rossislider Report post Posted November 12, 2012 I heard from my taxidermist that my shoulder mount from last year’s late rifle hunt will be ready in the next few weeks. My taxidermist is in Show Low and I live in Queen Creek, so I am looking for suggestions on transporting it back to the valley. There is no chance of it fitting in the back of our Tahoe, and I’m afraid the wind on drive down to the valley in the back of my truck would cause it to lose half of it’s coat. The only other idea that I had would be to rent a Uhaul cargo trailer in Show Low and drop it off in the valley. Unfortunately, they require a minimum two day rental, even though I only need the trailer for half a day. Then there is the concern that that light trailer would bounce around like crazy on the highway. I’ll gladly pay for the two day rental and crawl home slowly to get the mount home in good shape, but wouldn’t be opposed to a cheaper/better option. Anyone on here have any experience with this, suggestions, and/or ideas? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azgutpile Report post Posted November 12, 2012 See if you can find someone towing a toy hauler back from an elk hunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterjohnny Report post Posted November 12, 2012 Can you wrap it in some tarps and blankets for the truck ride? This is why I stay away fron those big ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viper Report post Posted November 12, 2012 I have hauled one down from Cottonwood to Mesa in the bed of a pickup. Tie it in place with rope/straps, support it with blankets stuffed where needed, carefully cover it with a tarp. No issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prowlerMan Report post Posted November 12, 2012 I towed my elk back from show low to Mesa on a trailer a couple years ago and it did just fine. Made it home in the same condition as when I picked it up. Just make sure to tie it down good! Wind didn't bother the hair at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckl1 Report post Posted November 14, 2012 If I were in your position, and I hope to be someday, I would ask my taxidermist. They probably have a lot of experience with hauling trophies. Congrats on the Elk Lee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkaddict Report post Posted November 14, 2012 If I were in your position, and I hope to be someday, I would ask my taxidermist. They probably have a lot of experience with hauling trophies. Congrats on the Elk Lee Great advice! Clay at Mogollon Taxidermy screwed a couple of 2x2's to the back of my elk mount then screwed the 2x2's to my quad trailer deck and it rode perfectly. No ropes or any other tiedowns. Went 50 miles and wind didn't seem to have any effect on the hide. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tines Report post Posted November 17, 2012 You can use cellophane to wrap and protect the hide. Some taxidermists will do that for transport. Doesn't help you much unless you have a bed or trailer, I guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted November 17, 2012 Years ago, I hauled shoulder mounts of an Alaskan-Yukon moose and my best elk in the bed of my pickup truck, using rope to keep them from sliding around and upright. I picked a day when good weather was forecast, and positioned the heads so the wind would not be against the "grain" of the hair. They made the trip from Tucson to Greer with no problem. (If I were to do it again, I'd wrap them in inexpensive painters' drop cloths from Home Depot.) Hauling those two mounts to our cabin in an open truck made for an interesting trip. People gawked when I drove past, and lots of drivers honked their horns when they saw them. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
123456 Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Crate it up and have it shipped. Look at costs difference between driving and renting vs. shipping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Becker Report post Posted November 18, 2012 Best way is a covered trailer. Screw some 2 x4 or 2 x2 s to the back of mount and then screw them down to the trailer as mentioned earlier. If its an open trailer I would recommend not covering it. I have had a few guys call me and ask what they can do to fix their mounts because they tried to cover them but the constant flap of the cover and shifting i guess wore some hair off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted December 8, 2012 Thanks for all the great suggestions. I picked up my bull last night. I ended up borrowing a buddy’s cargo trailer for the job. Will at 2 Windy Taxidermy helped me screw the mount to a large piece of plywood, and then we bungied the antlers to the side of the trailer in 4 different directs. It was a long round trip trek last night starting at 5:00 PM from Mesa, then to Show Low, and finally back to Queen Creek getting home around 1:00 AM. But the mount didn’t budge and inch and looks fantastic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
