Travel

[BrianKY]

What does everyone do for travel when going for an out of state hunt? I am weighing all of my options and situations. I will have a suitcase, my backpack, and my bow. I have considered flying but I would have to pay an extra fee to check three bags and dont trust the airlines with my bow. Also, I will be taking a handgun and they like to slap a big neon sticker on your bag to let the world know there is a gun inside. I dont like that idea. Also, if I fly and I am lucky enough to get an elk, what then? How do I go about getting my elk from Colorado to Kentucky?

I have considered the train. I could drive to Indianapolis or Chicago and pick up the train. It would drop me off just a few miles from my buddy's town so that would work out great instead of him having to drive two hours to Denver's airport. It would be roughly a 22 hour train ride and is the cheapest option. But I dont know the policies on weapons, checking bags, etc and I also dont know how much room or how comfortable a train is for someone who is 6'3.

I have also considered driving, which is the most expensive option, especially if I rent a car. I just feel like if I drive both ways I would waste a lot of potential hunting time by stopping somewhere for the night.

Right now I am leaning towards the train out there and driving home. I am hoping to go out the same weekend as another friend of mine (the brother of my friend in CO) so maybe we could drive to Kentucky together and he could go home to North Carolina from Kentucky.

What do you guys and gals do when traveling? Has anyone taken the train?

[Elkduds]

I'd give the train serious consideration. Also find out what their policy on dry ice is, in case you need to ship meat. where in CO would you get off? Train stops in Denver of course, Fraser, Glenwood, Grand Junction, not sure where else?

[Mnbowhunter]

I drive if I get one down then I don't have to ship it. I've never checked prices but I'd think driving would be cheaper than flying . Or find someone to go with

[Bowhunter]

I drive. I look at it this way. I would drive 90 miles each day round trip to work. So 900 miles in two weeks. That is about half of my gas money I would spend anyway. 1000 miles at 17mpg at 2.60 dollars per gallon. Only 150 extra. I am not going to worry about that little extra. I am going hunting.

[Brendan]

I drove by myself Boston to Montana. 5000 miles round trip, and I'll do it again this year. Expensive but comparable when you add up flights, baggage, rental car, etc... I am working on trying to get a friend to join me this year...

This is for two weeks off, not one, I don't think a 1 week trip would be worth it driving. I left the east coast Friday afternoon and was hunting Sunday at 3:00. Hunted 10 full days, started home on a Thursday afternoon, was home on Saturday.

[Indian Summer]

How about few more details. Where are you hunting? Guided hunt? Do you plan to take all of the meat home? if you get a bull what do you plan to do with the head... euro, shoulder mount, and will you have that done where you live or by someone out where you are hunting?

[TENFIVE]

x2 driving from Massachusetts to Colorado! 2015 will be our second trip. We drove out in 2012 and the money and even time aren't that much different, if you can share the driving with at least one another person.

Three of us drove on the first trip and we made it from Western Massachusetts to Gunnison in 31 hours. Of course, we only stopped for gas, food and bio-breaks. I like the flexibility of what gear you can bring and avoiding the hassle of being at the mercy of the airlines, especially if you have meat and horns to bring home. Flying from Hartford to Denver or smaller airport closer to the mountains takes a whole day anyway. Then you have to rent an SUV or truck to get to your hunting area.

When you add it all up, it makes the most sense for us to drive. For one person, maybe flying would be the best option, but not without hassles and fees. If you fly, ship as much gear to your buddy a week ahead of time via UPS or USPS.

Good luck!

[Bow4me]

What's the airlines policy on carrying on a pack mule?

[Fridaythe13th]

Huge fan of driving. 3 of us jump in a truck drive straight through 21 hours one way Minnesota to Idaho. Maybe $700 in gas. We have the truck full of Food, clothes, freezer, frame pack, backpack, bow, target and much much more. Your buddy must have a lot of stuff if you only have 2 bag and a bow.
If it works find someone in your area and see if he/she wants to go elk hunting. I think you can rent a truck with unlimited miles for around $600 gas $700 divide buy 2 not so bad. You have your independence, see the country side and bring home a elk if you have too.
Everybody situation is different if all you have to do is grab your bow and some clothes and go hunting maybe the train is best, never done it. If your as tired as I am on the way home a 20 hour nap sounds pretty good.

[ak32]

I've taken the train from CO to illinois before, plan on it being very slow and late every time. I believe the train was 12-14hrs late getting into Chicago from when I left from Denver. If you get a sleeper car you might as well drive as the cost will probably be the same. If you just get a regular seat, it's pretty uncomfortable and hard to sleep. That one trip 7yrs ago will probably be my last on a long distance train trip, unless I decide to splurge and get the sleeper.

[Indian Summer]

One quick fact: There are dozens of advantages to driving and it doesn't cost any more. There is only 1 advantage to flying and that is... or might be, saving time. There are lots of disadvantages to flying though that's for darn sure.

[Lefty]

,.... There is only 1 advantage to flying and that is... or might be, saving time. ,,,,,,.

[Elksniper1]

Drive is my recommendation also! Especially with it being your first trip! when I solo drive I just use rest stops or fuel stations for rest when/if needed! Way cheaper than a hotel! And when you remember ,on the long drive ,exactly what you forgot not a problem to stop in a town to purchase the item!

[six]

I flew out one year and rode back with my group. Left Grand Rapids, Mi at 7am and was in camp just outside of Gunnison at 2 pm. I could have hunted that evening, but opted to let my body acclimate. I feel doing it this way was the best of both worlds. I wasn't tired when I got to camp from the 24 hour drive. I still got to enjoy the scenery on the ride home. only drawback was spending the extra $400 for a plane ticket.

[BrianKY]

How about few more details. Where are you hunting? Guided hunt? Do you plan to take all of the meat home? if you get a bull what do you plan to do with the head... euro, shoulder mount, and will you have that done where you live or by someone out where you are hunting?

Sorry! I am headed to Winter Park. A friend lives there and the train stops in Fraser (or maybe it is Frazier.) My "guide" is my friend who has lived there for three years now and we are doing an OTC hunt and backpacking in for probably 4 or 5 days. If I am lucky enough to get an elk, I plan on taking some meat home but not all of it. I would obviously leave some with him and I am sure there will be other people who help along the way. If I get a bull I am getting a shoulder mount. I have considered bringing it with me if I drive it or also leaving it with a taxidermist out there and having my friend bring it home when he comes. He drives home once a year in the spring. I figured the cost would be very expensive to have the mount shipped to me. I have a lot of options to weigh, just glad I can get some insight from the board!

[CurlyTail]

My son rides that Amtrak route from Chicago the last two years. Usually about an hour slow. Kind of relaxing if you are travelling by yourself. As long as you have wheels and a buddy at the other end you should be great.

[BrianKY]

My son rides that Amtrak route from Chicago the last two years. Usually about an hour slow. Kind of relaxing if you are travelling by yourself. As long as you have wheels and a buddy at the other end you should be great.

Are you familiar with their policies on weapons in bags? I havent called them yet but couldnt find anything on their website.

[Wyo67]

Drive.

You don't trust the airlines with your bow/handgun (I wouldn't either...), why would you trust them with your once in a lifetime trophy elk?

Check the Amtrac webpage on prohibited items in checked baggage. Archery equipment is not permitted, so add shipping all your archery equipment to CO to that cost.

If you're planning on leaving it a taxidermist in CO, what if it's not ready when he comes home in the spring? I haven't had one mounted, but I think it may take longer than 7-8 months for it to be ready, depending on the taxidermist.
You may save a couple hundred dollars by flying or taking the train, but once you tag your elk you're going to spend more than that getting it back. Using United Airlines as an example:
- $150 service fee for antlers (plus any excess baggage fee and as aircraft load permits). In other words, they may not fly with you. Antlers cannot exceed 120 inches (L+W+H) or they will not be accepted. Skull must be cleaned/wrapped and tips protected.
- $150 service fee for dry ice to get your meat back.

[Wyo67]

http://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-items

Amtrak website listing prohibited items.

[BrianKY]

http://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-items

Amtrak website listing prohibited items.

Wow. Crazy they allow firearms to be checked but not archery equipment. I wonder why. Looks like I will be driving.

[Wyo67]

http://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-items

Amtrak website listing prohibited items.

Wow. Crazy they allow firearms to be checked but not archery equipment. I wonder why. Looks like I will be driving.

Yeah... Scratching my head too. Really Amtrak?

[Indian Summer]

You could ship all of your gear home including your bow. But not a handgun and the fact is you don't need one of those. That way you can get the perishables (meat) home on the plane without paying for extra baggage. it's not like you'd have any downtime either because your friend could do it for you if you were tight on time.

BUT... driving as most will tell you is the way to go. No limitations on anything. You can take anything you want, bring your rack home... and not have any schedules to worry about. Ever stand in an airport and find out your weapon is a thousand miles away while they tell you "We are doing our best to track it down for you sir"? I have. Think about that for a minute or two.

You don't have your hometown listed on your profile but I Google mapped Louisville KY to Fraser Co. Just over 17 hours. I can drive that in one day. But even if you drove from 8 am to 10 pm leaving 5 hours for the next day you'd be better off. 6 am to 11 pm would get you there. If I could be to my hunting grounds that fast I would not even begin to consider an alternative to driving which puts you at the mercy of others. It takes me 26 hours to the west side of Wyoming and 32 to the west side of Montana and I have never flown. One time many moons ago my brother and I flew to Denver to rent a rig and drive up to Medicine Bow Wyoming for mulies and antelope. His rifle never made it! it sure is easier to learn from others mistakes than from your own. In short: Control your own destiny!

[BrianKY]

You could ship all of your gear home including your bow. But not a handgun and the fact is you don't need one of those. That way you can get the perishables (meat) home on the plane without paying for extra baggage. it's not like you'd have any downtime either because your friend could do it for you if you were tight on time.

BUT... driving as most will tell you is the way to go. No limitations on anything. You can take anything you want, bring your rack home... and not have any schedules to worry about. Ever stand in an airport and find out your weapon is a thousand miles away while they tell you "We are doing our best to track it down for you sir"? I have. Think about that for a minute or two.

You don't have your hometown listed on your profile but I Google mapped Louisville KY to Fraser Co. Just over 17 hours. I can drive that in one day. But even if you drove from 8 am to 10 pm leaving 5 hours for the next day you'd be better off. 6 am to 11 pm would get you there. If I could be to my hunting grounds that fast I would not even begin to consider an alternative to driving which puts you at the mercy of others. It takes me 26 hours to the west side of Wyoming and 32 to the west side of Montana and I have never flown. One time many moons ago my brother and I flew to Denver to rent a rig and drive up to Medicine Bow Wyoming for mulies and antelope. His rifle never made it! it sure is easier to learn from others mistakes than from your own. In short: Control your own destiny!

Thank you all for your input. I went to CO last May but only took my fly reel and that fit fine in my suitcase so I flew. I also had a free one way flight so that helped make my decision for me, this time not so much. I am 98% driving it. I can leave Friday after work and drive 6 PM until midnight, get four or five hours of sleep at a rest stop, and be in CO by 5 PM Saturday. Same thing on the way home. Leave Saturday afternoon, be home Sunday night. I am hoping I can go out at the same time as his brother and convince him to drive with me. Then we can drive straight through and not have any issues. Getting there without my weapon does sound pretty awful.

Also, if it was a guess, good job on Louisville. I live in Shepherdsville, KY which is about 10 miles south of Louisville, but work in the city. Taxes are cheaper outside of the county lines

[Fridaythe13th]

I love this web site, what other site would have people (Indian Summer and others) help get someone elk hunting. Google map drive time to help out a fellow hunter. Nice job