Bear hunting USA help

[Stew1803]

Hello All,

Has anyone hunted Bear in Idaho? We are going over in May and hoping to spend a few weeks hunting there.

We want to take our own rifles so any help regarding legalities flying with them would be helpful.

And has anyone ever taken meat, skin, skulls etc back (is it even possible?)

cheers

Stew

 

[hairlesshunter]

Hello All,

Has anyone hunted Bear in Idaho? We are going over in May and hoping to spend a few weeks hunting there.

We want to take our own rifles so any help regarding legalities flying with them would be helpful.

And has anyone ever taken meat, skin, skulls etc back (is it even possible?)

cheers

Stew

Don’t bring any more than three skins back it just wouldn’t be right

 

[CaseyJohnson]

Hello All,

Has anyone hunted Bear in Idaho? We are going over in May and hoping to spend a few weeks hunting there.

We want to take our own rifles so any help regarding legalities flying with them would be helpful.

And has anyone ever taken meat, skin, skulls etc back (is it even possible?)

cheers

Stew

Hello Stew!

I live in Wyoming and love hunting bears. I’d love to help shed some light on this for you.

As far as bringing your guns into the US for hunting, here is what you need to do.

Fill this out and return it to the ATF. I recommend doing this ASAP to avoid time conflicts as your hunt gets closer.

https://www.atf.gov/file/11386/download

Concerning the exportation of the skull, meat, and hide, I would recommend using a local taxidermist who will clean all of the parts and mail them to you. You may be able to package and transport your meat yourself but I would check with customs on your end to make sure that it’s legal to bring game meat back. I know that I am not allowed to bring meat from Europe to the US but have brought many skulls back with no issues.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Good luck on your hunt. I’d love to see some photos when you return.

Cheers!

 

[Stew1803]

Hello Stew!

I live in Wyoming and love hunting bears. I’d love to help shed some light on this for you.

As far as bringing your guns into the US for hunting, here is what you need to do.

Fill this out and return it to the ATF. I recommend doing this ASAP to avoid time conflicts as your hunt gets closer.

https://www.atf.gov/file/11386/download

Concerning the exportation of the skull, meat, and hide, I would recommend using a local taxidermist who will clean all of the parts and mail them to you. You may be able to package and transport your meat yourself but I would check with customs on your end to make sure that it’s legal to bring game meat back. I know that I am not allowed to bring meat from Europe to the US but have brought many skulls back with no issues.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Good luck on your hunt. I’d love to see some photos when you return.

Cheers!

Hi Casey,

That's brilliant thank you.

Yeah I've emailed a few taxidermists and waiting on a reply, hopefully they can help.

My understanding is game meat cannot be taken to the UK unfortunately, so chances are I'll be looking for someone to give the meat ideally. So if you're not far from Boise then you're welcome to any meat we get if you want it.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Hi Casey,

That's brilliant thank you.

Yeah I've emailed a few taxidermists and waiting on a reply, hopefully they can help.

My understanding is game meat cannot be taken to the UK unfortunately, so chances are I'll be looking for someone to give the meat ideally. So if you're not far from Boise then you're welcome to any meat we get if you want it.

Just make sure it's well cooked!

 

[CaseyJohnson]

I do love black bear meat! Im sure the local taxidermist will know of someone local that would take the meat.

 

[devon deer stalker]

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/18/us/virginia-hunter-bear-death-scli-intl/index.html#:~:text=A%20man%20has%20died%20in,Resources%20said%20in%20a%20statement.

Try and avoid to this!

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Perhaps a vet needs to sign off the skull before shipping to the UK.

 

[shakey jake]

Hi Casey,

That's brilliant thank you.

Yeah I've emailed a few taxidermists and waiting on a reply, hopefully they can help.

My understanding is game meat cannot be taken to the UK unfortunately, so chances are I'll be looking for someone to give the meat ideally. So if you're not far from Boise then you're welcome to any meat we get if you want it.

Its not unfortunate we cant import game meat! Britain is trichenella free and needs to stay that way!

 

[maxtheflyinghorse]

Hello Stew!

I live in Wyoming and love hunting bears. I’d love to help shed some light on this for you.

As far as bringing your guns into the US for hunting, here is what you need to do.

Fill this out and return it to the ATF. I recommend doing this ASAP to avoid time conflicts as your hunt gets closer.

https://www.atf.gov/file/11386/download

Concerning the exportation of the skull, meat, and hide, I would recommend using a local taxidermist who will clean all of the parts and mail them to you. You may be able to package and transport your meat yourself but I would check with customs on your end to make sure that it’s legal to bring game meat back. I know that I am not allowed to bring meat from Europe to the US but have brought many skulls back with no issues.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Good luck on your hunt. I’d love to see some photos when you return.

Cheers!

Hello mate. Saw this reply. I got three of my euro mounts still in the UK I moved to the states last year. How did you bring the skulls to the states from the UK. Would you be kind enough to explain the process. Thanks in advance

 

[Stew1803]

Hello mate. Saw this reply. I got three of my euro mounts still in the UK I moved to the states last year. How did you bring the skulls to the states from the UK. Would you be kind enough to explain the process. Thanks in advance

I believe you are able to get a taxidermist here to ship to a taxidermist in the US as long as they have an import license.

what I've read anyways mate.

Casey may have a more solid answer though

 

[CaseyJohnson]

Hello mate. Saw this reply. I got three of my euro mounts still in the UK I moved to the states last year. How did you bring the skulls to the states from the UK. Would you be kind enough to explain the process. Thanks in advance

I brought back a chamois and a Mouflan skull on two different trips in my checked and carry on bags. I just made sure the skulls were cleaned, whitened, and ready to display before I traveled with them.

The TSA actually commented on the chamois and told me congrats. No big deal. The meat however was a different story. They took that.

 

[Covert]

CITIES ?

 

[maxtheflyinghorse]

I brought back a chamois and a Mouflan skull on two different trips in my checked and carry on bags. I just made sure the skulls were cleaned, whitened, and ready to display before I traveled with them.

The TSA actually commented on the chamois and told me congrats. No big deal. The meat however was a different story. They took that.

Thank you for the reply. My issue is I have three skulls but only one was done by a taxidermist other two aren’t. Do I need any import license?

 

[CaseyJohnson]

Thank you for the reply. My issue is I have three skulls but only one was done by a taxidermist other two aren’t. Do I need any import license?

I guess that’s a question for a taxidermist.

 

[Covert]

Apologies.
Should have read , CITES?

 

[CaseyJohnson]

Apologies.
Should have read , CITES?

CITES is only for endangered and protected species. There are definitely certain ones that you can hunt that cannot be brought back. However, if they are not on the list (Appendix 1) on the CITES website, they do not require a permit.

Thanks for the additional thoughts. A guy definitely wouldn’t want to bring back one of these protected animals without the proper paperwork.

 

[Cootmeurer]

Please don’t use here say to plan you trophy import/export.

Black bear is covered by CITES if the trophy is exported. There USFWS website ( 3-200-28: Export of Trophies by Hunters or Taxidermists under CITES | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) provides the details. Likewise, importing trophies into the US without the appropriate USDA and USFWS paperwork and permits is not legal.
Yes, you can get away with sticking them in your bags sometimes, but that is also a way to have them confiscated.

All trophies coming into the US must enter through a designated port of entry.

I should also mention most US states are part of a compact that will enforce no-hunting bans in those states as well as the state where a violator was found guilty and punished with a fine and loss of privileges. Don’t be that guy. Canada also takes a dim view of wildlife crimes committed in the states.

 

[A Guy Out West]

Really what you need to know is which taxidermist you will use. Find one now and tell him you will want him to ship it to the UK. Any reputable and experienced taxidermist will be able to take care of it without you needing to worry about it. Next, be in the best physical shape you can possibly be in. Since your hunting in May, I assume you will be spot and stalking. We refer to Idaho as the land that is standing on its end. Wickedly steep mountains, best be ready for that. Bring a predator call, once you get into a likely area, use it. Mr. Big just might come loping along looking for the wounded rabbit making the fuss. Use enough gun, be ready for long shots. Black bears are not too hard to kill, the range may be long though. Since you didn’t mention a guide, guess you won’t be baiting, spot and stalk is a lot more fun anyway. Not sure about their baiting laws. A honey burn can be a good idea too. Put honey in a can and lite a can of stereo under it and the smell will draw any bears in the area if the wind is in your favor. Last I looked, my state does not consider that baiting, some states prohibit bait hunting. I’ve hunted deer in Idaho a few times, a wonderful place. Good luck.

 

[Stew1803]

Really what you need to know is which taxidermist you will use. Find one now and tell him you will want him to ship it to the UK. Any reputable and experienced taxidermist will be able to take care of it without you needing to worry about it. Next, be in the best physical shape you can possibly be in. Since your hunting in May, I assume you will be spot and stalking. We refer to Idaho as the land that is standing on its end. Wickedly steep mountains, best be ready for that. Bring a predator call, once you get into a likely area, use it. Mr. Big just might come loping along looking for the wounded rabbit making the fuss. Use enough gun, be ready for long shots. Black bears are not too hard to kill, the range may be long though. Since you didn’t mention a guide, guess you won’t be baiting, spot and stalk is a lot more fun anyway. Not sure about their baiting laws. A honey burn can be a good idea too. Put honey in a can and lite a can of stereo under it and the smell will draw any bears in the area if the wind is in your favor. Last I looked, my state does not consider that baiting, some states prohibit bait hunting. I’ve hunted deer in Idaho a few times, a wonderful place. Good luck.

Much appreciated!
It will be spot and stalk yes, and I've found a taxidermist who reckons he can help.

Getting into shape as we speak, but I'm regularly in the hills here in Scotland so hopefully I won't be too burst over there.