Dean Heller has a problem…..

Steve Tetreault

15 years ago

It’s one of Rep. Dean Heller’s prized possessions, the trophy head of a bull elk he brought down in Lincoln County 14 years ago that still ranks in the top 100 ever bagged in Nevada.

After it hung in his Carson City home, he decided to have it shipped to Washington to be displayed to visiting constituents.

Only one problem: It does not fit through the door of his office.

So there it was on Wednesday sitting on a dolly in the hallway of the Cannon Building, its antlers poking through a plastic covering. Antler-to-antler it measured roughly 50 inches, seven points to each antler.

Passersby slowed to check it out.

"Wow," said Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., who stopped to count the antler points.

How will Heller get it into the office?

"That seems to be the question," one aide said.

"It will get in, one way or another," said his press aide Stewart Bybee. Heller was preparing to call a taxidermist for guidance.

Bybee said House rules require official workmen to handle the move-in. If the task requires outside help that will result in added expense, Heller will pay from his pocket, as Bybee said he did to have the piece shipped to DC.

"None of this is at taxpayer expense," Bybee said.