I too, want to express my sincere appreciation to Tom Kelly and
@TROPHY SHIPPERS!
In 2018, my wife and I had a very enjoyable first African hunt with Henry Griffiths (another sponsor on this site). I harvested a beautiful kudu and impala, and my wife shot an impala (which was her very first big game animal).
I reached out to Tom to coordinate the shipping of my trophies (consisting of 3 euro mounts and flatskins).
In 2019, I won an SCI auction for a “10-Day Plains Game Safari for 2 Hunters and 2 Observers” with Somerby Safaris. My brother-in-law and I were the hunters, while my wife and my sister acted as observers.
I shot a Burchell’s Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Blesbok, and another exceptional Impala. Similar to my 2018 trophies, I decided on euro mounts and tanned flatskins.
I again contacted Tom who had his shipper pick up and consolidate my two sets of trophies from two different Taxidermists (Highveld Taxidermists in Gauteng, SA for my 2018 trophies, and Universal Trophy Services in Pretoria, SA for my 2019 trophies).
I planned on having my trophies shipped to my house in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the complicated bureaucracy in the Philippines caused a lot of problems and headaches! We needed to get different permits and licenses from several Philippine Government Agencies (i.e., Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Customs, and various offices within these Agencies)!
This was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After filing numerous paperwork, a lot of follow-up, run-around, and frustration, I reluctantly conceded that having my trophies shipped to the Philippines was not practical.
I finally decided to have my trophies shipped to my house in Chicago instead.
Tom immediately went to work to have my South Africa documentation corrected to reflect the new shipping address.
Tom made all the necessary arrangements and my trophies were shipped through Turkish Airlines to O’Hare Airport on July 20. It took Turkish Air more than 2 weeks to “break down” their cargo, but yesterday, I finally received word that my crates were ready for pick up.
Since I live close to O’Hare, I told Tom that I wanted to pick up the crates myself. I figured I’ll be able to save on delivery charges, and I will have a reason to get out of the house! I called my brother-in-law and he was happy to join me.
I have to admit that I did not realize how huge an air cargo warehouse is, and how big a mess their operations currently are!
A lot of the truckers who were there to pick up their shipment are probably familiar with the slow process, and came prepared with their folding chairs. We all had to check-in, then wait while the warehouse people looked for our cargo.
After patiently waiting for 4 hours, I was advised that they could not locate my crates!
I called Tom. He contacted the warehouse, and within 30 minutes, my two crates were loaded on my brother-in-law’s pickup!
My beautiful and memorable trophies are now home!
And to top it off, Tom honored the “$50 Off Customs Clearances For AH Members” that he offered for 2019 & 2020 shipments!
Thank you so much to Tom Kelly and Trophy Shippers!
Cheers!!!
--Lem