Taxidermy Question

I'm going to schedule a trip to Africa for either the summer of '13 or '14 depending on if I get a new job this summer. If I do get a new job the trip will have to wait until '14 since I doubt I'll be able to take vacation days during my first year with a new company.

Anyway, aside from that tidbit of info my question is in regards to taxidermy. I have a list of 10-11 animals I would like to keep my eyes open for on my first trip but ideally I would really like to take at least 6-7 of these animals. 2-3 of these species I would like to do full body mounts of (Spotted Hyena, Baboon, Caracal).

What are done to the skins of animals once they are taken to the taxidermist in Africa before they are shipped to the taxidermist here in the states who will be doing the mount work? Could I have half the taxidermy work done once I return from the trip and save half of the skins/mounts to be done six months after I return? I don't have any knowledge of the taxidermy process so this is all new to me.

Thanks!

Rich

Prior to leaving the USA find your taxidermist and who they use for importing your trophy's into the USA. Also see who they recommend for dip and pack and shippers out of the country you are hunting. Obtain your tags from them for Skulls and hides and some extras for animals you will also take.

Make sure you take out the insurance on your trophy's.

First you shoot your animals let the PH know what kind of mount you want and then they skin and salt the hides and skulls in camp at the skinning shed.

You have a Dip and Pack company lined up through your taxidermist in the USA.

Provide your tag to your PH to be placed on skulls and hides.

Your PH delivers your skulls and hides to the dip and pack company.

The dip and pack company does there thing and then crates your trophy list.

Then delivered your crate to a shipper and then it is on to US customs and then your importer and taxidermist.

If you are having the final work done here in the states, you need to have the "dip and pack" done first. This is the preservation process to get the hides back here to the states. Still takes several months. Once here your taxidermist will take care of them for you. As far as waiting...dip and pack is prob 6months till you get your skins from Africa(give or take a few months. Could be as long as a year). The taxi could prob keep an extra 6 months? All depends on your taxi and his schedule?

Originally Posted by James.Grage

Rich

Prior to leaving the USA find your taxidermist and who they use for importing your trophy's into the USA. Also see who they recommend for dip and pack and shippers out of the country you are hunting. Obtain your tags from them for Skulls and hides and some extras for animals you will also take.

Make sure you take out the insurance on your trophy's.

First you shoot your animals let the PH know what kind of mount you want and then they skin and salt the hides and skulls in camp at the skinning shed.

You have a Dip and Pack company lined up through your taxidermist in the USA.

Provide your tag to your PH to be placed on skulls and hides.

Your PH delivers your skulls and hides to the dip and pack company.

The dip and pack company does there thing and then crates your trophy list.

Then delivered your crate to a shipper and then it is on to US customs and then your importer and taxidermist.

Guess James types faster than me .
Yeah what he said!

That is somewhat good to hear that I would have a few months to save some more cash towards the taxidermy after getting back!

Depending on where you go you can have the taxidermy done over there also. BUT you need to be very careful who does it as there are wide variations in quality. Doing it there and shipping the trophies back here you "might" save 15% total. I had 4 mounts done in South Africa last year, got them back in less than 6 months and saved about 15%, The work is very good by this company. I've had others done both here and there that were not as good.

Originally Posted by Cliffy

Depending on where you go you can have the taxidermy done over there also. BUT you need to be very careful who does it as there are wide variations in quality. Doing it there and shipping the trophies back here you "might" save 15% total. I had 4 mounts done in South Africa last year, got them back in less than 6 months and saved about 15%, The work is very good by this company. I've had others done both here and there that were not as good.

You can find amazing taxidermy and crap on both sides of the ocean.

Relive Africa Taxidermy (South Africa) - Local Business - Port Elizabeth, South Africa | Facebook

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

You can find amazing taxidermy and crap on both sides of the ocean.

Relive Africa Taxidermy (South Africa) - Local Business - Port Elizabeth, South Africa | Facebook

What he said for sure