Protection and packing of trophies for shipping

[Tom Y. Hanssen]

Hi all good members. I confess - I have been bitten by the Africa bug big time. Did my first hunt to South Africa with my son during the period 30th Dec 2021 and January 17th 2022 after a 2 year planning/postponement due to Covid-19. We hunted with NB Safaris South Africa and Debbie Barnard/Harry Kitney/Hanno van Rensburg as PH's. What a thrill and adventure we had. It was so great that I have now booked my 2nd hunt with Debbie at NB Safaris for June 2023 together with my son. Can't wait to start packing and get on the plane. Meanwhile, I am still awaiting my trophies from my first hunt. After receiving some pictures of damaged trophies being unpacked at the final destination, I started to think and worry about mine to such a degree that I have asked the taxidermist about their procedures to protect and pack trophies to ensure they are not damaged during transport. I will be receiving two shoulder mounts; a Kudu bull and an Impala ram, European mounts for 2x Buffalo, 1x Golden Wildebeest, 1x Nyala, 1x Sable, 1x Warthog, 1x Springbok, 1x Waterbuck, 1x Blesbuck in addition to pillows, rugs and gun bags.

So, good members. What is your experience when receiving your trophies; have you all received them in excellent state or been unlucky du the inferior packing? How would you like to see your trophies covered/proteced?

I would appreciate your input/feedback etc. very much.The Taxidermist used is African Dip & Pack and Transporter is Logwin. If you have used these, I would also very much like your feedback on their performance. Cheers

 

[shootist~]

I used Life-Form Taxidermy in SA for my nine 2021 trophies, incl a Kudu shoulder mount. This was decided after seeing a bunch of their work over here. (Friend of a friend's collection).

Packing costs are added at a substantial part of the overall Taxidermy fee. They did a great job - Taxidermy, packing, dealing with their preferred shipper and the U.S. customs broker. ( I used their recommendation there as well - Hunter International, for DFW arrival).

Everything arrived in excellent condition with no drama. Will use them again.

 

[Hunt anything]

You really don’t have that much to worry about, on all of the shipments I’ve had international as well as domestic I’ve never had any trouble and this constitutes about 75 or so mounts. Many birds as well mammals. As for the African crates they have been put together better than some houses I’ve seen.

 

[JimP]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This right here.

My crate is waiting for the holidays to be over and for the permit office in SA to reopen. I already have plans for the plywood that they are going to use for my crate.

On my first shipment 7 years ago of just dip and pack my taxidermist couldn't believe all that was included in such a small crate. Each item was wrapped in enough bubble wrap that you could of dropped it from a good height with no damage being done to it.. This upcoming shipment will include 3 shoulder mounts and 4 euro's and I am sure that it will be packed just as well.

 

[shootist~]

Showing mounts very securly screwed to the side of the crate.