in coolers.
Dry ice is available all the way across the country.

Even in Tejas...

I wonder if he got his Bison home yet?

Bag the 4 quarters wrap in a cheap plastic tarp, toss in the pickup bed or whatever frozen or cold and pile 15 bags of ice on top,,It will stay good for 4 or 5 days...

My latest option is buy a 5,5 cooler for under $200 and a long extension card, put it in your pickup bed and freeze the meat it will last from point A too B and you can use it every year, at night you may want to plug it in for a long stop You can freeze hinds or packaged meat..Does not hurt meat to freeze it, then then thaw it and butcher It when you have time. Ive done this many times every year for a number of years. simplified by life..

Questiions??