Trophaendienste Taxidermy Namibia

I'am doing a bowhunt with KOWA HUNTING Safaris in 2013 and I'am going to be using Trophaendienste Taxidermy in Namibia to do my Trophies that I will be harvesting.
Can any one tell me what there work is like.

Let me help you out and make this real simple........... Get your work done back home!

Take it from someone who got screwed by getting everything done in africa. Big mistake. Your opportunity for recourse is non-existent if you get your work done overseas.

I did not listen to my friend when he tried to tell me what I am telling you. Get the dip and pack done and bring it back home. You won't regret it.

Ask your PH/outfitter. Go see their operation. I don't know these people but can tell you that I have had great mounts done by 5 different outfits in SA. They know what the animals look like. Generally have found that the total cost is about half of shipping them back for mounting. We have all heard of horror stories but these are the exception. If you are going to have them done over there don't get pushed on the freight. Less than container and as fit air are cheap, you get them on the carriers schedule, and usually not fast.

Originally Posted by bowhunter1

I'am doing a bowhunt with KOWA hUNTING Safaris in 2013 and I'am going to be using Tophaendienste Taxidermy in Namibia to do my Trophies that I will be harvesting.
Can any one tell me what there work is like.

Originally Posted by saeng101

They know what the animals look like.

That's no speciality of african taxidermists, look at some crap coming from there, and they all "know" their game...

A good taxidermist can deal with game from all over the world. He knows anatomy, movements, and all that need to be known.

Go to the taxidermist, look how they work and if YOU are satisfied with their quality, your choice! But donｴt think about saving money. If you let your trophies shoulder- or lifesize mounted, you wonｴt save any money because of shipping costs.

I had a Red hartebeest, gemsbuck and mountain zebra done by them. The work was of exceptional quality. Even the way it was packed was impressive. Neatly wrapped with black plastic and the open space inside the crated filled in of a polysister type product. Must have been injected in a fluid for then set to make sure that there will be now movement. And it is light to! But seeing the outstanding work done by USA taxidermist I would not be in to minds to have it done on your own home soil. Correspondence and logistics so much easier I would imagine especially if something goes wrong. I had my word done by Trophydienste about 12 years ago and in the meanwhile there was some a bad thread about them. So as all things nothing is more constant the change. It would by sad if they don稚 deliver the same quality on work today as back then.

bowhunter1 some of these guys are using one bad experience as a reason to not have your trophies done in Africa thats like saying if you have one bad PH/Outfitter there all no good and it's just not true. I had mine done in South Africa and they are the best in my trophy room even better then the ones done by taxidermist here and as far as the saving when I did my math I saved about 2000 dollars even with the shipping I got my trophies back in less then 10 months where it is a 1 to 2 year wait here in the states. When talking to the taxidermist as to why there prices are so high compared to africa they told me that only a few tannery's will take African capes due to the Dip&pack and the tannery's can't guarantee they can re-hydrate the cape properly due to the salts and that may just be and excuse for the higher prices they may figure that we can afford Africa so we can afford higher Taxidermy prices don't know that just the way I look at it. If your PH/Outfitter recommends them then have them take you by their shop to see their work if you don't like it then go ahead and do the dip & pack you really dont have to make that decision until you get there just be prepared to put a deposit down should you decide to let them do the work. Good luck with your research and your hunt. Bob

I used Trophaendienste in 2008 for a Gemsbuck shoulder mount and a bunch of euro mounts. The euro mounts were great but I was not happy with the Gemsbuck. My biggest complaint was it was that it wasn't my cape but the quality was average at best. I ended up taking the mount to my local taxidermist and having him do some touchup repairs.

I must say they were very good to work with. The e-mails were answered and thework was completed in a timely manner. When I complained about the Gemsbuck theya 50% refund or a free Gemsbuck if I returned to Namibia and used their services again.The packing I received was not as good as the previous post. It was packed in a large cardboard box and had shredded newspaper for most of the padding. A forklift had punched a hole through the box and bent back an ear of the Gemsbuck but everything else was fine.

Their shop is very easy to visit as it's located between Wind Hoek and the airport. They have a great store for you to do some shopping at.

This was my experience with Trophaendieste. If I had it to do again I would have my local taxidermist do the work instead. Hope this helps.
Randy

Originally Posted by bowhunter1

I'am doing a bowhunt with KOWA hUNTING Safaris in 2013 and I'am going to be using Tophaendienste Taxidermy in Namibia to do my Trophies that I will be harvesting.
Can any one tell me what there work is like.

bowhunter1, Not sure if "do" means mount or not. I'll assume so.

This is the kind of post that nightmares are made of.
Apparently, decision made and oh yeah, are they any good?

Just bringing the raw materials "home" won't save you from the proper homework either.

I have a Whitetail trophy that is "listening for worms". (Created when a taxidermist stretches a cape over a form that is too big and creates a look of the ears pointing down to the ground) This product was done by supposedly the "best guy around". In fact the work was done by an underling in the shop who was just learning. I got to pay the high end "best" price though. Lesson learned. Shoddy work can be produced anywhere.


Do not use any taxidermist anywhere until you have seen their current work first hand and know who is completing the work. Businesses change hands, change workers, etc.

I had an issue, that is well documented here on AH, with a taxidermist that made good on his shipping mistake. So, you can positively resolve issues overseas with reputable businesses.

Ask for some pictures now, close ups of current work and go and visit them. If you do not or can not spend the time to do the homework before or when you are there, then bring it home and do the research here.

It is a lot of work to do all the checking that is required to make certain you have a good end result.
Good luck and do your part so we do not have to read a post about bad taxidermy.

Originally Posted by Nevada Wapati

The packing I received was not as good as the previous post. It was packed in a large cardboard box and had shredded newspaper for most of the padding.

Wow! cardboard box I've never seen that on mounts. Mine came in a very sturdy wooden box that I later turned in to a shooting house for the wife.

You are taking a good step in asking your question.

First. Have a plan and stick to it. Check different taxidermist in Africa and America that specialize in African mounts.

Check prices. Do the math on dip and pack, Shipping & importer costs. for both raw and completed work.

Review post on here about the quality that some have received both good and poor.

Take your field measurements to make sure you are getting your animals. sometimes yo do not and then what is your directions you will take.

Have any taxidermist provide you with some names of clients both good and poor. Then check them out.

Remember that Cats are the most difficult to do and if a taxidermist can do these very well then that is a very good recommendation.

If it were me i would find one of the best taxidermist in the US and ask them who they recommend for dip and pack and shipping plus there importer and use them.

I never have all my animals mounted and I do some European mounts and do the very best trophies in shoulder mounts or pedestal mounts. Any Extra capes you have left over are always welcomed by good taxidermist (some money back).

Originally Posted by bowhunter1

I'am doing a bowhunt with KOWA hUNTING Safaris in 2013 and I'am going to be using Tophaendienste Taxidermy in Namibia to do my Trophies that I will be harvesting.
Can any one tell me what there work is like.

I used Trophaendienste in 2008, for a number of mounts. I can say it's not worth the money I paid. The work was average at best. The horns don't fit well. The capes shrank on the mounts. The ears are done poorly. I would not use them.

Most must have read my article of my lynx hunt. Here is the finished product. I think it is clear why I have chosen them. Taxidermy Africa in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape

Originally Posted by andriesdeklerk

Most must have read my article of my lynx hunt. Here is the finished product. I think it is clear why I have chosen them. Taxidermy Africa in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape

Nice work Congrats really like the Bushbuck and the Lynx.

Nice mounts i like them

My honest advise regarding the choice of taxidermist, is as follows:

- Request a list of clients from the previous year from your outfitter, indicating the clients whom have made use of the taxidermist which is considered.

- Take the time to contact each client asking the following questions:

a) did the taxidermist keep to the initial time of delivery indicated originally by the taxidermist?
b) when the taxidermist received the trophies and trophy parts from the outfitter, did the taxidermist akcnowledge receipt of the trophies (and trophy parts) received?
c) was the original tags provided by the client, on the trophies and trophy parts which was delivered by the Outfitter to the taxidermist?
d) was an order open upon receipt of the trophies?
e) was all the trophy parts as it was delivered by the Outfitter, reflected on this order?
f) was the instructions reflected on this order, the instructions that the clients provided?
g) was the contact address reflected correctly on the order?
h) did the taxidermist keep the client informed of the status of the trophies?
i) was their frequent communication from the taxidermist, informing the client of the progress of the trophies?
j) did the taxidermist provided a written quotation?
k) when the taxidermist request payment, did they provide an invoice which is easy understandible?
l) when payment has been made to the taxidermist, did the taxidermist acknowledge receipt of the payment.
m) did the taxidermist provide the client with an updated statement, reflecting the payment details?
n) did the taxidermist provide e-mails or telephone call feedback when issues of concern has been expressed?
o) after payment has been received, what is the time period that collapsed until the shipment has been handed over to the shipper?
p) was the shipping address reflected ON THE SHIPMENT the same address as the shipping address reflected on the tags (which was attached to the trophies and trophy parts by the Outfitter)?
q) was special attention being given to SPECIAL REQUESTS when it comes to the mounting of the trophies (longer shoulder part, but backwards / turned / prominant veins, etc, etc)?

This list could go on and on... The bottom line of this advise, choose an Taxidermist:
- in your country;
- where you could "stop by to see for yourself" during the taxidermist process;
- if something goes wrong during the process, you deal with someone whom you could perhaps - WORST CASE SCENARIO - take legal action against in your own country.

BE AWARE:
- Quality of work can change in a short period of time.
- Taxidermist is as good as their last shipment.

ADVISE:
- Ask for REFERENCES...!

REQUEST:
- Please share your own experience with others to make it possible for others not to make the same mistakes again...!

or

...to make the right choises!