Dip and pack finally complete, shipping question

[trunctj]

Luckily for me I'm more of a skull guy. Doing all mine as euros, getting a couple rugs and turning the warthog hide into leather. Anyone her have any guesses on the crate size for a warthog, impala, blue wildebeest, kudu and a gemsbok? Again just skulls and rugs.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised how small a crate you'll receive. The horns can come off the skull and lay flat. I brought back a very similar selection although the skulls were not mounted on wooden plaques. No rugs from that hunt. It was a number of years ago, but I'd estimate the size of the crate was rougly 40 inches long, by 18" wide by 14" deep. I had it come through BWI (Baltimore) airport and was able to clear customs and pick it up myself. It required a couple of prior phone calls for info on the process, but they were surprisingly helpful and it went without incident. Took a couple of hours.

 

[DonPablo]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised how small a crate you'll receive. The horns can come off the skull and lay flat. I brought back a very similar selection although the skulls were not mounted on wooden plaques. No rugs from that hunt. It was a number of years ago, but I'd estimate the size of the crate was rougly 40 inches long, by 18" wide by 14" deep. I had it come through BWI (Baltimore) airport and was able to clear customs and pick it up myself. It required a couple of prior phone calls for info on the process, but they were surprisingly helpful and it went without incident. Took a couple of hours.

I hope so. Probably won't be ready to ship for another 10 months or so but I'm already spending way too much time mentally fondling the horns. But I need to also spend some of that time saving. Lol.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I don’t think so, but give them time.

I hope mot have one coming in about 6 months

 

[Trophyhunter01]

Mine just cleared, being delivered Wednesday.

Swift Dip, crate, dip, clean, documentation, Limpopo. 7 animals hides horns, great service. $1075.00

Badger Logistic, great communications, ship on Turkish to IAH Houston…$1400.00

Pro Cargo, Houston, clear all three agencies, paperwork, deliver to taxidermist $1080.00. John and Cindy did a great job and communicated throughout the process.

Very pleased with the service and coordination between all 3, best shipping return to the US in 3 trips over.

 

[Hunt anything]

Mine just cleared, being delivered Wednesday.

Swift Dip, crate, dip, clean, documentation, Limpopo. 7 animals hides horns, great service. $1075.00

Badger Logistic, great communications, ship on Turkish to IAH Houston…$1400.00

Pro Cargo, Houston, clear all three agencies, paperwork, deliver to taxidermist $1080.00. John and Cindy did a great job and communicated throughout the process.

Very pleased with the service and coordination between all 3, best shipping return to the US in 3 trips over.

Sounds great, get us some pictures

 

[DonPablo]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised how small a crate you'll receive. The horns can come off the skull and lay flat. I brought back a very similar selection although the skulls were not mounted on wooden plaques. No rugs from that hunt. It was a number of years ago, but I'd estimate the size of the crate was rougly 40 inches long, by 18" wide by 14" deep. I had it come through BWI (Baltimore) airport and was able to clear customs and pick it up myself. It required a couple of prior phone calls for info on the process, but they were surprisingly helpful and it went without incident. Took a couple of hours.

What would you estimate weight was? I know it's too early to know for sure but if the shipping cost is over $1,000, I'm seriously considering picking it up and bringing it back as checked luggage.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

What would you estimate weight was? I know it's too early to know for sure but if the shipping cost is over $1,000, I'm seriously considering picking it up and bringing it back as checked luggage.

I do not know if you can do that, it will have to clear African customs with all sorts of paperwork and then clear here I may be wrong

 

[DonPablo]

As finished taxidermy, it shouldn't be an issue on the US side. I guess I need to check the African side. Anyone know who call in South Africa?

 

[Hunt anything]

What would you estimate weight was? I know it's too early to know for sure but if the shipping cost is over $1,000, I'm seriously considering picking it up and bringing it back as checked luggage.

With your warthog in the crate bringing them back as checked baggage would probably be a non-starter, they have to go to USDA.

 

[Hunt anything]

I did have PH friend come over and shoot a whitetail mount it here and took it back to RSA in his checked baggage through Doha with no trouble. This isn’t really relevant for a shipment coming to the states but I thought it was pretty ballsy.

 

[JimP]

What would you estimate weight was? I know it's too early to know for sure but if the shipping cost is over $1,000, I'm seriously considering picking it up and bringing it back as checked luggage.

Unless you are planning on staying in Africa for a couple of months I doubt that you would be able to swing this.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

With your warthog in the crate bringing them back as checked baggage would probably be a non-starter, they have to go to USDA.

according to Laura at Coppersmiths a finished Warthog like a euro mount does not have to to USDA now just clears customs but a dip and pack hog skin will have to

 

[Hunt anything]

according to Laura at Coppersmiths a finished Warthog like a euro mount does not have to to USDA now just clears customs but a dip and pack hog skin will have to

I do realize it’s not supposed to go to USDA as finished taxidermy, my last shipment did not contain any birds, swine or primates and it went to USDA. It wasn’t supposed to as finished taxidermy and this is part of what makes everything so frustrating. I used Coppersmiths in Atlanta.

 

[DonPablo]

Unless you are planning on staying in Africa for a couple of months I doubt that you would be able to swing this.

I'm talking about picking up taxidermy after it's already finished. I'm not planning on shooting something with the expectation of it being done prior to me leaving from the same trip.

 

[DonPablo]

Well I checked with US Customs and bringing finished taxidermy into the states is not a problem so now I just have to check on the SA side. I found this but am not well versed in international calling. I tried to call South African Customs and got a message that calling that number was not available. Anyone know if it actually is working number?

Johannesburg - OR Tambo International Airport Contacts Directory

Full Contact Directory and postal address for OR Tambo International Airport. Telephone numbers for Flight Information, Help Desk, Car Parking, Assisted Passengers, Baggage and ACSA

ortambo-airport.com

 

[bcoving]

Oops forgot the most expensive of all my trips all in costs: dip and pack, transport in Africa, shipping to US, customs clearance and US inspection.. that crate total was 2750. It included buffalo and assorted kudu, waterbuck, etc, with a couple of capes. So my total costs have ranged from 900 to 2750. Taxidermy cost has been minimal because I do my own skull mounts save one kudu shoulder mount.

Bottom line effects of geometric cost increases remains- erosion of grassroots economic and political support for sport hunting system.

I do my on euros at home. I’m hunting with Phillip at Khomas Highland at beginning of May (my first trip). I’m will euro everything but the kudu and have it mounted over here. I do my on euros. I’m not impressed with their euros. What do you tell the taxidermist over there to prepare them so you can do your on euros?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I do my on euros at home. I’m hunting with Phillip at Khomas Highland at beginning of May (my first trip). I’m will euro everything but the kudu and have it mounted over here. I do my on euros. I’m not impressed with their euros. What do you tell the taxidermist over there to prepare them so you can do your on euros?

The skulls have to be cleaned to pass inspection. Usually cleaned skulls only are labeled "dip and pack." Don't want that. My African taxidermist cleans the skulls and mounts them on "plaques" cut from scrap plywood. That way they can be classed as "finished taxidermy." Less hassles for inspection. Also, instruct your taxidermist to NOT paint the skulls. My first experience was with a taxidermist who painted the skulls to cover up rotten flesh. And remind them you prefer to have all the teeth on your skulls (if that's the way you mount your euros). And you want YOUR animals' teeth attached to the skulls. My second safari trophies showed up with most skulls that had teeth from some other animal (species?) glued to them. An awful mess! "Hunters & Collectors" of Port Elizabeth, RSA does very good skull work. Kevin has a way of removing all horns and cleaning the cores. Even the black wildebeest. I'd like to know how he did that without cutting the horns. His rates are a bit higher but worth it.

I had to order my capes fully tanned. Canada has become a huge hassle for importing dip and pack hides. You better check into that. Seems I have heard things tightened up in the States too.

 

[bcoving]

I've seen a lot of euros from taxidermist over there. I guess Ill just let them do it and try to straighten them out myself. They just over boil them amongst other things. They're really not very good at it. I would pay the same if they could get them do me not all jacked up.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I've seen a lot of euros from taxidermist over there. I guess Ill just let them do it and try to straighten them out myself. They just over boil them amongst other things. They're really not very good at it. I would pay the same if they could get them do me not all jacked up.

I hear ya. We have a taxidermy business and would prefer to clean them up ourselves. But the stuff has to pass inspection before leaving the country and before entering ours. There's good reasons for it. Agriculture is big business over here. We already have way too many exotic pests and diseases out of control. No need for more of it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I've seen a lot of euros from taxidermist over there. I guess Ill just let them do it and try to straighten them out myself. They just over boil them amongst other things. They're really not very good at it. I would pay the same if they could get them do me not all jacked up.

Give them instructions on how you want your skulls done, or rather how you DON'T want them done. That clues them that you actually care. AND TELL THEM YOU WANT PHOTOS BEFORE THE STUFF IS BOXED UP! Typically I pay half to get them started and rest when it's finished. That's the way we do business here and it's how Kevin operates in PE. They should send you photos and you send them the rest of $$$ when you're satisfied. I understand some taxidermists over there want all funds up front before starting. I would be wary of that way of doing business!

Painting the skulls white is not that unusual over there apparently. Be sure and tell them not to do it that way. I spent a couple of months stripping the shit off my first batch of safari trophies. My home is our taxidermy business showroom and I can't have painted skulls on the wall! Some guys like the old European style with half the skull sawn away and mounted on fancy plaques. For them missing teeth is no big deal because they will just be removed anyway. But most of us in North America prefer teeth on our skulls. So let them know it's important to you ... if it is important. Otherwise they may assume teeth are not important. My guy actually suggested mounting the skulls on scrap lumber plaques to help with inspections. Didn't charge anything extra and made it easier to pack as scrap plaques can be screwed willy nilly to the side of wooden crate. Then they're not shifting around inside during transit.