Traveling Hunter

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jerry46

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Need a consensus. I am taking my first mid-west rifle hunt this year at the age of 65. I will be hunting whitetail in Wisconsin. Living in Florida, I have taken out of state hunting trips before, but they have always been by car. This year I will be flying. I have two concerns. Do I take my rifle with me on the plane or ship it to my destination, and do I take one or two rifles? I have gotten numerous opinions, but a lot of these were from hunters that were never in this situation. They were just opinions. Not all though. I would like some insight from some of you hunters that travel to hunt. How do you handle getting your rifle or rifles to your destination? And how many rifles do you take? Some of my friends say,"in all the years you have been hunting, have you ever had a problem with your gun?" To be honest, I had one scope fog up 35 years ago (1976), and I still got the buck...... Any input would be appreciated.
 
I haven't flown to go on a hunt, but I have flown to several shooting competitions. Personally, I would just bring it on the plane with you. It's not too difficult (not much different than checking any other bag) and you can bring your ammo with you if you want to use hand loads. I personally don't trust the mail to get there on time, but that's just me.

As far as bringing a backup rifle, I'd say it really depends on what kind of hunt it is. If this is a once in a lifetime type of hunt, I would say you probably should bring a second rifle. If not, it probably doesn't matter. But if you're bringing a double rifle case anyway, you might as well throw in a second rifle. It's not like there's any extra paperwork :D (honestly, the only paperwork I've had to fill out was a little business card type thing with my name and phone number/address that goes in the case anyway)

If you do fly with it, I recommend a double gun case that looks like something other than a gun case (sorry, but everyone knows that you've got a gun if you walk around the airport with a pelican case). A good example would be an Americase break down shotgun case with the case cover. I've actually had people ask what kind of guitar I have and always get puzzled looks when I say it's a Citori XT :neener: .

Also be prepared for it to come out on the luggage carousel like it were any other piece of luggage. The airlines say that they will pull it and have it for you to pick up behind a counter, but I have never had that happen to my guns.
 
I wouldn't buy a second gun for the trip but if I had a second gun that would be appropriate I would bring it along. No downside that I can see, and it could rescue your trip if something unforseen happens.

Checking guns on an airplane isn't hard at all--the airlines deal with it all the time. One or two makes no difference. Just make sure you have a hard case with non-TSA locks.
 
Where about in Wisconsin are you going to hunt? I haven't missed a Wisconsin deer hunt in 35 years. As far as your rifle is concerned, if you are going to all that trouble to get up here, I would bring two. All you have to do is trip over a dead fall and knock your scope out of kilter or break an extractor and you'll be far from home trying to scrounge another rifle. I have taken a few out of state trips and always bring a backup. I've never needed it but I fear that the time I don't bring one, something will go wrong for sure. You know how life works. Besides, you might be the one lending out a rifle when your buddy drops his.
 
I would:

1. Bring rifle(s) on the plane. Its not difficult. You just declare them at checkin and fill out a small tag to go in the case.

2. Bring two rifles. I have had a rifle problem. I had a backup rifle. I bring a backup even on in-state hunting. Two is one and one is none.

JMHO
 
I travel extensively with guns both domestically and internationally. It's a simple deal domestically. First make sure you have a no kidding travel case for your beloved rifle. I HIGHLY recommend the Pelican case which is also re branded and called the Travel Vault by Browning. Anything of lesser quality is begging for a damaged rifle. And don't think for a second that the bag monkey handling your case gives two poops about your luggage. The days of customer service in the airlines went away a long time ago.

Make sure your rifle is very snug with no room to move. The Travel vault comes with a closed cell foam insert that you simply cut out to fit your rifle and bolt handle and it will be as snug as a bug in a rug. And this is the most important thing. DO NOT TRAVEL With your bolt in the rifle. Take it out of the rifle and put it in the case with your rifle. A bolt handle in a rifle while checked baggage is a sure way to break a rifle in half. It creates a pressure point when the case has a load of bags on top of it in the cargo hold and can and will cause your rifle to arrive busted in half at the pistol grip. I've seen it too many times!

Second, shipping your ammo. All airlines require your ammo limit to be under the international maximum dangerous goods allowance of 11 lbs total per passenger. That's about 90 or so loaded 180 gr .30-06 shells. Your ammo must be in it's original package or in an fiber or plastic bullet case. Like reloading boxes. Basically it can't be loose or stored in magazines or wrapped up in paper and tied together with a string or some such.

The best thing to do is get on your chosen airlines web site and look up their regulations before traveling. Then, and this is important, make sure and print a copy of the their regulations and stick that in your pocket the same goes for the TSA regs. That way if get a dolt or worse an animal right or anti gun idiot at the ticket counter who wants to give yuo guff about checking your rifle all you have to do is pull out the regs and show them to said idiot argument OVER. Check your rifle case and proceed to your hunt. SHACK one for the good guys!

When you are checking in you MUST declare that you have a firearm. Different airlines handle it differently but most if not all are NOT allowed to open your case or have you open it at the ticket counter. There may be a hold over or two however. Most now days will call the TSA who will come over and take you and your rifle to a private place and either x-ray your case or open it in a private room and check it to make sure it's unloaded. They will then walk it and you back over to the ticket counter and check it to your destination.

Every airline and every airport is slightly different. Some require you to lock your ammo in with your rifle some require you to have it locked in your checked luggage. Once again make your life simple and look it up before the day of departure on your airlines web site, it will be there.

Lastly DO NOT PLACE TSA locks on a gun case. That is very specifically stated in the TSA regs. Get a set of matched key master locks put one key in your pocket and one in your carry on bag. The TSA will not ask you for your keys they can get the case open if they need to.

Here's a horror story for you. If the TSA needs in your case and can't get the lock open. They will cut your locks and then not check your case through as it is no longer locked. I have a SOLUTION for that scenario that I use. Simply place another set of unlocked locks in your case with a note that states. "Dear TSA personal if you have been forced to cut my primary locks please use this set to re lock the case. I have a spare key on my person. Thank you for your vigilance in protecting America's air travelers." ( a little sugar and ego boost goes a long way with these folks.) Just saying.

That has saved my butt big time once on a trip to Africa. Just make sure you have a spare key for your emergency locks with you and DO NOT leave a spare set with the locks in the case. Nobody but YOU is allowed posses a key to your rifle case once it is checked into the sterile security area.

I hope that helps.
 
Good idea on putting a extra set of locks inside your case.

I usually travel with one rifle but insist on having two scopes. I use Leupold QR rings and bases on just about all of my guns. I sight in both scopes and keep the 2nd in my rifle case. Also a Pelican as suggested above. I never travel with a bolt in the gun just make a nice little opening in the foam all its own.

I have never broken a rifle but I have seen scopes knocked out of whack. A good friend of mine fell and busted his scope. So he headed to town one lost day of hunting trying to find a replacement that was worth a darn. Not to many choices in small towns on Sunday. He ends up buying a low quality scope and has problems sighting it in. He limped through the hunt instead of enjoying himself.

If I happen to fall and break a scope I have a back up. Flip two levers remove damaged scope. Replace, flip two levers, fire a few insurance shots and I am back in business.

Since I use two identical scopes that do not loose zero when removed and replaced. Eye releif does not have to be set, level does not have to be set. Rings don't have to be put on and torqued down.

I use this setup with my Encore rifles I can take one scope and move it on and off 9 barrels if I want. Nothing changes between them. Sight height, eye releif, ring distance it is all identical. Love this system.
 
Whenever we hunt out west we mail all of our gear including ammo a couple of weeks before. We fly with our guns. We bring one extra rifle for the group and it did come in handy a couple of years ago. One of the guys in our group had his gun misfire on a large buck and we determined it was a problem with the firing pin on the rifle. Luckily we had the extra rifle and he went on to kill a very nice mule deer the next day.
 
Since the consensus of the internet gurus is, that there are no deer left in the state of Wisconsin, bringing a rifle is not really a necessity. According to those same experts, the only animals left in the state are wolves, dirty politicians and DNR officials that can't count. Still, I refuse to ride my scooters at night here in the Badger state for fear of hitting one(deer that is). I wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy your experience here. Whereabouts are you planning to hunt?
 
I've had two experiences; and i won't fly with a gun again because of them.

Like when they cleared everything; but called me back from the gate....i reopened the case, TSA guy picks up my M70, and promptly dropped it, scope first onto the lip of the metal case. Sayonara Leupold! ..missed my flight too!

It's a good thing Leupold is a much better company than TSA!

Another time i was charged an egregious amount for my case being "oversized luggage."

Seriously, I'd Fedex the rifle and ammo, and knives, etc. a week beforehand.
The Fedex was cheaper than the oversized luggage fee, and my case doesn't get as many dings and dents in it.
 
I fly out to Montana most years and hunt. I have shipped my gear more often than not, but carried the rifle on the plane. Last year I shipped the rifle UPS to myself care of the outfitter along with my gear. I have to say it's nice not to have to mess with a bunch of stuff at the airport. It's about a wash cost wise as the airlines charge you for extra baggage. The TSA is not a big deal. You do have to unlock the case and let them put the orange tag in there. Ammo in the gun case is OK with TSA in a package made for the purpose.. Ammo in the gun case UPS is not OK. You put the ammo in another parcel with your gear. I have never carried but one rifle. A rifle can pick a bad time to malfunction, but that's a pretty remote possibility.
 
I have fallen on a hill and landed on the rifle. It hurt, but hurt more to see the bell on my FIL's rifle bent off at an angle, with a big rock scar down the side of it.

The scope had QD rings, and the rifle had iron sights. We did not even return to camp, just threw the busted scope in the backpack and carried on.

I wish I could say that I got my bull, but we never saw one that day.
 
For those of you that asked, I am going to Buffalo County, Wisconsin and it could be the trip of a life time.
It is strange. I asked the same question on a different forum and almost all the responses were for me to ship the rifle either UPS or Fedex. As for shipping, most of you that said, indicated the Pelican cases. I was about ready to buy an SKB double rifle case. What are your opinions of that case? Also, I am going with my son and after reading alll the comments, I am leaning towards taking three rifles between us.
Thanks to all of you that responded.
 
Pelican and SKG cases are very good but of the two, I'd go for the Pelican. The case I use for travel is an aluminum 2 rifle Strong Case.

I take extra locks for my case (get one of the 5 padlock sets at Lowe's or Home Depot) but have never had to use them. When I check my guns, I wait at the TSA area until the inspection is complete. Once they've inspected the case and put their stamp on it, they really should never have to open it again.

The weight limit for ammo is 11 lbs. which should be enough but I've never had anyone weigh it.

I always take at least 2 guns.
 
I also live in FL, & hunted CO last year... was so scared of attempting to take my rifle on the plane, that i made arrangements so i did not have to... A group of us drove out, (30 hour trip), then flew back into JAX AP, the gun made the trip back on the ground, and it was about 10 days later before i received my rifle back, but no hassle.


Thanks for asking this question, I was curious about how difficult it would be as well.
 
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