I understand the new laws about crossing state lines. I get what they are trying to prevent. But it bothers me how it effects friends that I give my business to. I took the buck I killed the other day to a taxidermist I’ve never used In TN. I always have given my business to A friend In AL. Well after I give him the deer and sign some stuff we got to talking and he said that this year he is swamped, said 90% of the deer he has been getting are from AL hunters, hunting in TN. Which awesome that’s good for you. Then he mentioned the guy I usually take mine to in AL and said he wasn’t doing so great. Has had like 9 bucks come in so far. He is a great taxidermist too. Well after I got home I started thinking of how dang lazy I am. I should have cut the skull plate off, bagged up the cape and brought them to AL. Clean skull plate and just a cape are legal I believe. I’m still thinking about going back and getting my buck and doing that. Anyways it’s nothing against any laws etc. just sad to see a good ole fella losing business but it is a dog eat dog world. But I know I’ll be transferring any other deer I want mounted back to my guy in AL, in any legal way from now on.

I talked to a taxidermist today. He’s got several out of state bucks in. He said guys are getting taxidermists in the other states to cape them, then bringing the cape and horns back home. He also said he has caped several Alabama bucks for Tennessee hunters. He charges $50 to cape one.

Yea that’s kind of why I made the post, I felt bad for not doing that to my buck and taking it to AL. Dang, the processor here only asks for $20 for a cape. Like I said, I think I may go back to the taxidermist and get my buck back. That’s interesting about the TN guys buying AL licenses. I only know of a few that live in TN and hunt a lot in AL and I’m one of them, most of what I see it’s the other way around.

Yep, I know 20+ bucks from others states at AL taxi’s. All were caped and skull capped by other taxi’s for $50 or less.

It's not just taxidermists that are feeling the crunch. Alabama processors are hurting too. We are now forced to use a processor in TN and just hoping that we like the results. And don't say "process it yourself" because I don't have the time even if I had the equipment.

I do a few skull mounts every year. I don't make much of any money on em but I enjoy doing it. 2 years ago I had a lot of deer come to the shop from up north. As of now, nothing. Folks I know that hunt up there and have killed bucks every year haven't killed a thing. They are having a bad year this year. Wonder why?

I caped 4 in nebraska. Not that hard if u spend $20 and get the right tools.

I'll do it in tn also. All over nothing. Except according to some on here the sky is falling.

I was talking to an Alabama guy who was hunting in KY and he said that if you want to bring just the skull back, you can't clean it up yourself unless you go to taxidermist (or maybe processor) and do it there, or you have to pay them to do it.

It’s not that hard to cape one yourself. All you need is a knife, a flathead screwdriver, and a little knowledge that can be obtained by watching a YouTube video. Just be careful around the preorbital glands. It would also be helpful to take an eye to nose measurement before caping.

Why not just debone it? It takes 30 minutes.

Agree, maybe 20 min.

Some of the big guys are setting up secondary locations to keep the oos business. Seems to be working well for the ones I know. They've even increased business...

If y’all are so worried about the Processors and Taxidermists, why not just pay both....the ones in TN to properly prepare the meat and capes/skulls for legal Transport and then your ‘favorite’ one back here in AL?

Spread the Wealth, boys!!!
MAGA

P.S. - Don’t bring the BS sob story about how you cannot afford it if you are buying Out-of-State licenses, traveling and lodging in another State and can afford the Time to do so. And, save the ‘Great Conservationist’ saving the herd from starving due to overpopulation story for the Show and Tell at your kids 3rd Grade PTO Meeting.

It is just another angle the whine and moan.

Hog wild, I hope your post wasn’t meant towards me, if it was, you misunderstood what I typed. All I was saying it that I should have caped it and taken it to my friend. I called the guy I dropped it off at and he said it was fine, he already took the skull cap off etc. so it’s good to go. I’ll make sure to do it myself from now on. Your “bs sob story” talk has nothing to do with my original post. Where I’m at, state lines businesses are effected more than where you are and the Mississippi state line.

I took it that you simply did not know.

But, honestly, that is not a real good excuse. All you had to was ask!!

I am honestly just sick of all of the Negativity and ‘what ifs’ and ‘could haves’ from all the whiners and non-conformists.
Truth is, the hunting is pretty good right here in AL.
Supply and Demand makes it expensive. And, while that is a shame; not much I can do about it but pay, or sit home! But, the sky has not fallen yet, guys. Come on’

HFTH is losing out too here

Especially since the majority of the 15k or so lbs was from TN.

But let's prevent something that's already here.

I hear ya man, I follow all laws, and have no problem with them. Like I said in my OP, I understand them. I was just posting a small story/experience of a good fella with a small business on the state line. I guess I didn’t word it right but my OP was meant to motivate people to cape and to cut skull plates of their deer so they can take it to whoever they want! I swear I can’t express myself accurately on a keyboard haha!

Clue me in please , what is this new law ? Guess I’m a outlaw

Have to bring back all out of state deer 100% intact only allowed to gut them and need to make sure it is placed in the back of the truck in a way that makes the carcass visible from overhead when crossing back into the state.