First trip to africa trouble with Taxidermy and shipping

Yeah I gotta atleast have the skulls and hides it was hard for me to even think about not using the meat myself im a public land meat hunter so it was hard enough for me to wrap my head around not using the meat of the animal let alone leaving the skull and hide
 
I have heard many times about cost savings using taxidermists there in Africa but most of the work that I have seen is very mediocre. The stuff in the showroom might look great, but the stuff that gets turned out by the guys in the back is not up to the same standards (which can happen here in the US as well btw). I am basing this on observations made quite a few years ago so maybe it has changed? It has also been stated that the production materials available to taxidermists in Africa are not as good as what we have here in the states. Any truth to these statements these days? Has it gotten better? The last point I was given years ago was that the money saved on doing the taxidermy there was ate up on additional shipping charges getting it back to the US... Hopefully I did not offend anyone! Just curios if these rumors were or are still true.
 
JimP said:
your problem there is that each of you need your own crate due to regulations unless you can convince them to just do a single crate in one name.
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Not trying to hijack the thread, but I'm taking my daughter in 2027. Do we need separate crates?
 
doitforthechase321 said:
Yeah I gotta atleast have the skulls and hides it was hard for me to even think about not using the meat myself im a public land meat hunter so it was hard enough for me to wrap my head around not using the meat of the animal let alone leaving the skull and hide
Click to expand...
I'm right there with you on not bringing meat back. I started hunting whitetail near Lake Pleasant in the Adirondacks in the '60's while in high school. Love to put elk, deer, antelope, etc in the freezer. My first trip to Africa was Botswana in 2023, D&P 5 animals, had a kudu shoulder mount done locally here in Denver. Euro skulls were done by me, went to a beauty shop supply house and bought 40 volume peroxide and whitener. Also made my own plaques for mounting skulls. Videos on youtube are helpful. An earlier poster mentioned that you can't combine multiple hunters in shipping. But...I wonder about 2 with same last name. Waiting now to hear about my animals from September/October SA hunt.
 
BGHNTR416 said:
I have heard many times about cost savings using taxidermists there in Africa but most of the work that I have seen is very mediocre. The stuff in the showroom might look great, but the stuff that gets turned out by the guys in the back is not up to the same standards (which can happen here in the US as well btw). I am basing this on observations made quite a few years ago so maybe it has changed? It has also been stated that the production materials available to taxidermists in Africa are not as good as what we have here in the states. Any truth to these statements these days? Has it gotten better? The last point I was given years ago was that the money saved on doing the taxidermy there was ate up on additional shipping charges getting it back to the US... Hopefully I did not offend anyone! Just curios if these rumors were or are still true.
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I've had it done both ways. On my last trip I had things taken care of in South Africa which was cheaper, but the shipping was more. In the end I think that it was a wash except that I had my mounts a full year if not a year and a half sooner since my taxidermist was 15 months out and that was once he received the dip and pack.

I dropped off a pronghorn head the other week and right on the receipt he has 15+ months on the completion date.
 
BGHNTR416 said:
I have heard many times about cost savings using taxidermists there in Africa but most of the work that I have seen is very mediocre. The stuff in the showroom might look great, but the stuff that gets turned out by the guys in the back is not up to the same standards (which can happen here in the US as well btw). I am basing this on observations made quite a few years ago so maybe it has changed? It has also been stated that the production materials available to taxidermists in Africa are not as good as what we have here in the states. Any truth to these statements these days? Has it gotten better? The last point I was given years ago was that the money saved on doing the taxidermy there was ate up on additional shipping charges getting it back to the US... Hopefully I did not offend anyone! Just curios if these rumors were or are still true.
Click to expand...
African taxidermy has come a long way recently in my opinion. I’ve also had taxidermy done here and in South Africa and other than a full body baboon done in Africa I’ve been pleased with it all. As @JimP stated you get your mounts much quicker if done in Africa. Of course there are exceptions, a few threads here that members have had nightmares about taxidermy both here and abroad.
On dip & pack your looking at 3-6 months and then as stated 15 - 24 months on mounting. I’m not sure if any companies still offer expedited service or not. A couple of companies used to guaranteed turn around in 90 days from receipt of deposit.
 
I've read several complaints about taxidermy done overseas. The reason I had mine done here is because my taxidermist has done African trophies with great results. I don't think there is much recourse with work done in country. My kudu shoulder mount weighs right at 40 pounds.
 
RichD said:
I've read several complaints about taxidermy done overseas. The reason I had mine done here is because my taxidermist has done African trophies with great results. I don't think there is much recourse with work done in country. My kudu shoulder mount weighs right at 40 pounds.
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One thing to add to your point. IF something were to happen to a cape during tanning an African taxidermist has a better chance of finding a replacement at an economical price than an American taxidermist.

When I go back it could very well be my last trip and I will most likely have any taxidermy done here in the states even with the longer wait times. I normally don’t get serious about planning the “next” trip until everything is home and paid for! That’s why I’ve opted for South African taxidermists on my last 4 trips and I feel like I’ve been fortunate with the quality and service even dealing with a shipment during the height of Covid.
 
RichD said:
I'm right there with you on not bringing meat back. I started hunting whitetail near Lake Pleasant in the Adirondacks in the '60's while in high school. Love to put elk, deer, antelope, etc in the freezer. My first trip to Africa was Botswana in 2023, D&P 5 animals, had a kudu shoulder mount done locally here in Denver. Euro skulls were done by me, went to a beauty shop supply house and bought 40 volume peroxide and whitener. Also made my own plaques for mounting skulls. Videos on youtube are helpful. An earlier poster mentioned that you can't combine multiple hunters in shipping. But...I wonder about 2 with same last name. Waiting now to hear about my animals from September/October SA hunt.
Click to expand...
I live in northern ny have a camp in Paul Smith i was tracking bucks 2 weeks ago love the adirondacks
 
It's a tough choice for sure. I opted for there as I expected local taxidermists would be way more knowledgeable about those types of animals. I did have issues with my first stuff and can't say I was completely happy with the last bunch I got either.
Not sure yet what I will decide to do when I go over again.
 
Mountainshadows said:
My son and I had our stuff come back in the same crate. He wasn't a minor. This was shipped in 2024.
Click to expand...

I think it’s done quite often, hunters combining into one crate under one name and that sort of thing but if you have any TOPS or CITES animals the permits must be in the hunters name that shot them. If an inspector get nosy you could possibly lose your trophies.

I’m not sure the logic of this regulation, whats it matter as long as all of the paperwork is in order.
 
So i feel as though it is reasonable to expect for pack and dip with hides and skulls and shipping fees from door to door for these species
1 x Blue WB, 1 x Springbok, 2 x Oryx, 1 Hartmann Zerba
Total cost should be 2-6k
So budget for 4k and deal with it later if its 2 over
 
One contact you can also ask about typical import costs you should have anyway is Matt Meyers from Genus Logistics, import broker.

If you decide to ship stuff back it’ll be through JFK and it’s a good company to have working for you.

Genus Logistics

www.genuslogistics.com www.genuslogistics.com

I would suggest a ride to Harrisburg Pa, outdoor show in February. There are a fair number of Namibian outfits that’d fit your hunt wishlist and you should be able to put together a package as you have a very strait forward hunt to plan. I’m in the Hudson Valley of NY , but even from the ADK’s it’s not to bad of a drive.

I hunted with Jan Duplessis of Sebra Safaris in Namibia and he’d also be a good guy to contact. Good honest hunt on his own land, no high fence , unfenced ranch hunt,top notch food(best i’ve had in a dozen camps). Small outfit,one group at a time type place.
 
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