Flying for a hunting trip

[MShillhunter]

I am about to go on my first hunting trip that I have to take a flight.  For the people that have flown for turkey hunting trips before, how do you get your fans, beards, and spurs back home?  I am not worried about the meat we will either give it to the guy taking us or give it to someone in town. 

[kjnengr]

Most of my turkey hunting trips have involved a plane.  What we have done in the past work great.  I have one of those jumbo cooler bags that are about $10 at Walmart, Sam's etc. like this...



We bring a dozen or so big ziploc bags that are big enough to fit the folded fan completely.  Each turkey gets a separate ziploc bag to hold the tagged feet/spurs, beard and folded fan.  After all the ziplocs are sealed and put in the cooler bag, put in a little ice to get it home.  Once it gets home you can put each ziploc bag in the freezer until you are ready to mount it.  The cooler bag is collapsible and doesn't take up much space but whoever has the most room in his bag gets to bring all the turkeys home.

[Blong]

Just treat them the way you would at home. Pack them in between your clothes in suitcase and go on home on fly day.

[tha bugman]

I eat the turkey before I leave and just put beard spurs and fan in checked bag....been fairly successful so far!

[ncwoodsman]

I eat the turkey before I leave and just put beard spurs and fan in checked bag....been fairly successful so far!

x2

[WW]

I put the fan in between cardboard and tape around it to protect the feathers, and put it in my carry on bag. I take a carry on bag specifically for my spurs, beards and fans. The tsa agent started laughing during my bag scan.....he said " A TURKEY FOOT"?

[ChiefBubba]

Pretty the same as these guy's. I've flown a whole goose back in my carry on bag once. That was hilarious, they called me back to the x-ray scanner and showed me the pellets in it. Small collapsible from Wally's world cooler is the way to go. I even got frozen meat back with them. Bubba

[MShillhunter]

Thanks guys.  Yeah i guess i was unsure how TSA would react to bird parts in our bags.  I imagine if you aren't flying from a different country it's not a big deal. 

[kjnengr]

Thanks guys.  Yeah i guess i was unsure how TSA would react to bird parts in our bags.  I imagine if you aren't flying from a different country it's not a big deal.

I've never had a problem.  Then again, the two airports that I have used are rather small and have a bunch of hunters come through during turkey season and have seen it all I'm sure.