RE: cut the rack in half to pack it out ( elk )
It's pretty common to split caribou antlers to fly out. With elk I've never had to---I live in Colorado.
Pretty sure you are talking about flying them home---not out the woods. Don't think it would be a big deal to split the rack. I think Frontier Airlines isn't talking antlers this year. Airlines are getting to be a big pain in the butt. CB