I'm headed to New Mexico in October for Antelope. I was wondering what is allowed to be brought home on the airlines and how it should be packed? I am thinking a salted non dried hide is not ok? A non boiled skull as well?
Any ideas to get my trophy back to Canada would be great?
I am thinking leaving it down there and getting the work done would cause a lot of grief with the shipping and paperwork....

Throw it in a Rubber Maid tote and seal it up with duct tape and fly away. Get a taxidermist down there to boil it out.

only there for 3 days and flying out is the issue. If I get it the 3rd night and can't boil it or have a wet salted cape I think I am screwed

The airlines are only worried about it leaking. You can salt a cape give it a few hours to suck most of the moisture out, shake it off and re-salt.

Put it in a burlap sack, stick it in a Rubber Made tote like TJ suggested, duct tape the hell out of it and you are good to go.

With the skull if you spend a half an hour cleaning it up and removing all the visible tissue that is on it...... make sure no obvious meat and brain matter. Then rub salt into it and shake the excess off, you should be good to go.

Thousands do it every year. My bear hunters are doing it as we speak.

Phil,

The easiest way is to drop it with a taxidermist on the way to the airport and let him dry the cape and boil the skull. When it's done he can just send it to you. Same process in reserve that I've used when hunting in Canada. Another thing to consider is a New Mexico taxidermist may have mounted 100's of antelope. If he does a great job it might be just as well to let him do the mount and send it to you.

Mark

The thing you have to worry about is the airline. If by chance the hide gets lost, or "lost" in transit for several days you may be dealing with hair slippage or worse.

Thanks guys. I think I will salt the crap out of it and clean the skull as best I can.
Was also looking at a taxidermist as well for that option. I am thinking it may be a hassle with that if a lot of permits are needed and cost may be a factor. I messaged the airline and they say it shouldn't be a problem but I think they would all have a different view on it depending on who is in charge as they didn't really seem to know for sure.

By the looks of things taking guns to the USA has changed recently if I am not mistaken. You do not need a valid hunting license to apply for your 6NIA form to take guns into the USA. It looks simple enough. Any idea on how long it takes to get a response back and get things approved?

Where in NM?

quote:

Originally posted by nube:
By the looks of things taking guns to the USA has changed recently if I am not mistaken. You do not need a valid hunting license to apply for your 6NIA form to take guns into the USA. It looks simple enough. Any idea on how long it takes to get a response back and get things approved?

I've got my last two in about a week but I'd apply a couple months in advance just to be safe.

I bet I still need my export papers out of Canada as well going to the States TJ? Those are a pain as well.
Headed just East of Albuquerque about 120 miles i think. Hunting with Jack Huntley. I have had a few friends hunt with him and it has been good. 2 years ago he averaged 81.5" on his goats. With some luck and some rain this spring and summer I hope i have a go at a book lope. Fingers crossed but it should be a fun time no matter how it works out

No temporary export required for North American destinations. The last few we've got have been pretty painless.

Thanks! I keep hitting that like button lately lol

For some reason my last 6NIA was approved and emailed to me in a week. But it would not come through on Telus, I called and they tried again a not it still never came through. They ended up FAXing it to me.