As recent as last year we checked a wrapped 60” rack as baggage on AK Airlines with no issue. Their new policy is only one set per plane, but there were 4 sets of antlers that came to the oversize baggage claim at our destination. So probably depends on whoever is working the loading dock that day. Not sure about Delta anymore, haven't checked antlers with them since 2020.
Next easiest is shipping AK air cargo. That’s only if you live near an AK Airlines hub or know someone who does. Need a known shipper number to ship out of the state. I think it’s pretty easy if you own a business. I tried to get a personal one five years ago and they quoted me nearly $300. Check with your outfitter if they have a number to use or if there is a rokslider willing to lend you theirs.
My hunting buddies that come up have used AK Trophy Express several times over the last 6 years and will again this year. Once you ship it from Illiamna, you don’t have to worry anymore. Coordinate with Dalton’s in ANC and they take care of it. They will charge a couple $hundred to pickup and store for a month and another $100 or so to boil out brain matter if you haven't already. Check their route on the website to see how far you are from a pickup location. Only repeated gripe I hear with AK trophy express is that they are very short notice on pickup. I’ve had buddies that tried to call over and over again for days knowing pickup was coming up with no answer and then receive a call 6 hours before arrival that they needed to drop everything and be at the pickup location which is a 6 hour drive away.
There are a couple good expediter options. One is on Rokslide and only hear good things. If you truly want an easy button, do that. Give him a shout, prices may be competitive and you drop the hassle out of it.
Don’t forget you’ll have to ship from Illiamna on a different carrier. Major airlines do not fly there. Your outfitter should line you out on who to use for that. If splitting the skull, after paying a taxidermist to puzzle it back together, you may not be saving much. I’d personally rather pay a couple $hundred extra to ship it intact.
Edit: if checking as baggage or shipping, bring pipe insulators, a roll of duct tape, and a few rolls of cling wrap. Remove as much meat/brain as possible. Wrap the skull in something absorbent so it doesn’t leak, tape sections of pipe insulators over antler tips, and wrap that thing until it’s almost unrecognizable. All of us need to make sure we don’t ruin it for everyone by having a leaking skull or antler tips going through someone’s bag! We’ve already lost a couple good shipping options because of those reasons!
