AHG Trophy Shipping

[Trout Tracker]

Has anyone worked with this group? I see that Boddington endorses them, which adds some level of credibility to the company for me. This will be my 4th shipment, but my first with them if I choose to use them. My current taxidermist has quoted a rate of almost 2x that what I was quoted by AHG Trophy Shipping. Thanks for your help with this.

 

[Red Leg]

Boddington adds zero credibility for me (he is compensated for the endorsement). I have had great luck over many years and from three different continents utilizing Safari Specialty Importers. My Capercaillie from Austria just arrived in perfect condition today. Give Wyatt Fetner a call. https://safarispecialtyimporters.com/

 

[ActionBob]

I used AHG Shipping for a large crate during covid. Sent ocean frieght. Not sure who's to blame it just the circumstances but it missed or was bumped from being loaded on the ship a coule times. The great thing was I did not get dinged with extra storage and the honored the quoted price. AND when the crate arrived all was fine.

I ran into some frustration with clearing on this this side only regarding extra fees at the dock. I suggest asking specifically for all the detailed costs for after the ship docks.... I did not get detailed or complete quotes on that and they dinged me for a couple thousand extra dollars in dock or unloading fees but that was the clearing agent in the US, not AHG Shipping. Then the inland frieght quote was $4100. I made one call to a trucker neighbor and got it done for $2000.

I will very likely use AHG again. Probably for taxidermy. At least some of it. And likely for shipping. Most likely by air but depending as @Just Gina has a huge giraffe that may very likely be mounted in RSA by AHG.

I've also has good success with SSI but they are clearing agents that line up shipping. Not at all involved in taxidermy. And I have seen some high rates quoted by them on some inland shipping as well, recently at least. I do believe they control storage cost quite well also. Wyatt does get the permits done on the difficult stuff like big cats

It pays to shop around but also check references.

 

[dchum]

Boddington adds zero credibility for me (he is compensated for the endorsement). I have had great luck over many years and from three different continents utilizing Safari Specialty Importers. My Capercaillie from Austria just arrived in perfect condition today. Give Wyatt Fetner a call. https://safarispecialtyimporters.com/

Listen to father Red Leg - he’s sharp

Wyatt with SSI is the best in the business and isn’t even the most expensive.

He calls you on his cell phone and you can call him back whenever. Good guy

I work in Logistics/Freight - I understand the broker game. He’s a good one and doesn’t take you for a ride.

My inland freight from JFK to Texas was priced at a very very respectable quote. I’m sure he makes his money somewhere but it wasn’t on that.

 

[ActionBob]

Has anyone worked with this group? I see that Boddington endorses them, which adds some level of credibility to the company for me. This will be my 4th shipment, but my first with them if I choose to use them. My current taxidermist has quoted a rate of almost 2x that what I was quoted by AHG Trophy Shipping. Thanks for your help with this.

To clarify; Are you asking about shipping or taxidermy? Richard now brokers both.

Are you saying your taxidermist quoted double the rate for mounting/taxidermy? Or did your taxidermist quote a shipping and clearing cost??

As I understand it, AHG is a shipping agent who will line up clearing in the USA if you want them to. And they now have a relationship to get taxidermy done in RSA and give you a package deal on the taxidermy work plus shipping.

SSI is a full service Clearing Agent that lines up shipping. I've never heard of them getting involved in the taxidermy part.

At least theoretically you could ship with AHG and have SSI clear on this side for you.... Although I believe SSI wants line up shipping as at least in the past they said they quoted shipping from multiple sources to shop that out for you. Not sure how they do it now but I think it varies by country of origin.

To further complicate this post, AHG will line up to have your trophies picked up at your Outfitter in Africa, mounted by one of several taxidermist... You can pick one, but the concept is they are in various different locations so the most economical is the one closest to your Outfitter. Then shipped to the US (or possibly other destinations), and I believe line up clearing or let you do that. I also believe AHG plans to have the option available of delivering to your door. They want to be full service all the way.

@Just Gina and I are trying to sort this all out now as we just finished a hunt in RSA. We got sales pitch from AHG the night before the hunt while staying at Afton.

BTW, Afton has completely changed since Richard bought it in I think 2017. Complete turn around and we truly enjoyed our stay! Also really enjoyed his trophy rooms and curio shop on site.

He can have custom leather and other curio work done for clients and we found the prices to be very competitive.

 

[MontanaPat]

I'm using them for the first time this year after 4 trips myself. The reason I chose to use AHG was that they are gathering my trophies from Botswana and RSA and aggregating them together into one shipment so I only have one shipping crate cost and one customs import cost from Coppersmith. Sinmce the D&P from Botswana will take several months, they went ahead and picked up my RSA trophies (Nyala and Tsessebe) right away from the outfitter and they are doing a tan and ship versus a traditional dip and pack so the skins are lighter in the shipment and will be ready for mounting when the whole crate arrives in Montana.

 

[Sturgeondrjb]

Currently have a crate with AHG that is due to leave next week from my hunt last May. Problem free as of yet. Richard has been very prompt with correspondence. I will report back after I receive it through Coppersmiths.

 

[JimP]

The cost of your shipment is in the hands of the airlines/Turkish Airlines at that. They might save you a few bucks on their ground transportation to the nearest airport but that will be about it.

 

[zip4644]

Just received my trophies from the wife and I's trip to the Eastern Cape.....was a painless and trouble free experience, very pleased with the Quality of work and would recommend them without reservation....

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

@Just Gina and I are trying to sort this all out now as we just finished a hunt in RSA. We got sales pitch from AHG the night before the hunt while staying at Afton.

Lot of outfitters not really taking too kind to this.

 

[Nomsag]

Lot of outfitters not really taking too kind to this.

I’m using AHG for taxidermy and shipping for my last hunt, and it’s saving me so much money compared to dipping and packing, shipping, and taxidermy over in the states, that I can immediately book another hunt. I would have thought this would make outfitters very happy.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I’m using AHG for taxidermy and shipping for my last hunt, and it’s saving me so much money compared to dipping and packing, shipping, and taxidermy over in the states, that I can immediately book another hunt. I would have thought this would make outfitters very happy.

I never mentioned taxidermy.

 

[MontanaPat]

I never mentioned taxidermy.

Marius, help us understand the logic here. If AHG is just doing shipping and trying to help reduce those costs for hunters why would this upset outfitters unless they are getting some kind of percentage in return on who does the shipping?

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Marius, help us understand the logic here. If AHG is just doing shipping and trying to help reduce those costs for hunters why would this upset outfitters unless they are getting some kind of percentage in return on who does the shipping?

I have said my part. Has nothing to do with shipping or taxidermy.

 

[Nomsag]

Without the “sales pitch”, I would have never known how much money I would save.

 

[dchum]

I have said my part. Has nothing to do with shipping or taxidermy.

What the hell - did @IvW take over your account lol.

No one is getting your “part” people are just asking to clarify as they have no idea what you are trying to say. That’s it my man

(Just some banter which I know Marius can take)

 

[gillettehunter]

Some outfitters get a commission from the dip/pack company if the hunters use their recommended company. They now loose this source of income if AHG gets the business as a result of their sales pitch at the Afton house. I think that is what Marius is alluding to.
Bruce

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I think that is what Marius is alluding to.

Nope

 

[ActionBob]

Lot of outfitters not really taking too kind to this.

Yes I noticed. You bring up a point us American clients have been wondering about..

I heard years ago, long before meeting Richard, that Outfitters routinely get a 15% kickback from taxidermists in RSA. And then the taxidermist gets a kickback from the shipping company. Is that anywhere near accurate?

Is this why there are two price lists at most if not all South African taxidermist? One for South Africans and another for American Clients?

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Is this why there are two price lists at most if not all South African taxidermist? One for South Africans and another for American Clients?

This is kind of like asking why there are two price lists between international hunters and local hunters. Its simply not the same product in service or legality.
I was under the same impression until I saw two quotes for animals of South African friends from taxidermists.
Looked like a direct conversation off the US price list.