Time to get excited!

[ArmyGrunt]

There are many times when she changes her mind on the moment. I've learned to just outright ask for clarification and opinion. Normally I fare well that way

 

[bluey]

it took me a long while to work that out with my cherished one , mate
if l had known you 20 years earlier , you could've save me lots of trouble and grief .............

 

[ArmyGrunt]

ArmyGrunt,
Good luck on your upcoming safari!
SA Taxidermist (They are in Vaahlwater): Bullseye - Craig & Trish
Freight Forwarder: Zingala - Charlene
Importer: SSI - Rosella Quartarone

All the above are excellent

Where is Safari Speciatly Importers based? I know Chicago is a port of entry, and only about 5 hours from my home. I could travel there, clear the crate myself, and save the extra dough from having to pay one more broker/transporter. I saw a post on a thread that it's really not much trouble to clear your own crate, if you live close enough to a port.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Silly me.... I should have just done a search for Safari Speciatly Importers before posting... They're in New York.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

so, I just read the FAQ from the Coppersmith web page. The import stuff sounds like a real headache! Has anyone cleared their own stuff? Any recommendations or reports from using Coppersmith? That FAQ makes it look like using the service is really worth the money.

 

[Warbird782]

Call Michael at Coppersmith. I just provided him with some paperwork and the mounts showed up at my door. I also got email alerts as to where my mounts were in the while shipping process.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I used the "contact us" box on their website. The person who replied said she included Michael in the cc, since his office is in Chicago. I should get a quote from them in a day or two. May I ask about how much their fee was for you? I'm putting the squeeze on my budget right now...

 

[Warbird782]

I do not remember their fees but overall service was great.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Well, my wife managed to talk me out of the Zebra, but it'll cost a few extra hundred dollars. His head has been replaced by the red hartebeest and black wildebeest!
After getting the last couple of estimates, I think I'm going for Kwiktan as the taxidermist, Zingela for shipping, and bobpuckett's contact for import. The cost difference between Bullseye and Kwiktan is about 60% of the cost to ship home my crate.

I'm in the final countdown now - 4 days, 2 hours, 42 minutes until wheels up! Bags are packed and locked. Cash stowed for paying the tips and final tab. Credit cards ready to make the deposit on the taxidermy.

I'll go on Sunday for the final zero confirmation, since I have been shooting lighter bullets than I'm taking. Or should I just save that for the arrival day? The weather here is in the 60s F, and my PH says "bring shorts, it's been HOT."

 

[billc]

I would shoot the bullets your using there before you go.Having to just check zero when there is better I think.

As for the mounts I would go see some of kwiktan work before I would just say I pick them.I myslef think bulleyes work looks better but you just need to be happy with who you pick.

Just make sure you keep all cash on you do not pack any were it is not with you.

I bet you are so ready now as the last few days get your blood pumping to get on the way.Good luck shoot straight and enjoy your trip.

 

[BudMan]

Best of luck to you Army Grunt! I just got back from my first ever African hunt on 9/11/14. I was in SA near VanderKloof, hunting near the Orange river. It was one of the best experiences of my life and took a Kudu, Gemsbok, Nyala, Impala, 2 Springbok, Black and Blue Wildebeest, Blesbuck, Warthog, 3 common Duiker (one male and two females with horns) and a porcupine.

The taxidermist I am using is Savuti in Joburg and their prices are amazing. My friend lives in Joburg and has used Cliff at Savuti several times and recommended me to him. I am taking a pic of my living room wall and sending it to Cliff so that he can give me some good ideas on how to place my mounts once they arrive. I am doing a full mount of my Nyala and two of the Duikers. The rest will be shoulder mounts. I hope to get back to Africa, but with the economy the way it is, who knows? Thats why I decided to do so many shoulder mounts. I have the room for them so what the hell?! Plus, I am divoriced, LOL....

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I am getting pretty excited, but I have this little inconvenience.....I work the next 3 nights. I don't see why they can't just pay me to not be there. After all, I DO have some pretty important things to think about. I shouldn't let 911 medical calls get in the way of dreaming about hunting!

 

[ArmyGrunt]

BudMan,

I just checked over the price list that Savuti had sent me in the past. His prices are very comparable to Kwiktan. I sent him another email to ask about a full mounts of meerkat. Both Kwiktan and Savuti are in the area where I'll be, so perhaps I can swing by there while in town.

 

[Royal27]

I am getting pretty excited, but I have this little inconvenience.....I work the next 3 nights. I don't see why they can't just pay me to not be there. After all, I DO have some pretty important things to think about. I shouldn't let 911 medical calls get in the way of dreaming about hunting!

I hear ya!

I even worked the day I left. It actually helped to keep me from going completely stir crazy!!!

 

[ActionBob]

Hey a two for one trade on the zebra sounds pretty good, even if it takes a bit of cash too boot. Negotiate a little more off the taxidermy to make it. otherwise good thing your working these last days to pump u9 the paycheck!

I agree you should shoot the bullets your using but if yoyr close it will not be the end of the World to tweek the zero when you arrive. Esspecially if you don't have time before you leave.....

Wow I can feel your excitement! All the best.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

It has arrived! Going in an hour or so to zero my rifle for these bullets. A few hours from now I'll get into my time machine (bed, sleeping) to fast forward til the morning. Two hour drive to the airport to embark on another exciting adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By 1915 tomorrow evening I'll be airborne toward Jo'berg.

 

[Royal27]

It has arrived! Going in an hour or so to zero my rifle for these bullets. A few hours from now I'll get into my time machine (bed, sleeping) to fast forward til the morning. Two hour drive to the airport to embark on another exciting adventure!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By 1915 tomorrow evening I'll be airborne toward Jo'berg.

Hard to tell, but I seem to sense just a little bit of excitement? Ha!

 

[ArmyGrunt]

None. Zero. Excitement. Sir.

 

[Royal27]

None. Zero. Excitement. Sir.

Enjoy this moment and everyone other one until you get back! They will all be special.

Advice that was given to me was to write daily so that I didn't forget little details . Sage advice.

 

[ArmyGrunt]

Interesting thought. I bought a leather bound journal from Barnes and Noble a couple weeks ago for exactly that purpose! I figure I'll have one for each of the trips I take. I dream of getting all 6 continents at least once before starting over. Except the States, for obvious reasons of convenience.