I am considering a stalking trip in Scotland for red stag.

What is the normal method of getting the trophy back to the US? Most of the stalkers that I've talked to tell me that most guys just take the antlers back with them, but does this work for getting them back to the US from the UK? Just wondering with all those regulations about meat and diseases and stuff.

Thanks!

Chasseur,

I know of one American who tried to take a cleaned and bleached Roe skull back to the States only to have it confiscated when he arrived.

I don't know the in's and outs of why this happened, but I would contact your local Fish & Wildlife Dept and see what they say..

I know if you book a weeks Roe stalking, the stalker himself will often clean and prepare your trophies by the end of the trip...I am not sure thats usual with the larger species like Red though?

Also how would you transport the head back?

Cut the antlers off the skull and then have them remounted when you get home?

If so, I have a feeling that all in all, you will probably need to get a local taxidermist involved and have the head shipped over at a later date...The cost for one or two skulls should not be too prohibative I would have thought?

Regards,

Pete

Chasseur

I'm booked with Mike McCrave for '06 Hill Stags. I'll check out trophy shipping and get back to you.

Regards,

Mark

Chasseur,

Mike e-mailed today and said if you want skulls and capes because the capes have to be "flint dried" his taxidermist will take care of all that and then ship the trophies to the US with proper USF&W paperwork. If you just want the skull and horns for a Euro mount he can boil the skull to "museum standards" on sight and cover the horn tips so you can take the trophy on the flight home of course once again with the appropriate USF&W paperwork. If these procedures are not followed your trophies will not be allowed into the States.

Hope this helps!

Mark

Mark,

I hope you're correct. I'm the poor SOB that Pete E mentioned. Everything went through fine until some supervisor caught it as I was nearly clear of customs. He spotted a horn tip as one of the agents was putting it back in the box to send me on my way. The first agent didn't have a problem, but the super gave me a huge lecture and told me in no uncertain terms I could not bring new ungulate skulls into the US from the UK regardless of the paper work. This was before the mad cow and foot in mouth stuff so I'd rather opt for shipping it home than as carry-on. All told, I suspect the supervisor has it sitting in his den right now as he was eyeing the thing way, way to fondly to send it to the burn pile. If I ever find that guy, I'll need a little bail money It was a damned nice buck!!!

K

Kernal,

Good to see you still around! That was a damn nice trophy by anyones standards and would have been a medal for sure...

Who ever did the trophy prep on the skull had done a very good job and there was no way why that skull posed any risk what so ever. The boiling and bleaching must have effectively sterilised it...

I think if I wanted to take anything back to the States like this, I would get a copy of the rules and regulations and carry them with me...

Regards,

Pete

Hey Pete,

Yep, I'm still around. Just starting a new job so have been all out of sync as of late. To keep on subject, you are correct about having the regs in hand. I called several offices and they said no problem. I was young and impressionable enough to believe them (even though I knew better!!). Ah, well I still have the plaque you gave me that hangs empty in rememberance of what should be there!!! The memory remains it seems....

Now off topic a bit, I did manage to get back to Africa in between jobs and shot a nice eland and kudu! I posted a few photos a while back. Check out the following thread:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/392108003

K

Kernel,

I remember seeing the pictures before and being impressed with that Kudu...I bet it has pride of place in your house! Eland are on any future wish list for me; mind you its a list that is growing and growing!

Regards,

Pete