Bear Bums - Bear Hunting

In flying to a hunting site like Ketchikan, Alaska for our September black bear, deer and fishing hunt here are a few things to remember. The flying experience is usually completely out of our control. If I fail to give enough time to go through customs and transfer luggage from one airline to another I greatly increase the odds of a problem happening. If I pack inappropriately according to the airline rule, again, I’m asking for trouble.

The four of us are leaving Salt Lake City airport on September 5th and returning the 13th. I always think of leaving on a hunt like traveling to a foreign country and give myself at least two hours to get to the boarding gates. Now with extra security lines it may be longer.

Our original plan to fly to Petersburg, Alaska and float plane from there was changed for several reasons. The main reason being we couldn’t get ourselves to Petersburg or back to Salt Lake City in one day. The cost of an extra two days on top of the hunt is a big consideration for us. Not to mention the flight to Ketchikan, Alaska was $400-500 cheaper than Petersburg.

The adjustment to hunting the Prince of Wales Island of the coast of southern Alaska allowed us to fly to Ketchikan. This flight can be done in one day. Flights change all the time and next year it may be different, but that extra night in Seattle or elsewhere is costly in dollars and time.

The basic rules for carrying a firearm on a commercial flight are: (Remember each airline and or country can be a little different)

1. Rifle must be in a hard lockable case (I do not know about a revolver—but it will be way more strict)

2. The rifle must be unable to fire—bolt out or firing mechanism disabled.

3. At the airport check-in you must open the case and place a tag in it. So do not lock the case before it’s checked!

4. Carry the locks for the case with you so you can do the locking after check in.

5. Once checked in and the little form is on your case and your case is locked you will be escorted over to security with the rifle case to have it checked.

6. Security here can have you open the case if they want you to—I’ve never had to.

7. Ammunition must be packed separate from the rifle.

8. Ammunition must be in its original packaging (this can be a problem for a self loader). I always keep an extra ammo box to use for extra bullets I have. Remember this is the rule on the way home also.

In brief summary your gun is sitting in the case with the bolt out, not locked until check in. (you must have the locks with you).

Here are a few ways to cheat a little:

1. Use the rifle case for two rifles. It’s a piece luggage they don’t usually weigh and with several hunters you can double up. Four of us are going on this fall bear hunt but we’re only taking two cases.

2. I always take the foam padding out of the case and use clothes to fill it. If you do this make sure the case is full enough so the rifle doesn’t bounce around or hit the hard case at any point.

3. Do not pack any thing that is questionable in the case with the gun. NO AMMUNITION, no knives, sharpeners, no flash lights, JUST CLOTHES.

4. NO JOKING OR KIDDING ABOUT HUNTING, GUNS OR RELATED TOPICS IN AN AIRPORT. You do not want to miss your flight.

Remember, most of the people helping you at the airport will know very little about gun, ammo, or hunting. If you have to try and explain why you want to be an exception to the rules they know you’re toast! Give plenty of time for travel with firearms. The US is the strictest so when I’ve flown to Canada or overseas it has not been worse.

Your regular luggage has the same rules as always. 50 lbs per bag and I recently heard most airlines were only allowing one bag, so hunting and traveling may be more expensive now. Use your carry-on as a luggage carrier but remember the carry-on gets way more security checks so nothing but clothes. I usually carry my camera, binoculars and spotting scope in my carry-on. They weigh a lot and I don’t want them smashed around any more than I can help.

If your backpack is your carry on, it many times will not fit in a small airplane’s overhead bin. I’ve been checking it on right at the boarding of the plane. The airlines seem to like this and it doesn’t count as part of your luggage. Remember you will not have access to it during the flight.

P.S. Two years ago our luggage didn’t make it home with us. This included two green bear hides and the keys to my car. Keep your keys in your carry on. Do not have a knife hooked to your keys.

I do not enjoy traveling but I sure enjoy hunting all over the place and it’s worth the pain. GOOD LUCK!

Here is another traveling tip resource that I ran into on the web….should be useful for any hunter that needs to travel.