Taxidermist costs

[Andrew McLaren]

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

[grayghost]

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

[Dom]

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.

[bsterns]

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

[Dom]

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.

[bsterns]

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.

[Dom]

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.

[bsterns]

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.

[grayghost]

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

[bsterns]

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. 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.

[grayghost]

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

[bsterns]

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.

[grayghost]

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