Shipping to & from the Studio
Boxes, foam, freight, and the small details that decide whether your trophy arrives clean or arrives ruined.
Shipping is the most under-discussed part of taxidermy. A skin that survives a thousand-mile flight in a cooler can still be lost to a single warm afternoon on a loading dock. This is how we ship — and how we ask you to ship to us.
Shipping — the essentials
Six articles, hand-picked from the Stehling archive, that answer the questions hunters and collectors most often ask in this category.
Shipping Trophies to Us
Step-by-step instructions for packing capes, antlers, hides, fish, and birds for safe transit.
Read more →How We Ship Finished Mounts
Custom crates, foam beds, and the freight carriers we trust with finished work.
Read more →Freezing Before You Ship
Why frozen is almost always better than salted for inbound shipments — and the exceptions.
Read more →Insuring Trophies in Transit
How to value a trophy for declared insurance and which carriers actually pay claims.
Read more →International Imports
USDA, CITES, and customs broker logistics for trophies coming home from abroad.
Read more →Local Drop-Off & Pickup
For Texas hunters and within driving distance — when shipping is not the right answer.
Read more →48
States we ship finished mounts to
Frequently asked
The questions we answer most often, drawn from real conversations on the studio floor.
What is the safest way to ship a cape?
Frozen, double-bagged, packed tight in a sturdy cooler with frozen gallon jugs around it, shipped overnight on a Monday or Tuesday. Never ship a frozen cape on a Friday.
Can I ship antlers attached to the skull plate?
Yes, and we prefer it. Wrap the bases, brace the tines, and ship the antlers separately from the cape if the cape is frozen.
Do you accept freight deliveries?
Yes. Our receiving dock handles freight Monday through Friday during business hours. Call ahead so we can stage the unload.
How are finished mounts shipped back to me?
In custom-built crates, padded with foam, picked up by a freight specialist in trophy work. We do not hand mounts to standard parcel carriers.
What does shipping back to me cost?
Quoted at pickup based on size, weight, and destination. Most shoulder mounts ship in the low hundreds; life-size and rugs ship at freight rates.
Can I pick up in person to save the shipping cost?
Absolutely. Many of our clients drive in from across the country for pickup. Schedule the visit in advance.
Have a project in mind?
Whether you have a specific question about shipping or you want to brief us on a trophy already on its way, we are happy to help.