Delta Big 5 transportation

[Tango]

My taxidermist in South Africa just let me know that Delta is apparently not accepting any Big 5 taxidermy for freight transport back to the USA. (I have 2 euro mount buffalo skulls there along with a variety of plains game euros, flat skins and buffalo hide leather.) Aside from the political/anti-hunting aspect here, Delta has been the most cost-effective carrier for me in the past; 1) Is this old news/am I just out of the loop? 2) Any suggestions on most economical carriers back to the USA? Thank you

 

[slam8031]

Unfortunately old news. Turkish Air was my last carrier with buffalo.

 

[RLL]

I’ve used badger cargo 2 times to broker shipping and buffs were all shipped via TurkishAir. Rates were good and no complaints on my end.

 

[JimP]

Delta has had this policy for at least 3 or 4 year from what I remember

 

[Inline6]

I’ve used badger cargo 2 times to broker shipping and buffs were all shipped via TurkishAir. Rates were good and no complaints on my end.

Also used Badger for my buff amongst others.

 

[RR 314]

Yup. Turkish this last trip. Delta has been out for seemingly a couple years.

 

[Nevada Wapati]

Turkish did my last couple shipments. Including the one that landed in San Francisco today. Badger handled the shipment.

 

[Hunt anything]

Delta implemented this policy after the Cecil uproar back in 2014 or15. I don’t think any US airline will carry big 5 trophies.

 

[MontanaPat]

Same here, my buff in 2023 and all of my other trophies from 3 trips have come into the US on Turkish Airlines. Interestingly, my trip last year for red stag in Argentina was. Shipped on American Airlines, though not big 5, I was mistakenly under the impression beforehand that none of the US carriers were shipping hunting trophies.

 

[Philip Glass]

My taxidermist in South Africa just let me know that Delta is apparently not accepting any Big 5 taxidermy for freight transport back to the USA. (I have 2 euro mount buffalo skulls there along with a variety of plains game euros, flat skins and buffalo hide leather.) Aside from the political/anti-hunting aspect here, Delta has been the most cost-effective carrier for me in the past; 1) Is this old news/am I just out of the loop? 2) Any suggestions on most economical carriers back to the USA? Thank you

Old news. There are plenty of flights to get trophies home. I heard a rumor that Delta would end the ban.

 

[Hunt anything]

Old news. There are plenty of flights to get trophies home. I heard a rumor that Delta would end the ban.

That’s good news if it comes to fruition. To me a direct flight from Johannesburg is much better, less handling and less chance of an “accident “ by the airlines.

 

[Fatback]

With the cost of getting trophies shipped back to the states I wonder how much revenue Delta has lost refusing to ship hunting trophies back from Africa? Also, while having absolutely not positive impact on African wildlife conservation, I might add.
It certainly couldn’t hurt to have another carrier willing to ship, who know maybe a little competition might help reduce cost. A fella can dream, right??

 

[JimP]

I doubt that Delta has lost anything by not shipping trophies, and that their cargo holds are full on each and every flight.

 

[PARA45]

Turkish Airways will rape you with their warehouse storage fees. Stay on top of your trophies, and make sure whomever is clearing them is on top of it so you can minimize the storage fees. My storage fees (12 days) was more than the actual airline fees. This is probably how they make their money.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

anyone know if Qatar will ship trophies to the states

 

[Tango]

Thanks very much guys. This was my first Big 5 hunt, never thought shipment would be an issue. Guess I'm not surprised given Delta's politics.

 

[Mountaineer]

@PARA45 what animals did you fly home and how much was it if you don’t mind quoting? Thanks