In the spirit of the hunt, Texas Trophy Hunters Association provides our members with the latest and best information possible. To make things a bit easier, we’ve compiled a handy list of guidelines for transporting your trophy (or trophies) via airline. As always, rules and regulations are subject to change, so we urge you to contact your airline of choice ahead of time to ensure hassle-free travel. Happy hunting—and happy landings!

UNITED AIRLINES

As of Oct. 14, 2008, United no longer allow antlers or other hunter trophies in baggage.

ALASKA AIRLINES

Shipping Guidelines for Antlers

Antler Express is a cargo service for the transport of antlers within the state of Alaska and export to the lower 48 states.

Acceptance

• Must be encased in a heavy duty polyethylene bag regardless of outer packaging
• Packaging in a polyethylene bag inside a corrugated box required for specific applicable rates
• All airport to door shipments must be boxed
• Antler tips must be padded to prevent punctures
• Antlers with raw meat, blood or noticeable odors will not be accepted
• No perishables can be included with the antlers
• Maximum weight per piece is 100 pounds
• Interline shipments acceptable if cargo meets connecting carrier's rules and regulations
• All charges must be pre-paid

Service Levels

• Airport to airport
• Airport to door
• Normal delivery time is 7 to 10 working days
• Delivery service will be provided by FedEx
  • Price includes delivery to final destination, polyethylene bag and corrugated box
  • Shipments to residential addresses will be subject to an extra fee
• Maximum allowable dimensions are 38 inches deep by 34 inches wide and 70 inches length / height.

Pricing

• Delivery charges are $1.50 per pound in addition to normal transportation charges on Alaska Airline to Anchorage (ANC)
• Delivery charges are subject to a $15 minimum
• Delivery charges are not subject to taxation, fuel, or security surcharges

Note: Antlers may be accepted as baggage if they meet the requirements for checked baggage. Please check the Know Before You Go resource center.

Shipping Guidelines for Hunters

The following items shall be considered for shipping:

• Moose, caribou, goat ,and sheep shall be classified as big game.
• Products handled by a taxidermist, butcher, or meat processor resulting in a finished or mounted trophy, cut and wrapped meat or smoked sausage, etc.

Perishable Items (Raw Meat and Hides)

Alaska Airlines does not accept liability of spoilage, regardless of delay.

If not packaged per the following specifications, the shipment shall not be transported.

• Shipment(s) must be tendered for transportation a minimum of 3 hours prior to flight departure.
• Must be encased in a heavy-duty polyethylene bag regardless of outer packaging.
• Must be in leak proof outer container (no Styrofoam).
• Must have no noticeable odors.
• Maximum weight per piece 100 pounds.
• Labeled appropriately (FROZEN OR COOL).
• Dry ice (up to 5 pounds) or gel ice can be used. No wet ice allowed.
• Interline shipments accepted subject to meeting connecting carrier's rules and regulations.
• Cooler or freezer space not guaranteed.
• Federal Lacey Act requires specific labeling of all interstate shipments.
• All charges must be prepaid.
• All surfaces must be clean of blood and dirt.

Acceptance of Unprocessed Big Game

• Unprocessed shipments of big game may be accepted only when the following information is provided:
  • Date of transfer
  • Name of person taking game
  • Hunting license number
  • Hunter's address
  • Location where game was taken
• Specify who is presenting a shipment when tendered by someone other than the hunter (e.g., guide service, air taxi company).

Export of Unprocessed Big Game Trophies Out of Alaska
Controls Title 5, Alaska Administrative Code and Title 16 of Alaska Statutes

• For shipping between states:
  • Raw, unprocessed, or non-mounted big game or trophies exported from the State of Alaska to any points in the U.S. must be clearly marked on the outside packaging indicating:
    • Name and address of the shipper and consignee
    • List of package contents by species
    • Number of species
  • Shipping tags are available from all Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Wildlife Protection offices.
• For shipping outside the US:
  • Refer to procedures for shipping between states in this section.
  • A Declaration of Importation or Exportation of Fish and Wildlife (US Form 3-177) must be completed.
  • A federal Cites Export Permit is required for certain species and parts.
• A shipper should contact applicable government offices for details and pertinent forms.

Fur Animal Pelts Shipped Outside of Alaska

• A State of Alaska Fur Export Permit must be attached to the outside of a shipment.
• A Federal Export Permit is required when shipping lynx and river otter outside the U.S.

Processed Big Game Meat, Trophies or Hides
Interface Lacey Act, Section 9.201

• Information under Acceptance of Unprocessed Big Game in this section is not required when accepting big game meat, trophies or hides processed by a taxidermist, butcher, or meat processor into a finished product.
• Any package of wildlife being shipped interstate must have a Fish / Wildlife sticker filled out and attached to the outside.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Antlers

Antlers must be as free of residue as possible. The skull must be wrapped and tips protected. A $100 fee applies in addition to the applicable checked baggage charge, based on the number of checked bags. Maximum size and weight: 70 lbs.; 115 inches.

Acceptance is conditional on aircraft size and load conditions. Passengers must make all arrangements and assume full responsibility for complying with any applicable laws, customs, and/or other governmental regulations, requirements or restrictions of the county, state, or territory to/from which the antlers are being transported.

For transporting game meat, American Airlines recommends using a hard sided sealed cooler (not Styrofoam or cardboard) packed with gel ice (not dry ice).

Baggage Charges Flights within the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico For tickets purchased on or after August 14, 2009:
$20 for the first checked piece. Exceptions may apply.
$30 for the second checked piece. Exceptions may apply.
$100 per piece for the 3rd, 4th and 5th checked bags
$200 per piece for the 6th checked bag and any additional pieces

Flights within Canada or to/from Canada and the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

$15 for the first checked piece. Exceptions may apply.
$25 for the second checked piece. Exceptions may apply.
$100 per piece for the 3rd, 4th and 5th checked bags
$200 per piece for the 6th checked bag and any additional pieces

Oversize/Overweight Baggage Charges

For Flights within the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada: Checked baggage weighing over 50 lbs/23 kgs but not more than 70 lbs/32 kgs will be charged at the rate of $50 per piece.
Checked baggage weighing over 70lbs/32 kgs but not more than 100 lbs/45 kgs will be charged at the rate of $100 per piece.
Baggage weighing more than 100 lbs/45 kgs will not be accepted as checked baggage. Checked baggage which is larger than 62 in/157 cm will be charged at the rate of $150 per piece.
Baggage measuring more than 115 in/292 cm will not be accepted as checked baggage.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

Antlers

Antlers are subject to a $100 service charge per item. One service charge applies when smaller antlers are nestled inside larger antlers and strapped together. This charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply.

Continental Airlines will accept antlers retained as hunting trophies, for travel to/from the U.S. and Canada, provided the following conditions are met:

• Aircraft size and load conditions permit
• Antlers must be as free of residue as possible
• Skull must be wrapped and tips protected
• Antler linear dimensions (L+W+H) must not exceed 120 inches.

Excess Valuation may not be purchased for antlers.

Fragile and Perishable Items

Continental recommends that you do not pack high value, fragile or perishable items in your checked baggage. Continental will accept such items as carry-on baggage (if it adheres to carry-on baggage allowances) and as checked baggage if it adheres to checked baggage allowances. If you choose to pack high value, fragile or perishable items in or as checked baggage in connection with domestic travel, Continental is not liable for the loss of, damage to or delay in delivery of such items. For most international travel, Continental’s liability for destruction, loss, delay or damage to checked and unchecked baggage is limited. Perishable items must not violate agricultural rules for the destination country. Perishable items may be packed in hard-sided ventilated containers with a maximum of 5 lbs. (2.2 kg.) of dry ice. Continental will not accept perishable items packed in Styrofoam coolers or in containers that include wet ice.

Dry Ice

Continental Airlines will accept packages containing 5 lbs. (2.2 kg.) or less of dry ice as carry-on baggage or checked baggage. The container or package must be ventilated to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas. The container or package must be marked as containing dry ice and must show the net weight and the identity of the perishable item. Styrofoam coolers containing dry ice will not be accepted.

A $35.00 handling service charge applies to the transportation of dry ice as checked baggage.

Dry Ice in quantities greater than 5 lbs. (2.2 kg.) must be shipped as cargo.

DELTA AIRLINES

 Antlers

Delta will accept animal racks/antlers, although they are not included as part of the regular baggage allowance. A fee of $175 per animal rack/antler will apply for travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; and a fee of $300 per animal rack/antler will apply for travel outside the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Current Fees for Tickets purchased in Brazil and purchased in Japan for travel to/from Brazil is $75.

The following restrictions apply:

• Antlers will be accepted on Delta Connection flights only if space is available.
• Antlers must be free of residue and the skull must be wrapped and the tips protected.
• Linear dimensions must not exceed 120 inches (305cms). Any animal rack/antler that exceeds 120 linear inches cannot be accepted.

Because space can be limited, Delta can't always get the antlers on the same plane with you. If they don't, Delta will hold them at your destination for you to pick up when you can or you can have them delivered for a charge.

Cabin-Seat Baggage

For those who want to transport something that’s too fragile to be handled as checked baggage have the option of purchasing a ticket at the best available fare and storing the item in any passenger seat with a physical bulkhead or divider in front of the compartment.

The following restrictions apply. The item:

• Must not exceed 100 lbs (45 kgs)
• Must be packaged or covered in a manner to avoid injury to other passengers
• Must be properly secured by a seat belt to avoid shifting during flight
• Must not restrict access to, or use of, any required emergency or regular exits or aisle of the cabin
• Must not obscure any passenger's view of seat belt, no smoking or exit signs
• Must not contain dangerous goods
• Must be secured in a seat in the same cabin as the owner and preferably next to the owner

Fragile/Limited Liability Release Items

Fragile items as carry-on or checked baggage

Delta allows fragile items that meet baggage allowance standards as carry-on or checked baggage, as long as certain requirements are met. This may include signing a form that limits our liability.

Delta will accept a fragile or perishable item without a limited liability release if it:

• Is packaged in the original factory-sealed container
• Includes internal protective packing material
• Is typically designed for shipping

Items that are not appropriately packaged, and are not assistive devices, will be accepted upon completion of a limited liability release.

Assistive devices will be accepted regardless of the packaging. However, we reserve the right to complete a limited liability release noting pre-existing damage, and to request the passenger's signature. Passengers presenting assistive devices as checked baggage are encouraged to purchase excess valuation.

Perishables

Delta allows you to carry perishable items such as fresh or frozen foods, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, bakery products, flowers, cut flowers, floral displays and vegetable plants in the aircraft cabin as part of your carry-on baggage allowance, provided no agricultural rules are violated for the destination country.

If the item does not meet size or weight restrictions for carry-on baggage, we will accept the item within your checked baggage allowance upon completion of a limited release form. However, Delta will not be liable for deterioration or spoilage of any perishable item contained in checked baggage, whether with or without the knowledge of Delta.

Dry Ice shipments are limited by dangerous goods regulations. Customers are encouraged to use frozen gel packs or similar products to keep perishable items checked as baggage, frozen.

Wet ice shipments are not accepted as carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or cargo on Delta or Delta Connection flights.

NORTHWEST AIRLINES

Antlers
Northwest accepts antlers retained as hunting trophies as checked baggage only and only for travel within/between US/PR/VI/CA. Animal racks/antlers are not included as part of the free baggage allowance for international travel. Northwest does not accept liability for loss, damage, or delay of antlers. Excess valuation insurance may not be purchased for transport of antlers. Fees: Domestic—$175; International—$300 between US/Europe, $175 other international travel.

Fragile/Perishable Items
Passengers may include fragile and perishable items in their checked or carry-on baggage. However, Northwest is not liable for the loss, damage, spoilage, or delay in delivery of fragile or perishable items included in the passenger's baggage, with or without the knowledge of Northwest. A fragile and/or bulky item may be carried as cabin-seat baggage subject to certain restrictions.

Dry Ice
Northwest accepts packages containing up to 5.5 lbs (2.5 kgs) of dry ice in carry-on baggage or 5.5 lbs (2.5 kgs) in checked baggage per passenger. Dry ice is accepted under the following conditions:

• The container or package must be hard plastic and must be ventilated to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas.
• The container or package must be clearly labeled as containing dry ice.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Baggage Allowance: Southwest allows two (2) checked pieces of baggage per ticketed Customer. Size and weight limitations apply.

Excess Baggage: Effective June 17, 2009, your 3^rd through 9^th bag or item will incur a charge of $50 per piece, and any bag or item thereafter will be $110 per piece.

Weight and Size Allowance: Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. Effective June 17, 2009, overweight items from 51 to 100 pounds and oversized items in excess of 62 inches but not more than 80 inches (e.g.; surfboards, bicycles, vaulting poles) will be accepted for a charge of $50 per item. Any item weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo. However, Customers cannot use SWA Cargo unless classified as a Known Shipper as defined by the TSA or TSA approved Indirect Air Carriers (IAC). For full details about shipping cargo, visit swacargo.com.

Perishables: Seafood (including fresh seafood, shrimp, fish of all kinds, live lobsters, live crabs, and live crawfish), meat, fowl, game, and other perishable foods must be suitably packed in leak-proof containers. Styrofoam or other plastic foam containers are not acceptable for frozen food or other items that may leak during transit.

• Items must be wrapped in heavy plastic, and bags must be securely sealed to prevent leakage (except when used for live seafood shipments where air flow is required).
• Styrofoam^® (or other plastic foam) inserts should be used between the plastic bag and the inner wall of the carton.
• If the items require refrigeration, they should be packed with a self-contained refrigerant.
• These items are subject to inspection by a Southwest Airlines Employee and will be conditionally accepted. (Southwest assumes no liability for damage sustained during transport.)

Refrigerants: Shipments packed in wet ice will not be accepted unless the ice is contained in sealed polyethylene bags (Ziploc bags). Frozen gels or dry ice/carbon dioxide are the preferred refrigerants. Dry ice/carbon dioxide may be used as a refrigerant for perishables under the following limitations:

• Dry ice/carbon dioxide may not weigh more than five pounds in checked or carryon baggage.
• The package must be designed to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas to prevent buildup of pressure.
• The outside of the container must be marked “dry ice” or “carbon dioxide solid.” The net weight of the dry ice and the contents of the package must also be shown. A Southwest Airlines Dry Ice Label (WN-659) may be used to meet these marking requirements.

For more information regarding Southwest Airlines Baggage policies, please see the Contract of Carriage.

US AIRWAYS

Antlers

Antlers will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $100 per direction. The following conditions of acceptance apply:

• Dimension (H + W + L) must not exceed 120 in/305 cm
• On the CRJ aircraft the largest dimension cannot exceed 33 in/84 cm and the overall dimensions cannot exceed 99 in/252 cm
• On the Dash 8 aircraft the largest dimension cannot exceed 50 in/127 cm
• Head/skull must be completely clean and free of residue
• Points must be covered and protected
• 1 rack per ticketed customer
• Can’t combine or cradle 2 or more racks