REPORT: Trophaendienste Taxidermy Review

DoubleLunger

AH enthusiast
Joined
Feb 9, 2017
Messages
444
Reaction score
581
Location
Northern VA
Media
151
Hunting reports
Africa
2
USA/Canada
3
Member of
Virginia Bowhunters Association
Hello my fellow hunters. I just thought that I would write a review on my trophies that I have finally received from Trophaendienste Taxidermy. I have to say that I am mostly satisfied with the outcome of their work yet there were a couple mishaps that I would have rather avoided if possible. I do understand that not all things can be perfect. Especially when dealing with a rather busy business).

Their taxidermy work on both shoulder mounts were excellent. This certainly did not appear to be crafted unprofessionally and I am very happy with them. The wait and money spent on this work was certainly worth it.

The hides had no flaws either and I am extremely happy with them as well.

The skulls all turned out great except for my Black Wildebeest skull which appears to have white spray paint on one of the horns(possibly from when they were spray painting the skull they were not paying attention to where their paint was going). This is certainly unfortunate yet I did not lose any sleep over it. I have contacted Trophaendienste Taxidermy in regards to this manner and am waiting to hear back on what they wish to do in order to fix this problem. I will post their response once I receive it.

Although I am very happy with all of my trophies that were done via Trophaendienste Taxidermy(besides the mishap with the spray paint), I do have a complaint about the shipping service that was used by the name of "African Shipping Services". Due to living on the east coast and International Airport of Dulles(IAD) being the closest international airport, I was told by "African Shipping Services" that this was an approved port of entry and that I could act as my own broker and would be able to pick up the shipment myself. Come to find out that when my shipment arrived at IAD, that this is not an U.S. Fish and Wildlife approved port of entry and that my shipment can not be cleared at this port. Therefore I had to hire a broker to deal with this situation. After almost two weeks of my shipment being stored at IAD I was hit with a hefty bill of $1,102. My broker was extremely helpful in getting my shipment moved to an approved port of entry yet this surprise of an expensive bill was not to my liking. I have since then contacted African Shipping Services in regards to this matter. Their first response was "it was your choice to act as your own broker". After asking them what their company plans to do in order to make things right, I am still awaiting a response and I plan to post an update with the outcome.

The trip itself and outcome of the work now has me very satisfied and they look great (in my honest opinion) yet I would not recommend using Trophaendienste Taxidermy unless they choose to use a different shipping service than African Shipping Service as I would certainly hate for anyone else to have to pay such a hefty surprise bill as well as deal with the headache as I did.

IMG_9715.JPG

IMG_9720.JPG

IMG_9718.JPG

IMG_9721.JPG

IMG_9723.JPG

IMG_9760.JPG

IMG_9724.JPG
IMG_9727.JPG
IMG_9728.JPG
IMG_9729.JPG
IMG_9730.JPG
IMG_9748.JPG
IMG_9782.JPG
IMG_9784.JPG
IMG_9785.JPG
IMG_9803.JPG
IMG_9804.JPG
IMG_9805.JPG
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry to hear about your import troubles. I have always used coppersmith to avoid such problems. That looks like a neat photo album in he last picture. Any details? I am booked with khomas highland for top 10 in July/August.
 
Thanks Von. You shouldn’t be disappointed with Khomas Highland Hunting Safaris(assuming that’s who you’re booked with). I had the time of my life with them. Wrote a review on them as well if you haven’t read it yet.
As far as the photo album goes....I just ordered a cheap leather photo album on amazon. Once received I glued the two patches(given to me while at the KHHS lodge) to the front of the album with fabric glue. Then of course had my photos from the trip printed up and placed them in the album. Just seemed like a cool thing to have in the great room on the coffee table
 
Sorry to hear about your import troubles. I have always used coppersmith to avoid such problems. That looks like a neat photo album in he last picture. Any details? I am booked with khomas highland for top 10 in July/August.

1CFB125C-38AF-4411-825A-76EB6D62E2FD.jpeg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have done albums before but the patches were a nice touch. Gave it that custom look.

Thanks for the inspiration
 
Yeah I live near Dulles, they ship into there, then get trucked to Baltimore to be cleared and the shipped back to me on a truck. My broker handles it but it is a logistical nightmare.
 
Yeah I live near Dulles, they ship into there, then get trucked to Baltimore to be cleared and the shipped back to me on a truck. My broker handles it but it is a logistical nightmare.
Extremely accurate statement my friend. I don’t know why they don’t know this on the other side of the pond but you would think that they would have this info ingraved every time they were to ship to the US
 
Congrats on getting the rest of the memories home.
 
Work looks great, Love that Kudu.
Hate to hear about your troubles. Still in the middle of mine. Emiac has had my crate and several family members since September 2018- still sitting in JBerg. Losing my mind waiting. - Hunt was August of 2017.
 
Work looks great, Love that Kudu.
Hate to hear about your troubles. Still in the middle of mine. Emiac has had my crate and several family members since September 2018- still sitting in JBerg. Losing my mind waiting. - Hunt was August of 2017.

Thank you. Hoping you get yours soon
 
........... Emiac has had my crate and several family members since September 2018- still sitting in JBerg. ..............

Holy crap. What's the explanation on that one?
 
African Shipping Services should know exactly where anything can be shipped and cleared around the world. It's their job.
Washing their hands of the issue would leave me livid, If I relied on their advice.:mad:
If you don't know the answer, say so.
 
Sorry about the extra cost and frustration, but you did really well on your hunt! Glad they’re all home now!
So now that your last trip is closed, when are you going back:ROFLMAO::rolleyes:!
 
The shipper should have known better. I recently had a shipment land in Atlanta on the Delta flight, forwarded by truck to Baltimore and cleared there. It was a piece of cake.
 
Holy crap. What's the explanation on that one?
There hasn’t been a very good one. In October they had some sort of work stoppage/walk out. That was the excuse through mid-November. Then we got the usual “not much happens over here in December”. Then while we were at DSC, we heard the manager had just left without notice. The new manager contacted my Uncle in mid January and had our crates but no communication since.
Our outfitter has been over here since New Year doing the shows, but I talked to him this week in Oklahoma and he says he is going to get it straight this week as soon as he lands in JoBerg.
 
@DoubleLunger I have to admit now, when I read you and your dad’s reports I saw your busted horn Kudu and thought “dang it, that dude would be awesome if that horn wasn’t broke.” Now seeing him on the wall he is freakin’ cool. That will be an awesome memory of a great hunt with your dad from now on. Congrats
 
African Shipping Services should know exactly where anything can be shipped and cleared around the world. It's their job.
Washing their hands of the issue would leave me livid, If I relied on their advice.:mad:
If you don't know the answer, say so.


I certainly agree. I shouldn’t have to pay for their mistakes
 
Sorry about the extra cost and frustration, but you did really well on your hunt! Glad they’re all home now!
So now that your last trip is closed, when are you going back:ROFLMAO::rolleyes:!

Thanks Ridge! To be honest, between this and the airline losing my bow, as well as the cost of everything, it probably won’t happen for a number of years if any
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,624
Messages
1,131,353
Members
92,679
Latest member
HongPilgri
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Impact shots from the last hunt

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top