Taxidermy Issue

[Matt8660]

Just wondering if I could get some guidance or advice on how to handle a situation that I have just been aware of. The taxidermy company that I am using for a bunch of different plains game animals has gave me and update with pictures the other day of all the animals they have began mounting. Everything looked good until I seen a picture of the Kudu shoulder mount and realized that isn't my kudu I shot at all. I was so confident because the Kudu I did shoot was very distinctive since it had a wide frame that flared out. I mentioned this to the lady that had sent me the email with the photos and update and attached pictures of my actual Kudu from my hunt to show her the difference. Her response was "My team and I are busy with a full reference report for you regarding your kudu" Now I am not totally sure what that really means and maybe they just made a honest mistake but since being my first time to africa and dealing with this I am concerned and not sure how to respond. Any advice would be great. I don't want to pay to have someone else kudu sent to me.
Thanks

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I presume this is the taxidermist your safari operator uses? Time to get him involved. My first taxidermist sent me someone else's blue wildebeest backskin. Obviously a cow and it was shot in the back laying on the ground. Mine was an old bull shot through both shoulders. I complained and they made me a "deal" on the next safari's trophies. Some deal! All of those were messed up!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Can you show us the photos?

 

[Matt8660]

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Looks like the idiots put the horns on the wrong side. Switch them and I think it will look more like what it was on the ground. I think the angle of photo makes the horns look smaller than they really are.

 

[Matt8660]

Looks like the idiots put the horns on the wrong side. Switch them and I think it will look more like what it was on the ground.

lol I will mention that to her

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

its def not your horns, also swopping the horns around wont work.

 

[Matt8660]

its def not your horns, also swopping the horns around wont work.

That was my thoughts also. Will see what they come back with after they do there report

 

[Stetsonham]

100% not your kudu.

 

[375Fox]

Let taxidermy get back to you, but if your outfitter recommended the taxidermy let them know now. If it doesn’t get resolved ask them to get involved for you. That’s clearly not your kudu.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Not your Kudu.

Mix ups happen.

Send them the field photo and ask them to send you a picture of your Kudu in process when they find it.

I had the wrong Gemsbok shipped all the way to my home. Thankfully, the taxidermist paid for the repatriation and the other hunter got his trophy and I got my trophy eventually.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It's a shitty photo from studio taken at a poor angle. But look closely at the bases. Contour of the end of horn does not match contour of the skull. Here is one of my skulls on the wall.

Also, the extraordinary long distance between first and second twist on right horn seems to match what I'm seeing on left horn in the on ground photo. And finally, switch the horns and then tips on both will be facing out like they are in the photo from the bush. A better photo in the studio taken from same angle as on the ground I believe will confirm the horns are yours.

I always have PH measure the length of horns in salt shed and ensure he writes the measurements on the taxidermist order to prevent "mistakes" happening along the way. And as soon as I am contacted by taxidermist for deposit, they get photos of every animal on the ground.

 

[Hunt anything]

Definitely not the same bull, tips are completely different. I would wait on a response from the taxidermist and proceed from there.
When it’s all over you need to let members know what company it is, whether it comes out positive or negative.
The taxidermy companies I’ve dealt with in Africa have always addressed any concerns rapidly and efficiently, hopefully yours will as well.