How to Fly with Bowhunting Gear

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Ethan Smith
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Video can you bring a bow on a plane

You’ve put in unsuccessfully for years, trying to draw a tag for your dream hunt. When you finally get that coveted tag in hand, make sure your hunt gets off to a smooth start. You’ve got to get there first. Learn all you need to know about flying with archery equipment well in advance of your flight.

If you do your homework and you’re proactive about complying with regulations, you shouldn’t have any trouble flying with archery gear. Most airlines permit you to fly with a bow and arrows, but it’s a good idea to call your airline for specific information and to learn if there are any size restrictions on your bow case.

According to Transportation Security Administration guidelines, your bow, arrows and hunting knives must be checked; they can’t be part of your carry-on baggage. There are no specific regulations requiring releases to be checked, but be aware that most airport security officials are unfamiliar with archery equipment and may mistake your release for a firearm part, given that it has a trigger, or even brass knuckles, depending on the release style. It’s best to keep it in checked baggage.

Because they don’t encounter archery equipment every day, some security agents may not know the rules as well as you do. Expect delays and have your facts in order to help the process go smoothly. Print out a copy of TSA regulations on archery equipment and carry it with you for added insurance.

Packing your bow properly not only helps things go smoothly at the airport, but it also protects your equipment. TSA regulations don’t require your bow to be in a hard-sided case, but using one is an excellent idea because baggage is often handled roughly. The only reason you might consider using a soft case is if your final destination involves flying in a bush plane where weight is a factor.

See also  .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire for Squirrel Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Squirrel Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for squirrel hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest squirrel. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the squirrel, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the squirrel in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a squirrel in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire within the ideal range of suitable calibers for squirrel hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is A GOOD CHOICE for squirrel hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Animal Species Squirrel Muzzle Energy 250 foot-pounds Animal Weight 1 lb Shot Distance 25 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire round is approximately 250 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male squirrel? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male squirrel is approximately 1 lb. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in squirrel hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for squirrel to be approximately 25 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the squirrel being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest squirrel - and to this question, the response again is yes, the .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire is A GOOD CHOICE for squirrel hunting. [Click Here to Shop .17 HMR Hornady Magnum Rimfire Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting squirrel to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 2 Comments Carl - Jul 04, 2024I am going to try 20 gr fmj ’s to minimize meat damage on squirrel , with the 17 hmr. Ricochet should not be greater than a .22 lr . Carl - Jul 04, 2024I am going to try 20 gr fmj ’s to minimize meat damage on squirrel , with the 17 hmr. Ricochet should not be greater than a .22 lr . Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

Your case must be locked. Most bowhunters buy a TSA-approved lock. TSA agents have universal keys that can open these locks. Your case will almost certainly be opened and inspected, and if you don’t have a TSA lock and aren’t there to open the case yourself, the lock could be cut. If you don’t want agents to access your case in your absence, ask if an agent can examine the case right at the ticket counter while you supervise, or wait to go through security until you’re sure your case has been inspected. Keep your key on your person at all times. Once inspected, your case should move through baggage without a hitch.

Pack your bow case to protect your gear. Use tie-down straps to secure your bow within the case. Stuff hunting clothes or other soft material around your bow, particularly around delicate sights. You may even consider wrapping your sights with foam or bubble wrap. Arrows should be stored securely in the case’s foam slits or in a separate arrow tube stored within the case. Broadheads should be removed from arrows and stored in a hard container inside the bow case. Also, package your hunting knife in a sheath or hard container and store it inside the case.

On the day of your flight, arrive at the airport well before your departure time in case you run into hassles. Most airlines charge fees for checked bags (and even more for oversized bags, which may apply to your bow case). One alternative is to ship your bow prior to your flight. You won’t have to deal with airport hassles, but you probably won’t save much money, either, and you still run the risk that your bow doesn’t make it to your destination. Plus, you’ll have to forgo a few days of shooting practice.

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When you reach your final destination, with any luck, your bow case will pop up into the baggage claim area as expected, but don’t be alarmed if you don’t see it right away. Sometimes large bags, or those that may be considered weapons, have to be picked up at the baggage claim office with a photo ID.

Flying internationally with a bow usually isn’t a problem, but some countries may restrict it, so check in advance. It’s a good idea to fill out Form 4457, Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad, ahead of time. That proves you owned the bow while in the United States, shielding you from paying tariffs upon your return. Carry your hunting license or archery organization membership card as well. Agents in other countries may not understand hunting and could think you are using your bow as a weapon. Having this paperwork on you makes you look more legitimate.

Here are some resources for further information:

TSA Provides Travel Tips for Hunting Season

https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2018/09/12/tsa-provides-travel-tips-hunting-season#:~:text=An%20assembled%20bow%20and%2For,prohibited%20in%20carry%2Don%20luggage.

TSA Travel Tips Tuesday: TSA Recognized Locks

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2014/02/18/tsa-travel-tips-tuesday-tsa-recognized-locks

Form 4457 – Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad

https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/form-4457-certificate-registration-personal-effects-taken-abroad

How to Travel with Archery Equipment

https://www.completeguidetoarchery.com/how-to-travel-with-archery-equipment/

Here’s a guide for flying internationally with archery equipment and some regulations by country:

http://www.airline-baggage-fees.com/sports/archery-equipment-bow-and-arrow/

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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