Question for my military peeps (past and present)

[gcbailey]

For those of you who have served or are currently serving in the military, I have a question regarding shipping trophies. I went to Africa in 2022. I was processing the shipping of the trophies when I came down on orders. I am currently on a two year unaccompanied tour. My second year will begin in 2025. What would you recommend for importing trophies once I am stateside- ship to the nearest port where I am stationed or to my parents, where I know they won't be moving? What did you do with the added entanglement of the military when trying to receive your trophies?

 

[dlmac]

Most of my mounts were taken after I retired from the Army. I did have a couple shipped from Germany in my household goods with no problems. For most of my "other" mounts, they were shipped through Coppersmith.

 

[dlmac]

Shipping to your parents home is a good idea, might want to give them a specific POA for accepting delivery?

 

[Ridge Runner]

Are you CONUS or OCONUS? Two year unaccompanied would suggest; 1. You are married. 2. OCONUS. I would suggest having your trophies shipped to your home, that is if your married and you are in contact with your wife. Otherwise to your parents if you are not married.

Preferably you should have your crate to be shipped to a fixed/permanent address where they can remain until your return and be in contact with those receiving your crate so if some is wrong, or there are problems, those problems can be taken care of.

Although not trophies as in taxidermy. Back then it was mail order, shopping via catalogs. We didn't have online shopping. While outside the US packages were shipped/received through permanent family members residence where packages would be forwarded or safely held till I could return back to the US.

 

[gcbailey]

Are you CONUS or OCONUS? Two year unaccompanied would suggest; 1. You are married. 2. OCONUS. I would suggest having your trophies shipped to your home, that is if your married and you are in contact with your wife. Otherwise to your parents if you are not married.

Preferably you should have your crate to be shipped to a fixed/permanent address where they can remain until your return and be in contact with those receiving your crate so if some is wrong, or there are problems, those problems can be taken care of.

Although not trophies as in taxidermy. Back then it was mail order, shopping via catalogs. We didn't have online shopping. While outside the US packages were shipped/received through permanent family members residence where packages would be forwarded or safely held till I could return back to the US.

I should have clarified. I am married, but my wife and kids are in Chicago. I am overseas until 2026. I will not move to Chicago and the apartment is too small to hold the trophies coming in, which is why I was considering my parents' house. Just not sure whether to do it now or wait until I get back to the states and ship it at my next duty assignment.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I should have clarified. I am married, but my wife and kids are in Chicago. I am overseas until 2026. I will not move to Chicago and the apartment is too small to hold the trophies coming in, which is why I was considering my parents' house. Just not sure whether to do it now or wait until I get back to the states and ship it at my next duty assignment.

Based on your situation, I would opt to have your trophies shipped to your parents home and then shipped to your next duty station. As we all (current and former military personnel) know orders have Ben known to change between the time you start to leave one duty station heading to the next duty station, and suddenly WTF you're resigned to alternate duty station in transit and your household items from the previous duty station end up in limbo for a couple of months.

 

[gcbailey]

Based on your situation, I would opt to have your trophies shipped to your parents home and then shipped to your next duty station. As we all (current and former military personnel) know orders have Ben known to change between the time you start to leave one duty station heading to the next duty station, and suddenly WTF you're resigned to alternate duty station in transit and your household items from the previous duty station end up in limbo for a couple of months.

Thank you gentlemen! You have validated my assumptions, so I'll plan to ship to my parent's and then arrange transport to my duty station from there. Maybe I'll get lucky and get stationed near home!

 

[PARA45]

Not sure if this is possible or not. How about having the taxidermy in Africa store or maybe display your trophies until you return to the US?

 

[Ridge Runner]

Not sure if this is possible or not. How about having the taxidermy in Africa store or maybe display your trophies until you return to the US?

Just a three quick reasons not to:

Taxidermist most likely doesn't have the space.

Outfitter doesn't have the space to display the taxidermy and the risk of confusion and getting the wrong mount back.

Left crated for easier mobility around the taxidermy shop could result in damages the outfitter doesn't want to be responsible for.

 

[AZDAVE]

Just have it shipped to your folks.