Packaging Moose Rack for Alaska Cargo Shipment

[KShunter8080]

I was hoping someone who has recently shipped a moose rack with the skull attached (for a euro mount) via Alaska Air Cargo could give me some pointers. I am curious what exactly you used for wrapping / packaging material for the antlers and the skull. If anyone has pictures that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Also, was there anything special you had to do when dropping it off at the airport after getting it wrapped up? I am already a known shipper but have never actually shipped anything with them. Just trying to prevent any headaches this fall if I am lucky enough to get one.

 

[Robinhood21]

Waxed fish boxes for the meat. Bring extra contractor bags as the bags in the boxes are kind of short. That way you can really tie the end off good to eliminate any leakage.

For the skulls we trimmed as much meat off as possible and removed the brains.
We then wrap the skull in a microfiber towl and a cheap lightweight tarp from amazon.
Then we wrap the skull like crazy with packaging plastic wrap.
Then we use cardboard to cover the tips/antlers and duct tape it all together.
Then we use the packaging wrap and wrap the crap out of it. Then when we think we're done, we wrap it some more.
We then finish it off with more duct tape.

We brought our own duct tape and plastic wrap.
Get to the airport extra early when checking in Frozen Air Cargo... they're not very fast and there will sure to be others wanting to do the same thing.

 

[KShunter8080]

That is very helpful. Couple questions.

Did the heads have to be frozen before you dropped them off?

Do you mind sharing what it cost to ship them back? Not sure if they broke it down by item, but that would be helpful.

 

[Nontyp]

Take black pipe insulation for the antler tips. You can cut it into pieces to pack better. I stick arrows inside of it, one on my gun barrel and just about anywhere I can cram it in and a 6” wide till of shrink wrap. A black trash bag for the skull that is duct taped tightly on. Make sure your name and address is clearly visible even though they still lost mine for 6 months.

 

[Robinhood21]

That is very helpful. Couple questions.

Did the heads have to be frozen before you dropped them off?

Do you mind sharing what it cost to ship them back? Not sure if they broke it down by item, but that would be helpful.

No heads were not frozen.
Cost from small town Alaska to Kansas City was in the $550 range. #300lbs of meat and the head which weighed 70lbs. The rest of the meat was given to my cousin who lives up there.

 

[Chumsnagger]

Don’t forget to wrap an AirTag in there!

 

[Nontyp]

If I’m successful this yr I’m thinking about cutting the skull off and use a 3d printed replica. Shipping my skull back was 625.00 by it’s self and the cape was anouther $75 and it weighed about the same

 

[william schmaltz]

A lot of reinforcing what others have said. Clean it very well. Remove eyes, the top of mouth, brain, etc. Then wrap skull with something that will absorb. Even if it’s a roll of paper towels wrapped around it. The major spots it will contact the ground and get rubbed the most are the back of skull and teeth/nose. I wrapped with towels and then do a couple layer or something like cardboard around the back of skull/teeth/nose. Then do a couple contractor bags taped around the skull. The points we do pipe insulation and then cardboard. Then we wrap the whole thing in plastic. For every step, once you think it’s good enough, do it 2x that. Make it look like a shipping company packaged it for you.


A whole lot has changed just in the last decade as far as shipping antlers/meat. At least a couple shipping companies no longer touch em and airlines clamp down more every year. Even if this is the only time you plan to do it, remember there were a bunch of guys before you that did a half-assed job that made it more much expensive for when it was your turn. Please don’t be the guy that makes it more expensive for everyone after you! (not specific to the OP, just a general comment) The people handling these things are gatekeepers agents/baggage handlers usually in major cities. They don’t want to touch your leaky package or antlers or even see them. Saw this shit last year and it made me furious. The picture actually makes it look better than it was. How many more of these until AK Airlines says “no more antlers”.

 

[Robinhood21]

Saw this shit last year and it made me furious. The picture actually makes it look better than it was. How many more of these until AK Airlines says “no more antlers”.
View attachment 1052736

WOW...

 

[Muleyczy]

Just to make sure I understand…..your wrapping antlers like described, then checking them in on the airline as checked baggage correct or shipping them?

 

[KShunter8080]

Just to make sure I understand…..your wrapping antlers like described, then checking them in on the airline as checked baggage correct or shipping them?

I am open to either option. If they have room to check them, I will do that. But I also have my known shipper number so I can send them via Alaska Air Cargo as well. Whatever option is best.

 

[Chumsnagger]

Checking in antlers for your flight will be considerably cheaper than AK Air cargo. Could be on the same plane, but Cargo measures the antler package and will charge a “chargeable” weight rather than gross weight. Cargo will be $400-$700 depending on destination.

 

[KShunter8080]

A lot of reinforcing what others have said. Clean it very well. Remove eyes, the top of mouth, brain, etc. Then wrap skull with something that will absorb. Even if it’s a roll of paper towels wrapped around it. The major spots it will contact the ground and get rubbed the most are the back of skull and teeth/nose. I wrapped with towels and then do a couple layer or something like cardboard around the back of skull/teeth/nose. Then do a couple contractor bags taped around the skull. The points we do pipe insulation and then cardboard. Then we wrap the whole thing in plastic. For every step, once you think it’s good enough, do it 2x that. Make it look like a shipping company packaged it for you.
View attachment 1052726
View attachment 1052727
A whole lot has changed just in the last decade as far as shipping antlers/meat. At least a couple shipping companies no longer touch em and airlines clamp down more every year. Even if this is the only time you plan to do it, remember there were a bunch of guys before you that did a half-assed job that made it more much expensive for when it was your turn. Please don’t be the guy that makes it more expensive for everyone after you! (not specific to the OP, just a general comment) The people handling these things are gatekeepers agents/baggage handlers usually in major cities. They don’t want to touch your leaky package or antlers or even see them. Saw this shit last year and it made me furious. The picture actually makes it look better than it was. How many more of these until AK Airlines says “no more antlers”.
View attachment 1052736

Thank you for the detailed response and great photos. Looks like you have it down to a science on how to package them! Any idea how much plastic / shrink wrap you use on one set of antlers? Just want to make sure that I take enough up there with me.

I am very surprised that the airline even accepted that packaging job!