Bringing Bear meat back to USA

[jimbo1972]

I am hunting Saskatchewan for black bear in May. I am flying and have questions on the best way to get the meat back.
My initial thought is to ship my luggage back after the hunt and check the meat as luggage. Any recommendations?

 

[DPHunter4570]

I've driven from Manitoba to the US many times bear hunting, obviously different than flying. Meat and hide are in a cooler, sometimes they "inspect" you sometimes they don't. You are supposed to stop and fill out a USDA form at the border. It's not a big deal at all driving.

Flying i have only done state to state with bear meat. I had the meat prepared in Maine so it was all prepped and sealed. I bought a cooler in Bangor on the way to the airport and just checked it as a bag. Meat was frozen when I got home. It definitely makes you have a ton of crap getting into the airport with luggage, gun/bow, now a cooler.

I would say that is how I would do it if I flew to Canada. I'm headed back this year but I'll drive. I would just buy a good cooler in town and check it as luggage. Hopefully, the camp has a freezer that your trophies can get a good freeze before you leave, I'm sure they do.

 

[Rem280]

Our guide in Saskatchewan froze the meat and gave us a big plastic tote. Checked it in and flew home with me on the plane. It was fine. Just have all paperwork in order and hopefully avoid flying thru Toronto.

 

[JimP]

Best thing that I can tell you is to talk to your outfitter, this isn't their first time having a US hunter that wants to take the meat home. And I am sure that they'll have local contacts to prep and freeze the meat along with containers that you can purchase.

 

[WyoBull]

When I hunted black bear in Northern Saskatchewan they told us we could not eat any of the bear or bring any meat home because they are full of worms. When they skinned them out, you could see the worms in the meat.

 

[pilar]

When I hunted black bear in Northern Saskatchewan they told us we could not eat any of the bear or bring any meat home because they are full of worms. When they skinned them out, you could see the worms in the meat.

I brought a bear back , cut up and frozen in a box by a local butcher
I probably never would bother with it again because yes they are very wormy and imo not very good table fair ( to each their own)
Very greasy and funky taste and smell, but I have brought back about 100lbs of fish and game meat per trip in a open container then inspected and taped shut to avoid any issues with the airline and fee’s

 

[Rem280]

When I hunted black bear in Northern Saskatchewan they told us we could not eat any of the bear or bring any meat home because they are full of worms. When they skinned them out, you could see the worms in the meat.

Worms add flavor. Bear meat is amazing. Cook well done

 

[Tanks]

I thought one could not bring meat through the US customs.

 

[pilar]

I thought one could not bring meat through the US customs.

Three of us just returned from Mexico with 100lbs of tuna and Dorado steaks a piece
Locally packed and flash frozen in a TSA approved container! But your mileage may vary depending on country of origin

 

[WyoBull]

Worms add flavor. Bear meat is amazing. Cook well done

I have had bear meat here in Wyoming years ago and yes it was good from what I remember and definitely greasy. Not sure if they are all wormy but from what I saw up in Northern Saskatchewan, not a chance I was going to eat it.