Taxidermy pricing

I can't believe I am saying this but in or near Modimolle SA are a couple places Trophy Pro SA and Nylstroom Taxidermy. Trophy Pro is a dip and ship place I used in 2014. That is their bill I posted. Nylstroom Taxidermy is there also. That was the original name for Modimolle. Of the two I would contact Johan at Trophy Pro and see if they would get your trophies from your place. Same part of the SA not sure how far apart they are.

Tom

Ryan
Check this thread out Kyle is at this time using Hylstrooms Tax for his Trophies. You could get some info maybe a price list. I used them in 2012 and they did a great job in the Skulls I had them do they are the bottom and right in the picture I posted.

http://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-bowhunt-bushmans-quiver.31305/

Tom

markferrigno said:

I will say that you should never get taxidermy done in Africa. Way expensive because of "commissions" and lots of the work is late and substandard. Have the skins/skulls shipped home and taken to a reputable taxidermist.....

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it is a matter of opinion...we have reputable taxidermist in SA (ask all the neighboring countries, where are their trophies done?...), like PH's and Outfitters. Now, commission is paid to Outfitters, yes, but it's like 5-10% of the taxidermy bill...so, if you think it is waaaaayyyyy to expensive to receive $120 on a account of $1200, then perhaps you should ship your trophies home to a reputable taxidermy...just my 2 cent's...

375 Ruger Fan said:

Patrick R: The pirces you have listed look like the price for a bleached skull only. Are you sure that is the correct price for the full European mount?

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nope, like this

One of the biggest mistake I see with people going over is the lack or research into a taxidermist and a place for doing the shipping.

The commission is a thing that can be avoided if you make your arrangements before the hunt or with someone who does not give it. You pick a place and get your pricing .Then have your stuff taken there and if the guy whats to give a kick back for the business it is on his dime and likely not going to happen.I have heard some commission as low as 10% but as high 25% and with this post it looks like it could be as high as 100%.

Two many guys think there not free to pick who they want to use or don't want to hurt there new friends feeling that they are hunting with. They seem to forget it is there money to spend. Then most make it worse by using the shipper the taxidermist tells them about. It all equals money out of your pocket.

In the end taxidermy is the same as the animals we all pay more then locals do for the same thing but that is far from a secret but not yelled about from the mtn tops either. I myself look at it as a small price to pay to hunt Africa.

With the info on this site there is plenty of good guys in SA to use. The quality will be as good as most here in the states with a few guys in the states doing better work but most guys will not tell the difference. With the right research on taxidermy and shipping you will save money depending on what animals and how many. I myself have saved thousands by using a place in SA.

Talk to people get prices from a few people for both taxidermy and shipping. Don't be afraid to ask about pricing and work deals that work for you.

375 Ruger Fan said:

No, I counted only one backskin.

Kudu @ $304
Blue W @ $357
Gemsbok @ $304
backskin @ 127
Total = $1092

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Ryan Wilson said:

The invoice was:

Kudu Skull Mount $265
Gemsbok Skull Mount $275
Wildebeest Skull Mount $300
Wildebeest Flat Skin $300

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For comparison here is what Skulls Unlimited (the biggest skull cleaning/supply company in the world which is based in the US) charges to clean those skulls:

http://www.skullcleaning.com/skull-cleaning-pricelist.php

Kudu $195
Gemsbok $175
Wildebeest $150

Now granted obviously you have no option but to get the skulls cleaned in Africa. But its insane that a South African taxidermist would charge significantly more (in the case of the wildebeest double) to provide the same service as a US company. What makes it even more surprising is that overhead in Africa is significantly lower, one would expect the opposite to be the case....

Those prices are high..... Not double though. Plus, there are fees for packing/crating & permits. Not sure if that is built into his pricing. The Skulls should be @ $250 +/-, backskin @ $150 +/-.... then the applicable taxes, fees, packing cost.

billc said:

Two many guys think there not free to pick who they want to use or don't want to hurt there new friends feeling that they are hunting with. They seem to forget it is there money to spend. Then most make it worse by using the shipper the taxidermist tells them about. It all equals money out of your pocket.

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Great points Bill.

At the end of the day every part of a safari is a business deal. Do we make friends? I certainly have. But, businesses aren't trying to save the client money. They are trying to make a profit themselves. It is totally up to the CLIENT to make sure they understand that. If they don't, it will cost them sooner or later.

@Royal27 I totally agree, it is every business' job to make money & be profitable, except for Non-Profits. However, no business should use fleecing, deception & taking advantage of to do so. If they do then they are crooks.

BWH said:

@Royal27 I totally agree, it is every business' job to make money & be profitable, except for Non-Profits. However, no business should use fleecing, deception & taking advantage of to do so. If they do then they are crooks.

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Most definitely - my point was that it is up to all of us to see. They won't wear t-shirts.

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