SOUTH AFRICA: Kuche Safaris - Free State - August 2024

[Ruraldoc]

Air frieght is much quicker. More planes constantly on route.

I did sea freight so I had to wait until the shipper had a cargo shipped lined up. This only happens about 4 times per year.

Then it has to get here, be unloaded, clear customs and be shipped to you.

So it depends but could take several months depending upon when the next cargo ship leaves.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I suppose I should add that I left Kuche safari camp in August of 2023 and my crate was at my house with 7 mounted animals in September 2025.
My experience was very good overall, with relatively few minor complaints and certainly nothing major.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

It stuns me how long it takes some of you to receive your trophies.

 

[Arty0802]

On today's episode of "where the hell are my trophies"....

I received an email from the shipper (Eagle Eye) on Oct 7 asking me to confirm my address and nearest USDA approved airport. Good on them, as we have moved halfway across the country between our hunt in 2023 and now. I responded with my updated address and the nearest USDA approved airport.

A few weeks go by, I send a follow-up email to confirm they received my info and request any possible status updates, ETA, etc, that they might have for me... Silence.

This morning I wake up to an email from Eagle Eye that the shipment is ready, pending my payment, and it is slated for my old address 1,350mi away. I responded in no uncertain terms that that was NOT my address and I did NOT live there and reiterated my current address while requesting that they PLEASE CONFIRM receipt of info.

I don't know what to do with these people anymore...

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Eagle Eye? I think this particular eagle is blind.

Sorry man.

 

[Hunt anything]

Eagle Eye? I think this particular eagle is blind.

Sorry man.

View attachment 725164

I don’t want to mock a bad situation but that’s a good one Terry.

 

[samson7x]

Sheesh, I feel for you guys. I hunted with a different outfit and taxidermist in March of this year and have already received word that work is being finished and about to ship out.

 

[Arty0802]

Sheesh, I feel for you guys. I hunted with a different outfit and taxidermist in March of this year and have already received word that work is being finished and about to ship out.

I'm about to start sending daily emails until they respond with the correct shipping information and updated costs. I hate being that guy, but I'm just so ready to be done dealing with this nightmare.

 

[Ridge Runner]

On today's episode of "where the hell are my trophies"....

I received an email from the shipper (Eagle Eye) on Oct 7 asking me to confirm my address and nearest USDA approved airport. Good on them, as we have moved halfway across the country between our hunt in 2023 and now. I responded with my updated address and the nearest USDA approved airport.

A few weeks go by, I send a follow-up email to confirm they received my info and request any possible status updates, ETA, etc, that they might have for me... Silence.

This morning I wake up to an email from Eagle Eye that the shipment is ready, pending my payment, and it is slated for my old address 1,350mi away. I responded in no uncertain terms that that was NOT my address and I did NOT live there and reiterated my current address while requesting that they PLEASE CONFIRM receipt of info.

I don't know what to do with these people anymore...

Yeah you do.
You just don't want to post incriminating evidence. We know and feel for your inability as I am sure their are several members here whom have wanted to do the same to the same and/or other individuals at one time (or more) or another. You really want to kn*** t**s**t out of them in hopes of them coming to their senses, but your arm can reach that far.

Hopefully you'll have your trophies home and in one piece very soon.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Gotta thank @Arty0802 for keeping us updated and the heads-up on who not to use for taxidermy and shipping of our trophies.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Eagle Eye? I think this particular eagle is blind.

Sorry man.

View attachment 725164

I don’t want to mock a bad situation but that’s a good one Terry.

+1. A bit too soon. But yeah, that's humorous.

 

[Arty0802]

Crates 1

Dimensions: 102 x 67 x 80 cm

Actual Weight: 64.0 KGS

Volumetric Weight: 91.0 KGS

$1200 to DFW Airport

I just got an updated quote from Eagle Eye this morning. They corrected my home shipping address in VA, but they still want to send it to Dallas Airport...? I told them the nearest USDA approved airport was Richmond, VA. Is there a reason why they can't/won't ship it there instead?

 

[Hunt anything]

I just got an updated quote from Eagle Eye this morning. They corrected my home shipping address in VA, but they still want to send it to Dallas Airport...? I told them the nearest USDA approved airport was Richmond, VA. Is there a reason why they can't/won't ship it there instead?

Does Richmond have APHIS and USFW agents there?
They must clear at the point of entry as well.
I would think that New York or Washington would be better depending on the airline.

 

[dchum]

I just got an updated quote from Eagle Eye this morning. They corrected my home shipping address in VA, but they still want to send it to Dallas Airport...? I told them the nearest USDA approved airport was Richmond, VA. Is there a reason why they can't/won't ship it there instead?

They most likely have done shipments to Dallas before and feel more comfortable going through there.

As silly as it seems I would just let them do it that way. Then truck the crate to your house from Dallas once it clears. Won’t be bad

I live in Texas but my broker clears through JFK because he has it down, so I just rolled with it.

Eagle eye seems very frustrating on the communications front

 

[revturbo9967]

They most likely have done shipments to Dallas before and feel more comfortable going through there.

As silly as it seems I would just let them do it that way. Then truck the crate to your house from Dallas once it clears. Won’t be bad

I live in Texas but my broker clears through JFK because he has it down, so I just rolled with it.

Eagle eye seems very frustrating on the communications front

Clearing through JFK is quite nice.

 

[Arty0802]

Clearing through JFK is quite nice.

Yeah I actually just spoke with a stateside importer who advised to clear through JFK. Looks like that route makes a lot more sense.

 

[revturbo9967]

Genus is who i used and they were a breeze to work with. Even let me come pick up after everything was cleared and saved 800 bucks on shipping.

 

[Arty0802]

Genus is who i used and they were a breeze to work with. Even let me come pick up after everything was cleared and saved 800 bucks on shipping.

That's what I was kind of hoping to do if they sent it to Richmond, but oh well.

 

[HuntDoc]

So I had a hunt in June 2024 and have been trying to coordinate the return of trophies from EagleEye.
I have a container 183x76x108 CM - Actural Weight 102 KG - Volumetric Wt. 250 KG. I've been quoted 2 times for air delivery and as I have 3 other hunting companions with similar containers, we wanted them to all go by boat shipping to Texas and keep each idividual crate together. If we can keep them together, hopefully we can coordinate delivery to the same location as we all live in the same city once they arrive in the US. They quoted me twenty-seven hundred to air ship just my container. I've asked them to quote all of us for boat shipping a number of times and they never do they just keep giving me air shipping. Does anyone know the cost difference? I've waited this long already so if it's less expensive, then I don't mind waiting but it's it's a difference of less then five hundred then screw it I'll just air ship it. Thanks for your input.

 

[dchum]

So I had a hunt in June 2024 and have been trying to coordinate the return of trophies from EagleEye.
I have a container 183x76x108 CM - Actural Weight 102 KG - Volumetric Wt. 250 KG. I've been quoted 2 times for air delivery and as I have 3 other hunting companions with similar containers, we wanted them to all go by boat shipping to Texas and keep each idividual crate together. If we can keep them together, hopefully we can coordinate delivery to the same location as we all live in the same city once they arrive in the US. They quoted me twenty-seven hundred to air ship just my container. I've asked them to quote all of us for boat shipping a number of times and they never do they just keep giving me air shipping. Does anyone know the cost difference? I've waited this long already so if it's less expensive, then I don't mind waiting but it's it's a difference of less then five hundred then screw it I'll just air ship it. Thanks for your input.

Have you decided who your US import broker will be? You should ask them for some input on method and cost as well as they will be the ones handling the import.