Has a tone shipped birds to the taxidermist from a out of state hunt? I'm planning a Oklahoma trip and want to be a le to get my bird back to my taxidermist if I get one. Should I try to buy a styrofoam cooler or use a hard one? Just trying to do my homework on this ahead of time because I've never done it before. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks
Just talk with whatever taxidermist you plan to use and they will give you their instructions. That's the easiest way.
I've had to do 2 this way. They were caped and I brought them home from the hunt and then shipped them to the taxidermist. I also had 2 that I took to a taxidermist out of state and were caped there and shipped to me. Worked out fine
semi-cape it, freeze it, and take it back with you.
You got the outfitter to cape it? Maybe my taxidermist could show me where he would like the cuts for the cape?
Here's a video: http://www.upperbaytaxidermy.com/PREPERATION.html
Always talk to YOUR taxidermist or the one receiving the bird. Some want them a certain way. I am a taxidermist and would rather have a whole bird than one that was skinned wrong/poorly.
I've done it twice, two somewhat different ways. Both times froze the bird solid, wrapped in newspaper and a 12 pack soda box around the tail, taped to the newspaper.
1st one, went and bought a cooler from walmart big enough to place the bird in and checked it as a bag (taped the cooler shut) on my return flight home. TSA was intrigued to say the least, but arrived perfectly.
2nd one, I had another state to go hunt in that I was driving to before heading home, so I prepped like above and then went and bought moving boxes and bubble wrap. Wrapped the papered bird in bubble wrap, taped two boxes together to get the length needed, and shipped UPS from the UPS store 3-day select. Taxi man recommended this, and said it arrived perfectly for him to begin skinning.
Both methods get some interesting looks, but worked out for me.