Average prices?

[siml]

@sestoppelman, it's like a dollar a shell.

@Royal27..... Never.

 

[BRICKBURN]

After all that, I hope the OP got some useful information.

 

[JimP]

I think that a lot of times it just comes down to what you feel comfortable in doing yourself.

In 2015 I was a first time hunter in South Africa and to get my trophies home I used SSI. Now could I of done it myself, the answer is yes I could of. But I enjoy sleeping at night and not having to worry about what is happening 8000 miles away. SSI took over once the animals were at the skinning shed. Even my outfitter commented on SSI contacting them with what was expected out of them. Then on to the dip and pack, SSI took care of all of these details also.

All I had to do was to wait for the arrival of my trophies at my taxidermist here in Colorado. The communication with SSI was quite above board and was quite clear, but if I had any questions Tara in their office was quick to reply to a phone call or a email.

Sure their service cost, doesn't everything?

If I do get another chance to head back over to any country in Africa for a hunt I know who I will be contacting to get my trophies back home safe and sound.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

After all that, I hope the OP got some useful information.

I don't know about the OP, but it was useful to see that Simon @Traditional Mozambique Safaris has found a new niche in the color variants market!

 

[robertq]

I apologize to SSI if my remarks were taken wrongly. I was only trying to share my personal experiences. In no way did I mean to suggest that their services are not good. I was only sharing ways that worked for me as an Individual.

Bill,

This apology is as bogus as your post. You trashed my company with an agenda in mind to denounce who we are in the hunting industry….there was no mis-interpretation of ‘taking remarks wrongly’. This is not the first time you have pushed your agenda forward and we’ve had previous words (along with others) on this forum.

We PM’d your boss, Pieter Erasmus who assured us that he would sort out the matter. If this is the way Pawprint Safaris sorts out matters, I have lost all respect for a fellow Sponsor of this great forum.

I believe in God & Karma and when the Two meet up, then the matter is sorted!

 

[robertq]

I think that a lot of times it just comes down to what you feel comfortable in doing yourself.

In 2015 I was a first time hunter in South Africa and to get my trophies home I used SSI. Now could I of done it myself, the answer is yes I could of. But I enjoy sleeping at night and not having to worry about what is happening 8000 miles away. SSI took over once the animals were at the skinning shed. Even my outfitter commented on SSI contacting them with what was expected out of them. Then on to the dip and pack, SSI took care of all of these details also.

All I had to do was to wait for the arrival of my trophies at my taxidermist here in Colorado. The communication with SSI was quite above board and was quite clear, but if I had any questions Tara in their office was quick to reply to a phone call or a email.

Sure their service cost, doesn't everything?

If I do get another chance to head back over to any country in Africa for a hunt I know who I will be contacting to get my trophies back home safe and sound.

Hi Jim....it's Rosella
Thank you for your kind words and support.
We work very hard and around the clock so hearing your feedback in public, makes all the work worth while.
In fact at this late hour, I am still on the phone and working to accommodate schedules for hunters who cannot get to us during the day due work or time difference. I guess the word is Passion, plain & simple.
Thanks again and look forward to assisting you on your next adventure.
All my best,
Rosella

 

[jeff]

I wouldn't risk a leopard or any animal coming out of Zim, Moz, or Tanzania and the like with out using SSI.

 

[Buckdog]

Double lunger I have a strong opinion on taxidermy and it is this PRICE ISNT THAT IMPORTANT IT IS THE QUALITY
you have to look at it for yrs and looking at shit work and I have some on the walls and really good work is just a huge diference. makes me sad everytime I look at 2 deer some joker did with necks too long, etc. Really good taxidermist are few and far between. Do your research and find a really good one.
As regards importing I do it myself I probably save a few dollars but it isn't a job for the faint at heart there is always an issue or issues somewhere along the way. I live not too far from a usfws port of entry and collect up the crates and drive them 6 hrs to Marlette, MI. Always fun to see Dennis in person and BS for awhile. I have no experiences with SSI or coppersmith or any importing specialist so no advice nor skin in that game.
good luck and don't be cheap or you will regret it

 

[Ryan]

In this one instance I guess I'm spoiled in Anchorage. We have a USFWS port, which of course also has CBP to tske care of both Agriculture and Customs. So plains game shipment isn't tough to do myself. The exception ot that would be if you went after a mountsim zebra im Namibia, which is CITES and require a permit and in that case call USFWS now and get that set up prior. If you are just after a Burchell's zebra no big deal, it's fine.

 

[siml]

SSI and Emiac had @ActionBob leopard back in the States in less than 9 months, not much happens in Dec and Jan in Mozambqiue, was done fast and correctly.

 

[MPN]

On a different note..... i wonder if it is a good idea to bug bomb the create when you open it, prior to hanging your trophies. Just a thought.

+1..... Had to have my local Taxi debug three euro mounts...Found bug casings below where I had them hung. Thankfully, Wall Ped mounts and skins weren't infested.

 

[Hogpatrol]

+1..... Had to have my local Taxi debug three euro mounts...Found bug casings below where I had them hung. Thankfully, Wall Ped mounts and skins weren't infested.

Whaaa??? F&W didn't catch that?

 

[sierraone]

I think that a lot of times it just comes down to what you feel comfortable in doing yourself.

In 2015 I was a first time hunter in South Africa and to get my trophies home I used SSI. Now could I of done it myself, the answer is yes I could of. But I enjoy sleeping at night and not having to worry about what is happening 8000 miles away. SSI took over once the animals were at the skinning shed. Even my outfitter commented on SSI contacting them with what was expected out of them. Then on to the dip and pack, SSI took care of all of these details also.

All I had to do was to wait for the arrival of my trophies at my taxidermist here in Colorado. The communication with SSI was quite above board and was quite clear, but if I had any questions Tara in their office was quick to reply to a phone call or a email.

Sure their service cost, doesn't everything?

If I do get another chance to head back over to any country in Africa for a hunt I know who I will be contacting to get my trophies back home safe and sound.

 

[sierraone]

There reputation is obviously at the top of the game of importation. I will most likely never import trophies. But they will be #1 on my list if I ever do!

 

[enysse]

As in any business, good quality is never cheap! Rare is the day in the taxidermy world that cheap equals good work.

The tanning they do in the USA is WAY BETTER THAN ANYTHING THEY DO IN AFRICA. The only catch 22 is the dip and pack is too me pretty pricy in RSA and other countries. But that is my two cents. Tanning doesn't cost too much more in Africa but don't do it you are going to mount animals in the USA. It's okay to do tanned rugs in Africa.

Shipping is never cheap and getting multiple quotes usually keeps companies honest in price.

Dennis's work is stunning and worth the money. It's museum quality.

 

[johnnyblues]

Thank you Royal,

I have heard that it's better to get the work done in Africa since they are more experienced with taxidermy work on this type of game. I have talked to my regular taxidermist closer to home and I don't believe he has worked on any game outside of North America.

To tell you the truth I certainly don't know what "my quality of standard of work" would be. I certainly wouldn't it to be crap. Just a typical shoulder mount that no one has to judge but me yet doesn't fall apart.

As far as shipping cost is concerned, I would be having it shipped from Namibia

If money is your biggest concern then I think having the work done there is your best option. As @Royal27 said I too had work done in Africa and I will not have it done there again. Look at Kings taxidermy in Namibia they may fit your bill.

 

[ActionBob]

SSI and Emiac had @ActionBob leopard back in the States in less than 9 months, not much happens in Dec and Jan in Mozambqiue, was done fast and correctly.

I would not get to excited about the communications from Emiac without Rosella from SSI beibg on the case, on on their case, as the case may be

 

[DoubleLunger]

Thank you all for the great information. I have to report that @VeloDog and myself have decided to use a taxidermist in Namibia that is recommended by our guide service. We did a tour of their establishment and it seemed very well organized and their work looked amazing.
I suppose that @Velodog and myself that we need to very who the taxidermist is using in order to handle Customs, Agriculture, etc.

Thanks again my fellow hunters,
DL

 

[Ty Howard]

I personally would get dip and pack sent back to the states, then use a reputable taxidermist in your area. Don't let price be the deciding factor. Worst thing in the world is to have to look at sn ugly mount the rest of your life cause you saved a few hundred bucks.