This question has probably been asked before but I didn't find it on a search. Is it possible to bring home skulls and capes from the U.K. to the U.S. with my checked baggage? I'll be traveling through Dallas/Ft Worth which is a port of entry. Being the first time I've hunted outside the U.S. I'm not sure if it's possible to do it that way. I know that both Flora and Fauna and Coppersmith will import trophies but I'm wondering if there's any other way. Open to any suggestions. Thanks

I'm no expert but if you mean raw/untanned trophies etc, I have thought almost definitely not because of foot & mouth & other restrictions

I have recently brought in cleaned and bleached skulls to the US from Romania with no problems. Just declare them on the blue Customs and Border Protection form. I do not know about capes.

In 2003 I brought 3 cleaned Red Deer skulls in from the UK as checked baggage. I wrapped them up with bubble wrap and cardboard that I got from every shop that I could find in Banchory. I had no problem but I don' think that I will do it again. I am in the process of arranging a trip for next year and I am planning on having the skulls shipped back. I have no ideas about the hides.

Thanks for the responses. Anyone have a preference between Flora and Fauna or Coppersmith? I'd like to bring the skulls on my return. Might not even bother with capes if I can do that. If I do use an importer I'll have both skulls and capes shipped.

Where do you live? Will impact between F&F or Coopersmith.

I'm in Tucson,AZ. Will be hunting in Scotland and England. Gary Tatterton is the taxidermist in England that I'm considering using to salt,dip,pack. Hunting for Muntjac, Chinese Water deer,and Roe deer so nothing that will require a large crate.

The short answer is yes you can. The United States has no problem with you bringing your animals back yourself. The full answer is maybe you can.
You need to varify with your outfitter that they can get the animals ready for tranportation by the time you leave for your return trip. This would include boiling out the skull and fleshing/salting the hide, along with any required paperwork from the country you took the animals in (usually at least a vet. certificate).
Just take an extra bag along, I typically use a large river bag(heavy waterproof bag), and check the animal along with your other checked bags.
I've done this with a multitude of animals through the years from different countries, some have even required CITIES permits and I've never had a problem. Allow a little more time at customs as you'll have to have Agriculture check these animals and it's best to check with them in Dallas before you go, to make sure they will be able to go through your animals at the time your scheduled to arrive.
In the last 3 months I've brought a Bighorn back from BC, then a Marco Polo ram from Kyrgyzstan (CITIES required) but had to leave 4 Ibex and a Mouflon in Spain because the outfitter wouldn't prepare my animals before I left. He said, "that's not how he does it". So I'll have to have his taxidermist finish preparing them and then ship them over, which means I'll have to have a handling agent (Coppersmith or Flora and Fauna, I've used them both) receive them and ship them North to me. This will cost me quite a bit more than just bringing them back myself.
Good luck and enjoy what sounds to be an incredible hunting experience.

Thanks Alaska for the detailed info. I've been out hunting desert muleys here in AZ the last few days and haven't had service to respond sooner. I'll check into the times of operation in Dallas. Not sure if we can get the capes dry enough to ship but it's worth a try. Would cut some cost if I can get it done. Really looking forward to the trip.

I just booked my trip to Scotland and will be shooting 3 Red Stags and am trying to figure out how to get them home. What did you decide to do?

Any information would be greatly appriciated

If shipping I use Coppersmith, they have all ways done right by me getting my animals back from Africa. Plus since I am in Atlanta they have an office here and a warehouse.

I am going to England this year in August, first time, to hunt roe deer and muntjac. While these animals are small enough to cause no problem bringing back with me I do not expect for that to happen. Mainly because getting the appropriate paperwork because if any government agency gets involved it takes extra time to get things done. Especially if you take an animal on the last day. Of course all my experience has been in Africa where they are on their own time schedule which is slow or very slow.