Can we currently fly from Canada to US with Caribou antlers and meat ? Would prefer not to drive 15 hours.
Thanks,

The simple answer is "maybe".

In the north hauling antlers and meat out is kind of a normal occurrence, but down in the US it is not. Airlines have all sorts of restrictions on packing antlers and meat. Meat is easier and as long as it is contained so as not to bleed on others luggage, it is not too big of a deal. Usually there are restrictions on weight and 75 pounds seems to be about max with most airlines.

Antlers are a problem with big commercial airlines. YOu need to check with the individual airlines on their restrictions. This is why most caribou and moose hunters choose to have antlers shipped through a local taxidermist near where they hunted to their residence or taxidermist at home.

Do some digging on this as it relates to you and the hunt you are going on. There are many variables depending on where you are going to hunt and where you live.

Cheers and have a good hunt.

I just came back from Newfoundland with my moose meat. Having my antlers shipped later

Eny,
How much meat were you able to fly with ?
I assume it was frozen in an ice chest ?
Thanks,

From Air Canada's website. Hope this helps.



Bounty is accepted as checked baggage.

Hunters require a permit to transport meat from Canada to the United States. Please visit the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website for more information.

Charges

If checked separately, bounty counts as one piece of baggage towards the maximum number of checked bags allowed by your fare type provided it does not exceed:
23 kg (50 lb) in weight, and
158 cm (62 in) in linear dimensions (height + width + length)
Additional checked baggage charges apply if:
bounty exceeds above size and weight limits, and/or
if your baggage count (item in this category + number of bags to be checked) exceeds the maximum number of items allowed by your fare type.
Packing instructions

Meat and game must be transported in a leak-proof container or wrapped in absorbent material and then placed in plastic bags inside waxed cartons. Plastic bags alone are not sufficient for transport.

Just got back from Quebec on caribou hunt and we took all of our meat back on the airlines without a problem.
We live near the canadian border in nothern Minn. so we took Westjet from Winnipeg to Montreal.
Getting taxidermy work done on the bou' so no antlers came back with us.
We took 3 caribou back (steaks, chops, burger') and it cost us a total of $225 in extra luggage fees. Had to fill out some paperwork at customs, but no big deal.
Only problem i could see is if you are connecting through on different airlines. Might get charged twice !!
Oh....it also depends on the number of bags you check. We went to the check in counter at Montreal with 9 bags total (2 of us). We were told that the LAW is maximum of 8 bags. Just took some meat from one box and split it between a couple of other boxes and issue solved.
** If you're flying Air Canada, they are going to charge you for your gun even if it's within the allowable baggage allowance !! Even if it's your only bag, you pay.....just because it's a gun...........total B.S. !!
That's why we chose Westjet........firearms are counted towards your allowable baggage.

quote:

Originally posted by Northman56751:
Just got back from Quebec on caribou hunt and we took all of our meat back on the airlines without a problem.
We live near the canadian border in nothern Minn. so we took Westjet from Winnipeg to Montreal.
Getting taxidermy work done on the bou' so no antlers came back with us.
We took 3 caribou back (steaks, chops, burger') and it cost us a total of $225 in extra luggage fees. Had to fill out some paperwork at customs, but no big deal.
Only problem i could see is if you are connecting through on different airlines. Might get charged twice !!
Oh....it also depends on the number of bags you check. We went to the check in counter at Montreal with 9 bags total (2 of us). We were told that the LAW is maximum of 8 bags. Just took some meat from one box and split it between a couple of other boxes and issue solved.
** If you're flying Air Canada, they are going to charge you for your gun even if it's within the allowable baggage allowance !! Even if it's your only bag, you pay.....just because it's a gun...........total B.S. !!
That's why we chose Westjet........firearms are counted towards your allowable baggage.

And that is why I always try to fly West Jet as well. I avoid Air Canada like the plague. Further north you have to fly First Air, Canada North....... they are pretty forgiving on things when compared to further south.

Air north is not even charging the rifle ....

Northman,
Which outfitter did you use ? Would you recommend ? Any comments about the experience would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Russ

Russ,

Go again........yes, in fact, i might try put a group together for next year depending on what happens with the whole tag allocation. I believe it was this last April that the Gov't. said next year (2014) would only be a 1 caribou limit, but i know that the outfitters are still working on them to make it possible to shoot 2. Not sure if that means taking an extra on a trophy fee basis or what, but they are still in talks with the Gov't. Natives aslo have a lot of say in this. I am waiting on the outfitter to try put something together.

As far as the hunt, the caribou weren't migrating like they usually do. All of the outfitters had this issue. Small waves of bou' would come through an area for a day or so, but that was about it. But......the outfitter did everything possible because of this!! In fact, a plane was flown into camp one evening to fly everyone out to a different area for a day hunt (can hunt/fly same day), but due to the weather, we couldn't. Pilot was stuck in our camp for 2 1/2 days. Weather was also bad for a lot of the season which all of the outfitters ran into. We actually got delayed a day going into camp because of this. Had rain, sleet, snow and high winds most days at camp.

On the hunt, I shot 1 caribou (holding out for a monster on the last one), my brother shot his 2 and we also called in a bl. bear which he shot. In the week we were at camp, 4 black bear were spotted. We saw one (shot), one group saw 2 (not interested), and on the last one, the guy had such heavy gloves on, he couldn't get his finger in to get the shot off !! Drove him nuts the rest of the hunt.........

Food...........excellent. I've been on 9 guided hunts and have to say that it was one of the best. Brother gained 4 lbs. on the hunt !!

Accomodations were nice and comfortable. Little cabins (probably 12 x 12) that slept 2 with oil heaters. Plywood walls and floors with a heavy tarp like roof. The only thing i could say that was a drawback was the tarp roof. With the heavy winds, they were pretty loud at night. Not that big of an issue though. Sounds like almost all outfitters have this type of cabin (tarp roofs).

Fishing ranges from o.k. to excellent depending on which camp you're at. When we went (1st part of Sept.), the season had closed, but you were still allowed to fish, but only catch and release (still have to buy a license).

Ptarmigan.........same thing here. Depends on which camp.

PM me with your number if you want to talk (phone).

**This hunt completed my Caribou slam**

Northman,
Which outfitter did you use ? I'm planning to use bow and arrow. Would you have been able to get into bow range ?
Was there an additional fee for the bear?
Thanks for your help,

Russ,

Sorry.....totally forgot about the outfitter. We hunted with Leaf River Lodge.

On getting into bow range. I would say yes on the caribou i shot as well as on the 2 my brother took.

Bear.....no additional fee, just the tag.

Thanks Northman