Grayghost and John Duarte... RE the taxidermist in Africa(Nyati Taxidermy);
I instructed him to shouldermount the kudu, gemsbok, and steenbuck. I am going to make European mounts of the springbok and Wildebeast. The PH is going to take him the trophies and he will let us know when they are finished. The payment will be made at that time. I thought that was pretty neat since most require 50% up front. The three of us will share a carton or crate. I have awhile to save up my money.

My hunting friends, Larry and Doug, met our PH, Johan, in the United States about 4 years ago. Johan was just getting started with a 50,000 acre ranch in Namibia and invited them to come over. Johan had just gotten his PH certification. He and his brother buy goats in Namibia auctions and sell them in South Africa. He turns over 1000 goats a week. Besides the goat business they are primarily in the game capture business. They have a helicopter and round up game in different areas in Namibia. They then sell them to game management farms. I was hoping to watch them but we did not have time. They advertise in African magazines as Undiscovered African Game LTD.. Johan only guides about 10 parties a year. He keeps the best captured game for himself resulting in a very nice genetic pool. Larry has hunted with him 4 times, Doug three times, and this was my first year. He has one place southeast of Windhoek near Mariental and another in the mountains near the Namib desert which is southwest of Windhoek near the ocean. We hunted 10 days in the Kalihari and 3 days in the mountains.

The taxidermist also has a very large ranch which they call a farm. He is quite wealthy but likes to do taxidermy. He is a friend of Johan hence the no money down.

I do not want to bore you with a lot of trivia but since this thread is about taxidermy then I felt it was apropo. I do tend to ramble at times. I can't wait to see the mounts.

Bob,
One of the nicest things about having your work done overthere is the unpacking of the trophies when they arrive via a freight truck at your door. It's like Christmas in July.
John

Taxidermy: Hunt Country or Home Country?
 

grayghost,

You are so right! [Or correct?] In almost any business where there is a free market system you get what you pay for! Well, mostly you get what you pay for and mostly you also don’t get what you don’t pay for!

I am really unsure of what to advise my clients: To use a trusted local taxidermist, of which I know quite a few, or to just have trophies Diped-'n-Shiped and use a Home Country taxidermist. Your insight has me now leaning more towards advising the latter. The fact that mountings can be scheduled by arrangement means better budget control, AND you can surely stop all work the moment you see that the chosen taxidermist is not doing a good job. I like that, and I don’t think that any of our South African taxidermists are capable of doing that for an overseas client. The admin and shipping costs would be prohibitive. But I suppose that the wise South African Hunting Outfitter will only venture an opinion when actually asked in such a manner that a direct reply is required.

Could you please help some more and provide me with the e-mail address for John Mehan of Fauna & Flora in Jamaica as there are quite a few things about shipping Dipped only trophies to the USA.

Thanks a lot.

Andrew,
Fauna and Flora can be reached at customerservice@faunaandflora.com. Their web page is: www.faunaandflora.com. Hope this helps.
John

Hi Andrew
 

John gave you the email so here's the address:
Fauna & Flora CHB Co., Inc.
c/o John Meehan III
152-31 135th Ave.
Jamaica, New York 11434
John has done an excellent job for me and his information before and after my last hunt was extremely helpful. What he said could happen: happened. He took care of a concern in a flash, so we're back to smooth sailing. Just awaiting my CITES permit. As for the Taxidermy query; there's always options. Some must leave their trophies in Africa, as that is a stretch financially, the savings amount to having shoulder mounts done as opposed to skull or european mounts. Not all US Taxidermists, in fact not many are certified by the US Gov't to import and house foriegn game. You must have a US Fish and Wildlife permit (Federal); USDA and Dept of Agriculture to receive and store/mount game that could possibly carry disease. All primates and swine fall under USDA and require special handling. All other game must be dipped (skins) and boiled (skulls/horns). Our Gov't now insists this be repeated upon entry into the US Taxidermists shop. Those that omit or aren't done properly overseas run the risk of importing Ebola virus, Anthrax, and a host of other dread diseases ect. Personally, I won't take that chance. It is a great event to see and hunt Africa. Those of you that have been there understand. I want be able to return. That aside, US Taxidermy of quality costs more. Why? Several reasons. 1. Materials: we have a tremendous choice of forms today. Anything from Bush Baby to Elephant. Forms are made of polyurethane and this is increasing daily (thank you big oil companies!). Glass eyes: Highest quality. Some German; some US made. Tanning (home or commercial) is excellent in the US, some of the best. Everything down to thread and needle. 2. Skill: today's Taxidermists, the top ones are Artists. They no longer "stuff things." They bring game back to life, at least if they're good. Top artists charge top artist pay. I would tell anyone returning from safari to have at least one mount done here. Pick their favorite animal. 3. Cost of living in the US. It costs more here than Africa. However, I do not mean to disrespect Africa or those that live there. I wish I lived in Africa. I'd be quite happy. So, if you want to have control over your Taxidermy work; have the option of mounting one animal at a time (some studio's may not offer this, but most will if you ask. Keep in mind to be responsible. If you say "mount one every two months" then pick up your mount when they call and don't leave them hanging for six months) ship your capes and skulls home. If you can't afford this, keep in mind it is not cheap shipping home completed mounts either. Your savings might go out the window. If anyone has questions or concerns, I'll be glad to address them. You are welcome to email me direct, or get my work phone off my web site. Good hunting, grayghost

Thanks for Info.
 

Grayghost & John,

Thanks to both for the info.

I'm now busy making a list of all the prices charged by South African taxidermists. Quite an undertaking, and probably doomed to failure! Reaason: They make it [intentionally] difficult to compare costs. One would quote Taxidermy + Crating cost, another would use US $ and yat others quote in ZAR. at which exchange rate doi you then compare costs.

Even though my effort may be doomed to failure I'll find out which are in what ballpark.

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Something else to consider: Due to having to crate mounts for shipment, the horns of larger game (Gemsbok, Kudu, Waterbuck etc) are not attached to the mounts during shipping. The horn cores are sawed off, leaving just enough to reattach the horns by the owner upon arrival. Most guys and gals have no idea how to properly reattach them so they won't get knocked off accidently. This is not a real problem if they are reattached correctly, so again most people should take them to a local Taxidermist to have it done. It is kinda funny to see a guy open his crate and find no horns on his Kudu. "What the hell...." is usually their reaction until they find them wrapped up and packed in the crate. I give full credit to the African Taxidermists. Those guys know how to pack a crate and can use every inch of space. One strong recommendation to ANYONE who hangs African Antelope on their wall: there are a number of Dermistid insects that are drawn to the keratin protein contained in antelope and sheep horns. They will eat your mount up unless you keep them treated. We used to have Edolan-U (from Germany). This treatment was done prior to mounting and lasted forever. Our EPA banned this product so now we use a liquid chemical from the carpet industry. The brand name I use is Pro-Tex and is available from Taxidermists. It has a very strong odor that lasts about a week, so it is very advisable to take your mounts to a local Taxidermist once a year (at least once every two years) and let them treat and clean your mount. This shouldn't cost much and will protect your mounts from infestation. The problem with those little pests is by the time you notice "powder" or "sawdust" coming from your mount, it may be too late. They bore into the horns like carpenter ants and also eat the hair at the base. You won't see shedding hair unless you clean your mount and find a handful of loose hair falling out. If your local Taxidermist will sell you some Pro-Tex, ask him/her to instruct you on proper cleaning and treatment. Best spray your clean mount outside with Pro-Tex. As I say the smell lasts for several days. Always wear disposable rubber gloves and keep it away from your eyes. This preventative measure will assure your mounts will stay protected for many years to come. Good hunting, grayghost

A lot of good info here, and I'll add a bit about what happened to our group (4 hunters). We had our trophies for European mount all boiled, cleaned, bleached, veterinary stamps, export papers filled out, etc. and packed and showed up at the Airport in Windhoek. NO GO. New weight restrictions meant they wanted a couple grand in excess baggage, so we pulled the bags off and our PH had to have them shipped cargo. So we did not get to bring our skull mounts back with us, which would have saved each of us $300 smackers. Oh well, we tried.

As far as shoulder mounts, we each left a couple at Nyati in Windhoek, who will finish them up, pack and ship them to us. Expect them early next year. Taxidermy price for my Gamsbock, Impala, and a Mt Zebra hide tanned was $1100 (Shipping to be added). Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Dom, did you get you mounts back from Nyati yet? They are the ones doing mine. Mine were supposed to be ready this month.

bsterns, yes, we received them last week, all arrived safe and secure, no issues. They were wrapped in plastic, then a liquid foam sprayed in the box which hardened form fit around them and held the mounts very securely.

Dom, what were the shipping costs? With the dollar going down in value I hate to see the trophy mounting charges. I have not paid anything toward the taxidermy or shipping at his point.

Bsterns, costs are fairly hard to exactly pin down, we combined 3 hunters trophies, which was 8 head & shoulder mounts & 4 hides into one bill, then divided by 3. The actual shipping wasn't bad at all, it is the charges on the receiving end that kill ya, which about doubles the bill. It also depends on where it's going, and what vet/import/customs fees you have to pay. Our bill was just under $4k, divided by 3 was each of us paid $1300 & change - to our door here in Germany. But, we're working on getting a big (chunk $400 apiece) of the customs tax returned (NATO SOFA). Our other fourth hunter in the group had his shipped separately to LA/Nevada, and I haven't heard what he ended up paying. I'm not sure what customs/vet fees run if they're shipped to the states. But it is nice to have them and anytime I want to reminisce on Africa, I just have to look at the wall. Here's a couple photos, Nyati in Windhoek did the Taxidermy. The Oryx is deceiving in the pic, he's bigger than it looks, I'm cramped on space so it's in a stairwell, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...8/e93cf92b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...0/e942b6ec.jpg

Dom, those are beautiful trophy mounts. Nyati did mine also. I look forward to getting them. I will let you know what they cost if they ever get here. I think you went after I did so I should be getting them soon.

If you check into air freight verses sea cargo (freight) you should find a substantial savings going the sea cargo route. Air takes about a week to arrival to your port of entry. Sea takes about 30 days but is usually half to two-thirds less. grayghost

Well it has been almost a year since I posted on this subject but I finally got my invoices for my trophies from Nyati Wildlife Art taxidermists in Windhoek. The fees are good but just a year late and a dollar short. :mad: Anyway it will be nice to finally get them. We did not put any money down so it was not as bad as it could have been after almost 2 years. I am not sure what the costs for shipping will be but there have been a number of different views on how to go about it. One fellow told me to let them arrange shipping from Namibia rather than me doing it that It would be considerably cheaper. I don't know for sure.

I am planning another trip to RSA next year for cape buffalo. I have bid on a 458 Lott on gunbroker.com. Any comments on that caliber would be appreciated.

B, you should contact me on shipping. Never leave it up to a foreign country to decide what to charge you. I recommend having someone here in the US do everything for you; arrange shipping, Customs clearing and delivery to your home. It's easy to pick up the phone and give them a call. They have saved many from getting tore a new one, and I mean thousands of $$. Email me and I'll give you a call. grayghost

Grayghost, thanks for the offer. There are 3 of us shipping together and I am waiting to find out what the others are wanting to do. I will let you know if there is a problem. They have done this before while this is my first go around so I am waiting for them to give me the word.

458 Lott is in the "stopping gun" caliber. Good medicine for Elephant, Rhino and Buff, but shot placement is important. I've seen them shake off 500+ caliber's and still run off. We're opening a new area in Mozambique soon so the Buffalo hunting should prove exciting.
Good luck on the gun and shipping, grayghost