Elk mount as checked baggage (United)

[pdsmith505]

Last year (2016) I managed to take a nice elk (300" range) out in Unit 2 in NM during bow season. Didn't have time to wait around for the taxidermist to finish the european mount so I figured I'd just leave it with family and bring it back after this year's hunt.

Well, Navy had different plans and canx'd my 2017 hunt, so he's still taking up space in my parent's house.

I'm flying out for Christmas and was considering checking the mount on the way back. United's website tells me antlers are accepted with a $150 fee as long as it meets dimensional criteria (could be a deal killer itself).

Have any of you checked a mount before? What was your experience?

 

[red rick]

We would be fighting if you were sitting beside me and I am a avid hunter .

Nice elk .

 

[milemaker13]

Carry on! You can cram it into those over head bins .
But seriously, I don't know how that won't get broken during handling as checked baggage.

 

[Art Eatman]

I'd try to get a United person on the phone with follow-up questions. Crated or un-crated, for example. And explain the antlers' dimensions.

 

[FL-NC]

UPS

 

[jmr40]

UPS

This, or a road trip

 

[ZeroJunk]

My hunting partner checked one as baggage a few years ago. It was a heavy 5X5 , but not 300 by any stretch. He had to buy a garden hose, put it over the points and fold it back securing with duct tape. No problems.

 

[Patocazador]

I flew back from Washington (state) years ago with a cooler with a black bear's head in it. It was my carry-on. Nobody seemed to care but that was before TSA took over.

_____________________________________________________________________

pdsmith, I love the Obama bumper sticker in your photo.

 

[pdsmith505]

I'd try to get a United person on the phone with follow-up questions. Crated or un-crated, for example. And explain the antlers' dimensions.

My hunting partner checked one as baggage a few years ago. It was a heavy 5X5 , but not 300 by any stretch. He had to buy a garden hose, put it over the points and fold it back securing with duct tape. No problems.

It's good to hear of at least once experience. I get the feeling that dimensions are gonna be the plan-killer anyways.

UPS

This, or a road trip

Trying to minimize total cost for the shipping. I'm not in a rush, but it would be nice to get it back when I have a good opportunity to do it cheap.

It's starting to get to the point where it'll be simpler to figure out when I get a new set of orders and move everything else too!

Appreciate all the responses so far.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Last year (2016) I managed to take a nice elk (300" range) out in Unit 2 in NM during bow season. Didn't have time to wait around for the taxidermist to finish the european mount so I figured I'd just leave it with family and bring it back after this year's hunt.

Well, Navy had different plans and canx'd my 2017 hunt, so he's still taking up space in my parent's house.

I'm flying out for Christmas and was considering checking the mount on the way back. United's website tells me antlers are accepted with a $150 fee as long as it meets dimensional criteria (could be a deal killer itself).

Have any of you checked a mount before? What was your experience?

Right from United’s baggage policy page;

Antlers
United will accept one set of antlers or animal horns per ticketed customer. Antlers are subject to a $150 service charge (each way) per item for travel between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and a $200 service charge for all other travel. This charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply.

• Aircraft size and load conditions permit
• Antlers must be as free of residue as possible
• Skull must be wrapped and antler tips must be properly protected
• Antler linear dimensions (L+W+H) must not exceed 120 inches, however on United Express® flights, the linear dimensions cannot exceed 33 inches x 43 inches (83 cm x 109 cm) and overall linear dimensions must not exceed 98 inches (248 cm)

Your elk antlers are to big. Save yourself the trouble of being denied at the counter and have them shipped UPS or fed ex ground. Just saying.

 

[pdsmith505]

Right from United’s baggage policy page;

Antlers
United will accept one set of antlers or animal horns per ticketed customer. Antlers are subject to a $150 service charge (each way) per item for travel between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and a $200 service charge for all other travel. This charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply.

• Aircraft size and load conditions permit
• Antlers must be as free of residue as possible
• Skull must be wrapped and antler tips must be properly protected
• Antler linear dimensions (L+W+H) must not exceed 120 inches, however on United Express® flights, the linear dimensions cannot exceed 33 inches x 43 inches (83 cm x 109 cm) and overall linear dimensions must not exceed 98 inches (248 cm)

Your elk antlers are to big. Save yourself the trouble of being denied at the counter and have them shipped UPS or fed ex ground. Just saying.

You mean the page I linked? And mentioned that they may be too big (notwithstanding the fact that scoring inches aren't the same as linear dimensions)?

I'm flying out for Christmas and was considering checking the mount on the way back. United's website tells me antlers are accepted with a $150 fee as long as it meets dimensional criteria (could be a deal killer itself).

Have any of you checked a mount before? What was your experience?

Unfortunately they don't have a "customer reviews" section where I could hear of them busting off tines/beams, etc.. Hence the request for experiences.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply though. Thanks!

 

[pdsmith505]

I flew back from Washington (state) years ago with a cooler with a black bear's head in it. It was my carry-on. Nobody seemed to care but that was before TSA took over.

________________________________________________________________
pdsmith, I love the Obama bumper sticker in your photo.

If I had a different picture of the mount, I'd have used it... it's not exactly "high road", and I do my best to keep it civil here.

 

[H&Hhunter]

You mean the page I linked? And mentioned that they may be too big (notwithstanding the fact that scoring inches aren't the same as linear dimensions)?



Unfortunately they don't have a "customer reviews" section where I could hear of them busting off tines/beams, etc.. Hence the request for experiences.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply though. Thanks!

Got it!

 

[pdsmith505]

Well, flight back is in a couple days...

But L+W+H turns out to be 124"... 4" more than allowed.

 

[redneck]

Would removing the wood get you under the limit to get it home?

 

[H&Hhunter]

Well, flight back is in a couple days...

But L+W+H turns out to be 124"... 4" more than allowed.

No kidding...........

 

[ZeroJunk]

Well, flight back is in a couple days...

But L+W+H turns out to be 124"... 4" more than allowed.

I think if I had anybody there to take it back I would try it anyway. Chances are they will take it and not say a word. Or not.