{"id":1026,"date":"2023-06-08T15:31:24","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T15:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=1026"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","slug":"how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/#How_to_Transport_Meat_Home_From_Your_Hunt\" >How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/#How_to_Transport_Meat_Home_From_Your_Hunt-2\" >How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/#Drive\" >Drive<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/#Fly\" >Fly<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/#Ship\" >Ship<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Transport_Meat_Home_From_Your_Hunt\"><\/span>How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Should you be so lucky this fall or <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/winter\/\">winter<\/a>, here are a few tips on <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"how to\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"387\">how to<\/a> transport meat home from your hunt.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Traveling to <a title=\"All About Hog Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"614\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a> is something I look forward to every year. The planning, the anticipation, the trip, and the camaraderie have combined to create some of the most memorable adventures of my life. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I especially enjoy <a title=\"Elk Roam West Virginia for First Time in 141 Years\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/elk-roam-west-virginia-for-first-time-in-141-years\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">years when I draw an elk<\/a> tag in a hard-to-get unit. It\u2019s not so much that I want (or need) another mount on my wall. Rather, it\u2019s the chance to harvest a whole lot of meat that my family, friends, and I will enjoy for at least the next year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maybe you\u2019ve been there before: you make a perfect shot on an elk, whitetail, or <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/mule-deer\/\">mule deer<\/a>. He goes down quickly. You\u2019re high fiving your <a title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/category\/hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> partner; taking pictures. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Then, the realization hits home that you have a lot of meat that needs to be transported home. Having a plan on <a title=\"Illuminated Reticle battery installation on your TRACT TORIC 34MM 4-25X50\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/illuminated-reticle-battery-installation-2\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"510\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how to<\/a> get that meat home from your hunt beforehand will save you a lot of headache later.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Transport_Meat_Home_From_Your_Hunt-2\"><\/span><b>How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are several ways to get meat home from your hunt regardless of whether you\u2019re driving or flying. If you\u2019re driving, consider coolers and dry ice. If a plane is carrying you to and from the hunt, you can check or carry on meat, according to the TSA. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Of course, if you\u2019re big-game <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"341\">hunting<\/a>, checking in a few coolers will likely be your best option, should you choose to go that route. There is also the shipping option, especially for those flying who use a processor near the area where you <a title=\"Where to Kill Boone &#038; Crockett Animals in the United States\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">killed the animal<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drive\"><\/span><b>Drive<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <a title=\"The Guide to a Good Road Trip\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/the-guide-to-a-good-road-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">road trip<\/a> can be a weary experience, especially on the way back. But for the price of a few tanks of gas, food, maybe a hotel room, ice and\/or a portable freezer, this is the most cost-effective method to transport meat home from the hunt.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> If you Google \u201cportable freezer,\u201d you\u2019ll find an array of options, most of which will fit nicely into the back of a pickup truck. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These can be plugged into a cigarette lighter with an adapter so that you\u2019ll never have to worry about ice. Heck, you could unload it and plug it back up in your garage for extra storage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The solid double roto-molded coolers we see everywhere are also great options. Wrap your meat well. Newspaper does the trick; it\u2019s a great insulator. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Put dry ice on the bottom of the cooler and pack your meat on top with another layer of dry ice over it. If you can, let the cooler sit in the cold for a day, or pack it with ice and close it. This will extend the longevity of the ice when you pack it with meat.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_1032\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1032\" style=\"width: 805px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TractOpticsCanada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1032\" title=\"How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Game-meat-and-grinder-1024x542.jpg\" alt=\"How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt\" width=\"805\" height=\"426\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1032\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-maximize-deer-hunting-season\/\">How to<\/a> Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fly\"><\/span><b>Fly<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re flying to the hunt, then you have two options for how to transport meat home from the hunt. You can fly with it, or ship it. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tsa.gov\/travel\/security-screening\/whatcanibring\/items\/fresh-meat-and-seafood#:~:text=Meat%2C%20seafood%20and%20other%20non,frozen%20when%20brought%20through%20screening.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to TSA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u201cMeat, seafood and other non-liquid food items are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the food is packed with ice or ice packs in a cooler or other container, the ice or ice packs must be completely frozen when brought through screening. If the ice or ice packs are partially melted and have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they will not be permitted. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You also can pack frozen perishables in your carry-on or checked bags in dry ice. The FAA limits you to five pounds of dry ice that is properly packaged (the package is vented) and marked.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The rules are straightforward. Like driving, a Yeti cooler or something similar that holds ice a long time is preferable. Have you ever watched an airline employee load bags on to the conveyor belt that puts them in the bottom of the plane? <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They are not gentle! A flimsy cooler or ice chest probably won\u2019t make it past your first leg of the flight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ship\"><\/span><b>Ship<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whether you fly or drive, there is always the option to ship meat home from the hunt. Perhaps you decide to use a local processor. Or maybe you don\u2019t want to deal with the hassle of checking a bunch of cargo onto an airline that may lose it anyway. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019ve driven, sometimes the road trip doesn\u2019t end with the hunt. Whatever your reason for not getting meat from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, shipping is a pretty reliable, if expensive, option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A meat processor will know how to get it to you safely. If you\u2019re going to pack and ship yourself, these <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsis.usda.gov\/wps\/portal\/fsis\/topics\/food-safety-education\/get-answers\/food-safety-fact-sheets\/safe-food-handling\/mail-order-food-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">guidelines <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">from the USDA are super helpful. They recommend overnight shipping, which will be costly. So put this expense into your plan. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And hey, should you leave the <a title=\"Binoculars for Turkey Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/binoculars-for-turkey-hunting\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"753\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a> with an unfilled tag, that\u2019s a few hundred bucks you could spend on a steak dinner or two on the way home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In essence, knowing how to transport meat home from your hunt is all part of the big-game <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-legend-of-the-winchester-model-70\/\">hunting<\/a> experience. These adventures sometimes take years to plan and one of the most important parts, getting meat home, is sometimes overlooked. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consider taking a few extra days which will allow you to make the trip by vehicle. If you\u2019re like us and live in the East, there\u2019s something special about breaking away from the urban barrier into the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains beyond.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt. Should you be so lucky this fall or winter, here are a few tips on how to transport meat home from your hunt.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12067,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2257],"tags":[2348,2460,2591,2613,2688,2797],"class_list":["post-1026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-fix-adjust","tag-antelope-hunting","tag-big-game-hunting","tag-deer-hunting","tag-elk-hunting","tag-how-to","tag-hunting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1026"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12068,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1026\/revisions\/12068"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}