Missing Trophies

[TokkieM]

Good day everyone
This is a very sensitive subject as the problem relates to a well know Outfitter here on AH and unfortunately he has passed on to better hunting fields.
Those who know me also know that before moving from South Africa I use to run a Outfitting business and PH quite a bit, after I left, I continued to send and still send clients off to hunt in SA.
Over a year ago I sent a group of 6 hunters over to hunt with Paw Print Safaris and all went well. I was assured by both Paw Print and the clients that the hunt was satisfactory and all bills where settled before my clients left.
Animals hunted where Zebra, Blesbuck, Impala and a Sable Bull.
3 months before Pieter's untimely and tragic passing I received a message from him to say that he has had contact with the clients and that he cannot find their trophies, which came as a shock to me. He said that I should not worry as he would take care of the problem and find them.
Unfortunately up to today those trophies remain missing. I have talked to the PH's and they assure me that the paperwork was done and the trophies delivered into Paw Prints salt room. I have also learned from one of the PH's that a taxidermist that handled Paw Prints work has closed down and many clients are missing Trophies, I have yet to confirm this.
I have sent messages to Paw Print without success.
It also seems that Paw Print used several taxidermists over a period of a year so if anyone can tell me which ones I would appreciate it.
This thread is not about bad mouthing anyone, but about a real problem clients and I am sitting with after spending a lot of time and money on a hunt.
Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ridgewalker]

susan@pawprintsafaris.co.za This is Pieter’s sister who is supposedly running PawPrints now. I believe she was part owner as well when Pieter was alive.

jan@were-els.co.za
+27 (83) 469-4587
Jan Els was one of the taxidermists. Not good at communication nor following written specs. I believe Pieter broke with him in 2018.

taxidermy.brits@gmail.com
Andries Brits is the last I am aware of as of 2019.

So sorry to hear this. A very frustrating situation I’m sure. Best of luck trying to get it straightened out.

 

[BRICKBURN]

@CAustin Do you have any ideas Charlie???

 

[CAustin]

@CAustin Do you have any ideas Charlie???

I will try to contact the sister however the info supplied by @Ridgewalker is the best info I know of. I will also ask Bill Capwell if he has anything more!

 

[CAustin]

Good day everyone
This is a very sensitive subject as the problem relates to a well know Outfitter here on AH and unfortunately he has passed on to better hunting fields.
Those who know me also know that before moving from South Africa I use to run a Outfitting business and PH quite a bit, after I left, I continued to send and still send clients off to hunt in SA.
Over a year ago I sent a group of 6 hunters over to hunt with Paw Print Safaris and all went well. I was assured by both Paw Print and the clients that the hunt was satisfactory and all bills where settled before my clients left.
Animals hunted where Zebra, Blesbuck, Impala and a Sable Bull.
3 months before Pieter's untimely and tragic passing I received a message from him to say that he has had contact with the clients and that he cannot find their trophies, which came as a shock to me. He said that I should not worry as he would take care of the problem and find them.
Unfortunately up to today those trophies remain missing. I have talked to the PH's and they assure me that the paperwork was done and the trophies delivered into Paw Prints salt room. I have also learned from one of the PH's that a taxidermist that handled Paw Prints work has closed down and many clients are missing Trophies, I have yet to confirm this.
I have sent messages to Paw Print without success.
It also seems that Paw Print used several taxidermists over a period of a year so if anyone can tell me which ones I would appreciate it.
This thread is not about bad mouthing anyone, but about a real problem clients and I am sitting with after spending a lot of time and money on a hunt.
Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

sir can you PM me with more details and I will try to assist. Since Pieter’s death I have only been in contact with one of the PHs who worked with Paw Print.

 

[Ridgewalker]

admin@were-els.co.za
Here’s another email address for Jan at Africa Alive.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I hope Susan can get it all under control.

Jonathan at pawprintsafaris.co.za
Susan at pawprintsafaris.co.za

Riaan is accepting requests for hunting quotes.
riaan at pawprintsafaris.co.za

Susan and Jonathan and myself will do our best to keep up the good work and most important keep our clients happy!

 

[CAustin]

I have been in contact with Susann today via Facebook Messenger! She will attempt to sort this out.

 

[TokkieM]

Just a update, 2 weeks have now passed and as yet I have had no feedback from Paw Print. I have however had feedback from one PH that said he trying to find them, that was 12 days ago. Besides this bad news I have had feedback that these trophies are not the only ones missing. I say this again I am not here to smere anyone, but trophies bought and paid for are missing and right now my clients are the people carrying this cost.
Has anyone gone the legal route to get a full refund?

 

[Vanguard2279]

Were these hunts on Pieter's Kiepersol Farm or at one of the places he used? Reitzdale or Johan van Wyk's buffalo camp?
Due to Pieter's hospital stays and some unknown factors, our trophies sat at Reitzdale for over four months before they were brought to Kiepersol. Highveld picked up my Buffalo and Sable there, but they've been non-responsive to emails lately.
Hopefully, it is not too late for them to be recovered.

 

[TokkieM]

Were these hunts on Pieter's Kiepersol Farm or at one of the places he used? Reitzdale or Johan van Wyk's buffalo camp?
Due to Pieter's hospital stays and some unknown factors, our trophies sat at Reitzdale for over four months before they were brought to Kiepersol. Highveld picked up my Buffalo and Sable there, but they've been non-responsive to emails lately.
Hopefully, it is not too late for them to be recovered.

Trophies where all delivered to Pieter before the end of the hunt as confirmed by both PH's.
Pieter was well aware of the trouble with the trophies before his untimely passing. If Paw Print Safaris is going to continue doing business then I would suggest they sort this out ASAP.

 

[Royal27]

I have been in contact with Susann today via Facebook Messenger! She will attempt to sort this out.

@TokkieM did Susan never contact you?

@CAustin sounds like some rep help is still needed.

 

[CAustin]

@TokkieM did Susan never contact you?

@CAustin sounds like some rep help is still needed.

Messaged the sister again today but no answer.

 

[TokkieM]

@TokkieM did Susan never contact you?

@CAustin sounds like some rep help is still needed.

HI Royal, no I never heard a word from her, there is more to this than just my clients trophies unfortunately.

 

[JKO HUNTING SAFARIS]

@TokkieM I sent you a PM.

 

[Rick Cox]

Unfortunately I too have an issue with the taxidermist Pawprint ( Pieter) recommended. I shot a very nice bull giraffe in June 2018 with them. A huge specimen. After receiving the crate last fall I was struck by how small the hide had become, a product of processing I suppose... I didn't think about it too hard, but recently I got around to comparing photos with what I have and it quickly became obvious I did not receive the right hide. I didn't have much hope anything would be resolved so I didn't pursue it. But here are some photos. Note the small marking in the centre of the large orange patches on 'my' giraffe. Not on the hide I received. Also the hide I got is very poorly done. Very disappointing.
I will say however the mounts I received are fine.

 

[GuttormG]

jan@were-els.co.za
+27 (83) 469-4587
Jan Els was one of the taxidermists. Not good at communication nor following written specs. I believe Pieter broke with him in 2018.

My/our experiense with Jan is quite different, answers emails promptly and what you get is what you agreed to.


I truly hope your clients get their trophies or a refund, someone just lost a brother/father/frein/boss-they might need some time to sort things out....

 

[Ridgewalker]

answers emails promptly and what you get is what you agreed to.

Glad to hear that. My buffalo hide was suppose to be tanned hair off so I could make a cartridge belt. It wasn’t.
He switched my croc skull while it was at the shipper claiming it needed repair. The one I received is awful and maybe 4” shorter than mine.
It appears he has either changed the name and website and Facebook, or has shut down.
Meeting him and his wife, they were very nice, polite and seemed trustworthy, but my experience has been pretty negative so far.
Hopefully everyone else’s will be better.

I personally think I will no longer have anything done in Africa because of this bad experience.

 

[johnnyblues]

What a mess.

 

[Philip Glass]

This is the biggest failing of the African Safari industry. After the Safari is done and you’ve paid the customer service stops in many cases.
I am sorry for the unfortunate situation with the owners passing. This should never happen and I don’t know what to tell people except to hunt with real professionals who have a track record of taking care of clients trophies.
Philip