The last time I flew (mule deer in NV two weeks ago) the TSA folks went through my checked bags and took a bunch of stuff. They took about 10 random things like a really cool tactical flashlight (worth good money) and a small really old used pocketknife (worth very little). The problem was that none of it should have been taken. "Taken" might be the wrong word because maybe they didn't do it on purpose but instead just gave the gear to someone else because the TSA people are sloppy. In my bag I found somebody else's protein bars. To be clear none of what they took was supposed to be taken by the TSA folks.
But, I also had a little Ziploc with essentials such as fire starter, matches, water purifying pills, hunting license, and spare bowstring (recurve). They took the Ziploc and I had to buy all of the stuff again. This took valuable hunting time and meant that I couldn't hunt until I went to a hunting license office to buy another copy of my license.
So from now on I'll always bring my optics and all of the important stuff (including license, maps, and anything else that is difficult to buy again) in my carry on bags.
Of course, I've filed a claim with TSA and haven't heard anything yet.
Please share your airline travel tips below so the friendly skies won't hurt so much.
I hope you have some success with your claim....
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"ALWAYS" keep any important paperwork on your person. Never put anything valuable and hard to replace in your checked baggage if possible. When I fly to hunt my carry on is stuffed with optics, cameras, flahlights and other valuable items.
They allow you one lighter.....if they find a couple they take them....thats the kind of stuff we deal with....
I think the most important take away is when you have anything else in your bowcase just assume they won't repack properly...so bow cables ans strings with sharp objects against them is a distinct possibility.
I like the Sitka nomad and my bow is in the bottom in its own soft case.
Thanks, I feel better now !