1. Texas non resident licen can be bought online. Normally people buy 7 days temp license.
2. You can check rifle in locked hard cover case with all major airline. Just mention firearm. Keep ammo in manufactor box inside the gun case is fine.
3. I just debone the meat and pack the meat in my check in baggage. So a 50lb limit normally can carry about 40lb pure meat. I would add some dryice too. Onetime my heavy medical styrofoam box dropped when I get them from conveyor belt at the destination. Blood dripped all over, not fun. And a women neaby called police. ^_^