Can you save having taxidermy work done in South Africa

I did this deer when I was 25 and couldn't afford a taxidermist. Not that good but am amazed the hair has never slipped

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Oh cost didn't have $30 in it
 
So, I've been twice to RSA since 2014. Two outfitters and two RSA taxidermist. Went with RSA taxidermist since I convinced myself that clearing and dealing with "completed" taxidermy would be a lot less logistics, and less decisions for me to have to make. (Maybe I was being a
little lazy.)
So to the experts on this thread:
I have 4 shoulder mounts in the living room and 4 euro mounts in the garage. The horn appearances range from black & cracked to shiny & fresh. Yes, I've compared the appearance to the photos I have of the animals fresh on the ground. I contacted the taxidermist about the set that are black and cracked - response was they all look like that for that species (wildebeest).
I have 3 sets of Whitetail antlers which were done with a little Clorox and a brush and are 30+ years old. They all look better than the African horns.
So I am a little disappointed in the horn appearance.
But the question is, would the degradation occur if I had them just "dip & packed" in Africa ?
Or does the boiling process, occur for dip & pack and finished taxidermy in Africa?
(
I have read on AH that it is this boiling process that does the damage vs the beetle process to the horns.)
Thanks

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Last edited:
So, I've been twice to RSA since 2014. Two outfitters and two RSA taxidermist. Went with RSA taxidermist since I convinced myself that clearing and dealing with "completed" taxidermy would be a lot less logistics, and less decisions for me to have to make. (Maybe I was being a
little lazy.)
So to the experts on this thread:
I have 4 shoulder mounts in the living room and 4 euro mounts in the garage. The horn appearances range from black & cracked to shiny & fresh. Yes, I've compared the appearance to the photos I have of the animals fresh on the ground. I contacted the taxidermist about the set that are black and cracked - response was they all look like that for that species (wildebeest).
I have 3 sets of Whitetail antlers which were done with a little Clorox and a brush and are 30+ years old. They all look better than the African horns.
So I am a little disappointed in the horn appearance.
But the question is, would the degradation occur if I had them just "dip & packed" in Africa ?
Or does the boiling process, occur for dip & pack and finished taxidermy in Africa?
(
I have read on AH that it is this boiling process that does the damage vs the beetle process to the horns.)
Thanks

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Who was the taxidermist if you don't mind me asking.
 

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StickFlicker AZ wrote on Matt 72's profile.
I didn't see your request re: ship co’s. My last shipment was 2023. Quotes from SBS Logistics ($1,198), Badger Cargo ($1,184 - used them) & AHG Trophy Shippers ($1,746). AHG owner's an asshole so wouldn't have used him anyway. Eastern Cape - Houston, TX, so your mileage may vary. NEVER use Karl Human Taxidermy aka Wild Africa Taxidermy on Eastern Cape. Trophies arrived shattered with no padding/packing material.
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