re: dead animals and guns on airplanes

There are specific rules for doing both things.

As Dave said you can travel with your gun as long as it's unloaded and you have an approved case. On a side note if you like you can also travel with I believe 10 lbs of ammo which in case of a shotgun is 4 boxes.

As far as traveling with game that isn't a big deal either, especially since you are not leaving the country. Buy an ice chest before leaving and you can transport your possession limit in waterfowl however they MUST have at least a wing on them still, so if you breast them keep one wing attached. Coming from Canada there is a form you must fill out correctly, I am 99% sure it's a 3-177, I DONT THINK (not sure) that this is required to transport waterfowl across state lines but check with the USFWS first.

All that being said it's pretty easy to transport gun and birds on a plane. If you still live in Washington Parish I'll be happy to meet you for a beer one day and go over some of it if it helps.