So this Dec I’m traveling with the wife to Michigan to hunt my first ever high fence whitetail hunt for our 10 year anniversary.
I’ve got on American Airlines website and gathered most all of the info I need however I figured I would ask one particular question to those who have flown.

I own a Pelican rifle case airline approved in which I will be using. Ammo does it need to be in the rifle case with the rifle? Or can it be checked in with my luggage ?

Thanks

Check it in your luggage.

You can check the ammunition in your luggage if it's in the original packaging or in an ammo case, just can't be loose ammo. Or the easier thing to do is just put it in the rifle case since you're already declaring the rifle.

Good deal thank you for the response

Can have it in the Pelican. If you have magazines, ensure that they are unloaded.

This is the approach I just used for going to AK (American/Alaska) with no issues. I put the handholds in the Barnes boxes. I will use the same approach for when I go to NE for whitetail in November.

i also add extra padlock through handles.

Ammo can go inside rifle case (secured and in original packaging) or put the ammo in your other checked bag. Declare both with the airline, and you're good.

Didn't know the law had changed. The last time I traveled by air the ammo had to be carried in a separate container, with your checked clothes luggage being acceptable for that purpose.

Where the ammo goes depends on who you are flying with. At least the last time I flew to Canada, the ammo had to be in my checked bag and could not be in the case with the gun.

American was okay with it either way, but Air Canada made me move it during customs check in since I had additional flights inside the country.

^^^This

Yes. So might as well always put it in your checked bag and never have to think about it again.

Something else to consider. I always shipped my ammo ahead of me about a week before to the location I was going. I would get a delivery confirmation and know I was good on ammo. This way you don't have to worry about it. Going home, it would go back with me. If ammo is in your checked bag and it gets lost...

How well does that case protect your rifle meaning before you hunted when you checked your Zero was it still on?

Great idea !!!!!
Thanks Chad

I’ve been told to take ammo out of my luggage and put with my firearm, the on the way back be told the opposite with the same airline.

Yep, 'gotta be flexible...and always act polite and naïve. 'Never let on. Everything'll go smoother.

This Pelican has been used and abused and is still going strong. I flew from Phoenix to Seattle on American and Seattle to Fairbanks on Alaska. I checked my zero once I got to camp and it was spot on.

Since there can be inconsistencies between the airlines, airline personnel, and the TSA, I did bring an empty Pelican pistol case (in my checked gear bag) to put my ammo in if they complained. It wound up not being needed. I did put the 190 Bergers in the Barnes boxes so as to not have to deal with them potentially complaining about plastic ammo boxes.

This is the approach I've taken for hunting turkey in KS and various animals in TX (when not driving). I'll be doing the same when I hunt whitetail in NE this coming November.

Only thing I'll add is I've flown to MI once a year recently via AA and they typically go through Chicago. I have had more flights from Chicago to Traverse City get canceled than actually take off.

Chicago has some funny gun laws. Check into all that if you think there's some chance you might have to rent a car from Chicago and drive it like I've had to do before. I've heard rumors of issues trying claim a gun in Chicago instead of having it just moved to the connecting flight.

^^ This. In the ammo and firearms dealings I've seen, just follow whatever they want you to do. What each employee or company requires varies greatly. I've had issues with UPS, FedEX, and other companies in dealings with firearms and ammo shipping and transportation.

Don't forget gun has to be in a locked gun case. Make sure you have locks and are long enough to clear the holes in your case. I've flown lots of time without issue. Good luck