The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance has gotten a policy reversal from United Airlines, so antlers and horns can again be checked as baggage.

In a news release, the Columbas, Ohio-based alliance said, “Sportsmen from coast to coast were enraged when it became known United Airlines had initiated a policy preventing passengers from carrying on or checking antlers or animal horns of any kind.”

Bowing to the sportsmen’s protest, United Airlines responded:

“As you have recently contacted us, I wanted you to be the first to know that we have heard our customers’ feedback about our Antler and Animal Horn policy, and are responding.� Soon we will begin accepting Antlers and Animal Horns as checked baggage again.

“As many of you may recall or have seen on our web site, in October 2008 we stopped accepting Antlers and Animal Horns because of the damage the tips caused to the cargo section of the aircraft and to the luggage belonging to our other guests.

“We will soon publish new requirements � and ones we previously did not have � about packaging and cleaning Antlers and Animal Horns to ensure their safe, clean transport. These travel requirements will also provide information on the size of Antlers and Animal Horns we can accept based on the type of aircraft being flown (i.e., traditional jet vs. a regional jet) and the special handling fee, which we previously had in place and is similar to other items that require special care.”

The Sportmen’s Alliance advises hunters to, “Stay tuned for further updates on the baggage section of united.com.”