The Maine outfitter I will be hunting bear with this fall, puts the bear skin and skull in a taped cardboard box and freezes everything.

In order to bring the box back on my return flight to Denver, I was thinking of putting the entire box in a heavy duty waterproof bag and sticking the entire thing into a large suitcase.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks.

BH63

Why not just pack it in an ice chest?

Or put the skull & hide in a bag then in a box. That way it keeps the bag from tearing. I've seen people bring big soft side coolers with them on hunts too.

Good morning. I have brought meat and skulls back many times. I have used coolers as well as a suit case with everything wrapped well in plastic and Ziploc bags and marked on the outside as to its contents. I always declare it at check in.

Safe travels...……...LL

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Thanks.

I could just declare the box (or the box in a cooler), but it would be more of a hassle in moving it from my hotel to the airport.

My thoughts, is that I will pack a carry-on bag inside the large luggage, and check that and my gun case in on the outgoing flight. That way I don't have to hassle with the carry-on bag on that flight.

Then on my return flight, provided I get my bear, I use the carry-on bag to hold all my clothes, which frees up space in the large bag for the box and/or cooler with the bear skin/skull.

That way I only have to check in two bags and there is no additional cost for the carry-on bag.

That's my thinking anyway.

BH63

Hope your suitcase turns out too small because you killed a monster.

BH: Just some random thoughts regarding baggage
Bears were a CITES listed animal (gall bladder). If that is still true make sure your outfitter fills out the paperwork and affix the sticker to the outside of the box. USFW pays airline agents a bounty for ratting you out.
Mail your dirty clothes home. It is cheaper than extra bag fees.
On the way to your destination take a carry on. Include meds, binocs, change of skivvies, jacket and other necessities for a day or two in case of lost luggage.
Wear your boots for the same lost baggage scenario.
Wear a set of clothes you can hunt in. I do not wear camo through airport terminals to avoid extra scrutiny by the legions of gestapo now willing to violate our constitutional rights under the guise of security. When you transit Boston check out the Massachusetts State Police if you doubt the veracity of my statement.
If you use dry ice to keep your perishables cool you have to declare it at check in. There are limits to how much is allowed combined in each cargo compartment. Dry ice cannot be loaded in compartment with live animal. Costs about $150 to ship a dog so guess who has priority for loading?

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Thanks bobmn. That is some great information.

Interesting enough, in Maine you can sell or barter bear gall bladders (at least according to last years regs).

BH63

quote:

Originally posted by xgrunt:
Hope your suitcase turns out too small because you killed a monster.

I will not complain, I will just ship it UPS! LOL

Thanks.

BH63

Returned from New Brunswick this past June and had no problem with the frozen hide and skull in double wrapped in garbage bags in a suitcase. The agent in charge made us place the meat in a cooler and declare it, for an additional fee, before we could depart.

All paperwork was completed and in hand, so clearing customs wasn't too much of a goat rope.

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Thanks.

Congratulations on your bear BTW.

BH63

I brought back my skull, frozen hide and loin in a large waterproof bag (from B.C. to Pennsylvania). It was then placed in a standard canvas army duffle. No problems.

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Thanks.

I tried to contact the USFW about transporting bear parts, but like most Fed agencies, I got no response.

As far as CITES, I copied this from the 2018 Maine Hunting Regs:

A person who has lawfully killed and registered a deer, bear or moose may (without a hide dealer's license) sell:

The head, hide, antlers and feet of that deer.
The head, hide, antlers, feet and bones of that moose.
The head, hide, teeth, gallbladder and claws (not attached to the paws) of that bear.

Interesting that you can legally sell a bears gallbladder.

BH63

How much do the hide and skull weigh, typically?

The ability to sell the gall-bladder is interesting. Here and North Carolina will bust your ass if caught. I know they would bring a few hundred here but didn’t know it was legal anywhere

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Yep Maine marches to its own drumbeat.

It is illegal to have a gun or bow in your possession if you are out in the woods on Sundays. No hunting whatsoever on Sundays.

Still the gallbladder thing was kind of surprising.

As to the weight of a bear's hide and head, I have no clue. Probably varies quite a bit as a black bear can weigh from about 150 lbs to over 800 lbs!

I know the one bear I killed several years ago, head and hide didn't seem to weight more than 40 lbs or so. I had no trouble carrying them.

BH63

Viagra has about done in the gall bladder market in Maine, according to the outfitter operating out of Pittston Farm.

Yes and those female bears can be tuff to dance with let alone get in the tent.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
How much do the hide and skull weigh, typically?

My hide, skull and frozen back straps (including duffle) weighed in at under 50 lbs.