Trophaendienste Taxidermy Namibia

bowhunter1

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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.

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.
 
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 donï½´t think about saving money. If you let your trophies shoulder- or lifesize mounted, you wonï½´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't 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
 
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.
 
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.
 

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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).


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
 

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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
 
TAXIDERMY CHOICE - ADVISE

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!
 
This is an old thread but I just got notice that the taxidermist we selected is starting work on our trophies taken August 2013.

We decided to use Trophaendienste Taxidermy following our hunt last August. They were recommended by the professional hunter we used and we have great faith in him. My wife and I also met the owner of Trophaendienste at his establishment and he seemed professional to us as well.

He has a sizeable operation and the mounts in his shop looked good to me. I am admittedly not an expert at taxidermy but I am also not terribly fussy either. :)

We wired the deposit and are awaiting confirmation of that. I will keep posting about our progress if there is interest.
 
I used them in 2001 and was quite pleased. Kudu, Oryx and jackal. I had a very good local taxidermist look at the mounts they had done, and his assesment was "good commercial quality work". I used them again in 2006 and it was vastly different. Took well over a year....15 months to get work back...little communication with them. I heard they had some major labor meltdown that year. It may have changed hands since, but I would not use them again. I have hunted Namibia several times since, always using a US taxidermist........but one problem has arisen.........capes are poorly prepared. I think if they know the work will be done elsewhere, and there may be no immediate feedback, the field work can suffer. Local taxidermist told me there were "22 holes cut in your springbok cape"..have a good talk with your PH beforehand, as his livelihood is on the line......good luck. ..............FWB
 
Can't imagine getting trophies in a cardboard box. The post above from Kowas Hunting Safaris makes good sense. I have not used the company mentioned but have used Capricorn in Polokwane RSA twice. As mentioned I met the owner and he fave me detailed photos of my work in progress.
 
This is an old thread but I just got notice that the taxidermist we selected is starting work on our trophies taken August 2013.

We decided to use Trophaendienste Taxidermy following our hunt last August. They were recommended by the professional hunter we used and we have great faith in him. My wife and I also met the owner of Trophaendienste at his establishment and he seemed professional to us as well.

He has a sizeable operation and the mounts in his shop looked good to me. I am admittedly not an expert at taxidermy but I am also not terribly fussy either. :)

We wired the deposit and are awaiting confirmation of that. I will keep posting about our progress if there is interest.
 
Hi All…

I gave decide to jump in on this post without a lot to offer, yet. I hunted in Namibia with my son recently and after careful consideration decide to use Trophaendienste based on a few things. They were one of two recommended from the PH we were using, I had found a couple of good reviews on the web about them and I went to their shop and liked what I saw. It’s a good sized operation, with an incredible amount of commerce hanging on the walls waiting to be shipped. I would not say I am taxidermy pro, but my brother in-law brought back a warthog from Zimbabwe a few years back and I could defiantly see the off set eyes in that mount. I noticed no such distortions at Trophaendienste shop it was clean, well run and I was toured through the entire operation. For the record the other company was very difficult to reach and didn’t return emails or calls.

The final reason I made this selection was I had an opportunity to meet the owner Louw. One of the animals on our list when we hunted was a Giraffe. I am proud to say I was successful and harvesting one of these monsters. Here’s what reinforced my decision to use this company; a short period of time after we dropped the animal, a truck with a large plastic crate on the back showed up. My PH Michael, from Uitspan Hunting info@uitspanhunting.com indicated that was the taxidermist I had selected. A gentleman dressed in tan colored safari shirt and shorts, he was sporting the typical hunting type hat with company name and logo - this logo was on shirt as well. Introductions were looked after, lots of chat about the magnificence of the whole event and on to the business of field dressing the giraffe. When it’s all said and done Louw’s clean, sharp looking company attire is now that of the local butchery. He is smeared in blood and dirt and grime from helping in the process. There was no hesitation, he jumped in lending a hand and was of a genuine aid to the whole process. This is not a guy who is afraid to get his hands dirty.

Where I come from this type of customer involvement goes a long way in saying this company cares about the end product they will ship to me. He mentioned due to the thickness of these hides, great care has to be taken in the early handing of them. He wanted to get it off the field and cooling as soon as possible and start the tanning process. That is why I feel confident about why I decided to select them.

That’s the how and the why; I just got the call from the shipping agent, (Peter de Villiers Pronto Global Air & Ocean Freight). The moment my son and I have been waiting for, we are just waiting for the quote on the final shipping costs as they needed our final destination address. I have seen photos of the crates and there are three of them. In total, there are eleven animals and some other related treasures. 2-Kudu, 2-Gemboc, 1-Eland, 1-Mountain Zebra – pedestal mount, 1-Impala, 1-Wart Hog all shoulder mounts. 1-Baboon and 1-Duiker, these were full body mounts and 1-Giraffe, shoulder mount from a floor base.

I will keep all that are interested in this post as we move forward in getting our trophies home. I have not included the dollars and cents of this yet. I will do that once we have our trophies in our homes and have had the appropriate amount of bragging parties that go with their arrival. I will then deliver the final tally and my comments on the whole experience of it all. One other reason I felt that confident in choosing Trophaendienste, was I knew I’d be back. As this was going to be a trip of a lifetime and I had been warned my may others I’d be back. At the end of day one, I had declared to my son, “I’m coming back”. I will be back in April / May of 2016. So, the way I see it, if by some quirky chance I am not delivered what I saw in Trophaendienste’s’ shop I will be back to have satisfaction. I just don’t believe after all of their efforts and communications that they are the kind of operation that does shoddy work.

Des
 

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