The Real Cost of Shipping Elk Meat Home After the Hunt

Getting an elk is thrilling, but shipping the meat and antlers back home can be a major headache. As an out-of-state DIY hunter, I learned the hard way how expensive and tricky transporting an elk harvest can be. Through painful trial and error I’ve figured out some strategies to make shipping meat and antlers more affordable. Here’s what I wish I knew before that first successful hunt.

Why Elk Meat Shipping Costs Are So High

Compared to a whitetail deer, an elk is gigantic. A large bull can yield over 500 pounds of boneless meat. Then factor in the weight of the antlers, cape, and other parts, and you’re looking at 700+ pounds of material to transport. Here are the key reasons elk shipping is expensive:

• Bulk and weight – All that meat and bone takes up a massive amount of space and weighs a literal ton More weight equals higher shipping carrier fees.

• Perishability – Meat must be kept frozen or near-frozen at all times during transit. This limits shipping options to just air and expedited ground.

• Special handling – Game meat and animal parts require special handling, inspection and packaging.

• Packaging costs – Meat must be professionally cut, wrapped, frozen and packaged in insulated containers. Materials add up fast.

• Distance – The longer the transit time, the higher the shipping cost. Cross-country transport is especially expensive.

• Limited competition – Not many shipping companies specialize in transporting wild game. Less competition leads to inflated pricing.

Key Factors That Affect Elk Shipping Costs

Several variables determine how much you’ll spend to ship meat and antlers home. The major factors are:

• Meat weight – More meat equals a higher overall cost. But up to a point, you get economy of scale per pound.

• Transit time – Overnight and 2-day air is far pricier than 5-7 day ground shipments.

• Packaging – Commercial foam shippers, cardboard boxes, and amount of dry ice all affect cost.

• Distance – Cross-country transport is more expensive than regional shipping. Exact mileage impacts cost.

• Carrier – UPS, FedEx and specialty carriers have varying rates. Compare options.

• Season – Peak hunting season leads to higher demand and prices. Off-season is cheaper.

• Discounts – Loyalty programs and corporate accounts offer lower shipping rates.

• Additional fees – Fuel surcharges, residential fees, and oversize fees drive up the total bill.

Cost Comparison of Shipping Options

The best strategy depends on your specific situation. Here’s an overview of popular methods and typical costs:

Checked Baggage on Commercial Flights

• Cost – $25-$150 per cooler in baggage fees

• Speed – Arrives same day as your return flight

• Limits – Airline size and weight restrictions on checked baggage

• Pros – Convenient, allows you to accompany the meat home

• Cons – Baggage fees add up quick, limited capacity

Driving Meat Home

• Cost – $200-$1000 for fuel and vehicle wear & tear

• Speed – Multi-day drive depending on distance back home

• Limits – Your vehicle’s hauling capacity and your time availability

• Pros – No baggage restrictions, cheaper for large loads

• Cons – Major time commitment, have to drive back

Shipping via Parcel Carrier

• Cost – ~$200-$500 to ship 500 lbs of meat regionally

• Speed – 1-5 days depending on service selected

• Limits – Carrier restrictions on weight per package

• Pros – Reliable transit times, some temperature control

• Cons – Slow ground transport, expensive for big loads

Using Specialty Meat Shippers

• Cost – ~$3000 to ship 500 lbs of meat cross-country

• Speed – As fast as overnight express

• Limits – Depends on the specific carrier

• Pros – Designed for shipping wild game meat

• Cons – Very expensive, especially for long distances

Tips to Minimize Elk Meat Shipping Costs

• Bone out the meat to reduce weight and volume.

• Split the load – ship high value cuts like steaks overnight, and less valuable meat ground/surface ship.

• Use commercial foam shippers instead of cheap coolers to maximize insulation.

• Book off-peak season rates whenever possible for the best deals.

• Take advantage of loyalty programs and corporate discounts offered by carriers.

• Ship to a business address to avoid residential surcharges if possible.

• Consider shipping just the antlers and donating the meat locally to reduce costs.

Should You Drive or Fly with Elk Meat?

For DIY hunters traveling long distances, flying with elk meat as checked baggage or driving it back in a vehicle are the two most cost-effective options. Which method works out cheaper depends on several factors:

• Number of coolers / total meat weight needing transport
• Airline baggage fees
• Driving distance and your vehicle’s MPG
• Number of hunters splitting the meat transport costs
• Value of your lost time driving 20+ hours back home

Generally, flying with the meat is cheaper and faster for one or two coolers worth of meat. But for transporting 200+ pounds, driving often saves substantially on costs. The extra time commitment of driving is worth it to me for keeping hundreds of pounds of delicious elk meat!

Don’t Let Shipping Headaches Ruin Your DIY Elk Hunt

While tricky, with careful planning and packing you can transport your elk harvest home affordably. Getting the meat and antlers back is all part of the rewarding DIY elk hunting experience. Following the tips above will help ensure you don’t end up paying more for shipping than your entire hunt!