Elk head on airline???
Elk
Me and a buddy are flying out to Colorado this September for our first elk hunt. Being optimistic here if we kill an elk we’re just gonna check coolers in as bags but does anyone know if I can bring elk head (cape, skull and horns) on United airlines? Thank you I’m advance
Your Colorado bulls will be so gigantic that you should consider chartering a plane to get them home. Especially if you're hunting OTC.
Seriously, airlines change policies constantly. I would call three times and talk to three different people at UA the week before you go. Get their names if possible. Then talk with someone at the airport when you check your luggage.
Unless you plan to have your massive bulls scored, you will be better off splitting the skull plates and nesting the antlers, wrapping them in cardboard and duct tape, and checking them as baggage if that is allowed by UA that week. Your capes can be shipped as baggage in a cooler as well. Check with your state to find out the regs on bringing in skull plates, etc, from CO, because some states are still freaking out about CWD.
Have a great hunt and good luck!
Consider Driving. It is my mode of transportation each year. Easy peasey.
You can also do what Lou said if you don’t split them, but you need to not have any blood visible or dripping, there needs to not be any points sticking out, and you need to get to the airport really early to have time for the special handling. And plan on paying for it.
I once saw a group of 4 guys at the Kotzebue airport board with all 4 of their caribou in a box that ended up being about 4’x4’x6’
I have bought capes many times, not sure what you mean by head. I assume Denver, they have seen this MANY times. Keep bags neat clean and looking PC. You should have no issues. Keep in mind carry on bags never get weighed that is typically where I put the cape. TSA examines it. BE NICE to everyone.
Keep in mind you can be right but if the person checking you in is wrong there are no "rule police" you can call. If you get the wrong person pointing out you are right is NOT going to help your case.
I have bought a dozen caps on United with zero issues, thousands of pounds of meat too.
I’m trying to figure out if I kill something I want to shoulder mount what’s the easiest way to get it to a taxidermist back in Virginia or should I just take it to one in Colorado
Lots of good taxidermist in Colorado. It would be a pain in the ass and or expensive to get a head back a year so from now.
I had a small MD horns and cape shipped home from Co. Cost me 175 if I recall back in 2022. Just for FYI.
I couldn't drive home with it due to CWD, me staying in a hotel and other issues. Just fyi.
Never fly to an elk hunt. You should plan on killing a 400 and having 400 pounds of meat and cape to bring back.
I'm from Indiana...so a bit closer to Colorado than you...but I've always drove to elk hunts regardless what state....CO, UT, WY, MT & NM. I would NEVER even consider flying for elk.
Most airlines no longer accept antlers as baggage. The cape and meat are no problem, but most require antlers to go as cargo, which is an entirely different process. Most places you can take it to a taxidermist who will boil the skull before packaging it as freight.
One thought if you are successful is to take it to a taxidermist in Colorado, and then when it is finished in a year or so you can plan a nice drive out to pick it up. Perhaps it will be ready for hunting season next year, or maybe a separate tourist trip.
And before you over think everything, remember you still have to kill the bull worthy of mounting.
Bill
I’m trying to figure out if I kill something I want to shoulder mount what’s the easiest way to get it to a taxidermist back in Virginia or should I just take it to one in Colorado
Book a one way flight and if you get something rent a truck or suv and drive home. The excess bag fees will cost more then the rental. If you dont kill then just book a flight home. The last time I flew home with elk it was something like $600 in excess fees, that was in 16'or17' so not sure how much has changed but i know the airlines want to charge for everything they can now a days. Last year my rental to drive home was around $200
Sean D....rentals now would probably be more like $200 per day.....
you can rent a UHaul fairly cheap.
Cover the antler points with short segments of garden hose. Airlines no likely sticky things going jab jab poke poke.
SteveB, i just rented a Tacoma for a week that I spent in New Brunswick for 307.00
Airlines baggage and airport security policies will bring disaster.
I would have it shipped.
Are u hunting DYI or with an outfitter ?
Cover the horns in cardboard and wrap it with that heavy duty seran wrap type plastic. I brought a Moose rack back from canada along with 250lbs of meat and had zero issues.
I’m surprised the “Nebraska” sticker didn’t cause you some problems, Eric….;-)
