Transporting a trophy head for an extended period of time

[RJK70]

I heading out midweek to try and arrow an Oryx. Hopefully I will be successful and will have a cape and a head coming back with me. On the way home I plan to stop at my deer lease for the weekend. If I am successful on the Oryx it could be 5 or more days before I can take it to a taxidermist.

How long can I safely keep a head and cape without causing any damage?

What needs to be done to the head and cape to make sure it stays fresh in transport before it gets to the taxi? Keep in mind this thing will have around 40" long horns sticking out.

Does anyone know a good qaulity Taxi in the Houston area they can highly recommend? I took my buck this year to woods and water but they charge an arm and a leg for an Oryx mount.


Another option is to leave the trophy with the ranch and they have a taxi that seems to do great work for a good price. Only downside is I would have to drive from Houston to west of Fort Worth to pick it up.

[RJK70]

Forgot to add the only "refrigeration" I will have is two large coolers. This will need to keep the oryx meat also.

[haley]

Find a local Taxidermist to cape it all the way out for you and freeze the cape. Pick it up on your way back.

[txhunter33]

I agree with Haley, you need to keep the head and hide cold. Most taxidermists will ship the head to you.

[TexasBob]

Good work, good price and less headache may be worth the drive back to Ft. Worth. Would be for me.

[RJK70]

Good work, good price and less headache may be worth the drive back to Ft. Worth. Would be for me.

This is the way I am leaning but just wanted to check my options. If I go back to FW I can visit my grandparents which will be a bonus because they are getting up in age.


As far as shipping goes the Taxi said it could be done but would be very very expensive (several hundred dollars) just because of the size of the mount.



This could be all for nothing if I don't connect on the Oryx but lets think positive here

[kfd82]

The processor I use in Uvalde will cape it and send it fed ex to where ever you want it to go, packed in dry ice. I think it costs about 45 dollars for the caping and shipping.

Might want to check some of the processors around where you will be hunting.

[agvet2004]

If you left it at the ranch, I am sure it would be pretty easy to get a TBH express back to Kingwood when it is ready.

[jcso139]

I wouldn't take a chance on messing up the cape. not worth it! bring it to a taxi up there.

[Russ]

U going to Diamond C Ranch??? He's got some biggens if ya are!!!