SOUTH AFRICA: Kuche Safaris - Free State - August 2024

[jt13]

Update: I got a message from Eagle Eye a few days ago to confirm the information on my address and taxidermy. No cost or request for payment info yet. States to expect shipment to go out in the next 4 to 18 months

 

[Hunt anything]

Update: I got a message from Eagle Eye a few days ago to confirm the information on my address and taxidermy. No cost or request for payment info yet. States to expect shipment to go out in the next 4 to 18 months

Nothing like narrowing the window down to 14 months
Some info is better than no info

 

[cwickgo9]

Our crate finally arrived at DFW. Now waiting for customs clearance working through Coppersmith.
Our hunt was August 2023.

 

[Arty0802]

Our crate finally arrived at DFW. Now waiting for customs clearance working through Coppersmith.
Our hunt was August 2023.

Today marks 2 years since our final day in camp with Kuche (July 8 2023, the day we settled up and finalized our taxidermy order). Still have not heard anything. I plan to email them today after work, but honestly at this point it's become a bit of a joke.

 

[mark-hunter]

Sorry to hear that!

How much it depends on outfitter and how much on local taxidermy prep and clearance?

 

[PARA45]

This is criminal and can't believe hunters come on here and defend their operations.

 

[Graham Hunter]

This is criminal and can't believe hunters come on here and defend their operations.

Some have no defense and would only open up themselves to more bad press. They just hide and hope the storm blows over.

 

[DonPablo]

Today marks 2 years since our final day in camp with Kuche (July 8 2023, the day we settled up and finalized our taxidermy order). Still have not heard anything. I plan to email them today after work, but honestly at this point it's become a bit of a joke.

Were you in Limpopo? We were probably in camp with you. My buddy was just contacted that his is ready. Hasn't heard from Eagle Eye yet. He's trying to decide which importer to use. I think mine would have been done by now since it's all skulls and skins but no, I had to request they make leather out of my old warthog.

 

[Arty0802]

Were you in Limpopo? We were probably in camp with you. My buddy was just contacted that his is ready. Hasn't heard from Eagle Eye yet. He's trying to decide which importer to use. I think mine would have been done by now since it's all skulls and skins but no, I had to request they make leather out of my old warthog.

Yes we were. Highly likely we were there at the same time, then. Admittedly, we had a decently large order (4 shoulder mounts [kudu, 2x blue wildebeest, impala], the rest were skulls and skins), but still I would think that after two years we would AT LEAST have an update. Not sure if you saw my earlier post where I was told that "due to new regulations" they had rebuild 60% of their taxidermy...

I just emailed them last night:

"Good Afternoon Elize,



I wanted to check in again regarding our taxidermy. This week marked 24 months since we hunted with Kuche and we still have no updates. I have been in contact with other hunters who were in camp later than us and their items are already in the U.S. I understand there have been delays but after two full years we are finding it difficult to stay patient.



If you could please check on our items and let me know specifically where they are in the taxidermy/shipping process I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks."

 

[cwickgo9]

Mine too should have been a simple dip/pack/ship. However it sounded like they went ahead and processed by zebra so that would have delayed it close to a year alone. Now when I do get the crate, I'll be waiting another year for the other skins to be tanned and skulls completed.

 

[Arty0802]

Mine too should have been a simple dip/pack/ship. However it sounded like they went ahead and processed by zebra so that would have delayed it close to a year alone. Now when I do get the crate, I'll be waiting another year for the other skins to be tanned and skulls completed.

Absolutely ridiculous. I get that they are a high volume outfitter, but you would think they would also have high-volume-capable logistics to support.

 

[DonPablo]

Yes we were. Highly likely we were there at the same time, then.

I was the short guy who accidentally shot a warthog in the forehead. She turned at the last minute.



I was probably the first Hispanic American they had. It was funny. An African lady at the airport asked my buddy's wife, "Is he a Mexican? I've only seen one in the movies." I thought it was funny. Especially since she said it was the hat that gave it away. The hat was a kakadu!

 

[Arty0802]

I was the short guy who accidentally shot a warthog in the forehead. She turned at the last minute.



I was probably the first Hispanic American they had. It was funny. An African lady at the airport asked my buddy's wife, "Is he a Mexican? I've only seen one in the movies." I thought it was funny. Especially since she said it was the hat that gave it away. The hat was a kakadu!

Yep, I definitely remember seeing you with your bow at breakfast!

 

[cwickgo9]

Customs cleared crate 29 July, paid Coppersmith, now waiting on them to deliver to taxidermist. So by the time they get to the taxidermist here, it will be almost exactly two years. Then the wait begins for them to be processed, probably another year for the skins.

 

[Arty0802]

Finally got an update on my taxidermy. Final payment was sent to Koos last week and I was contacted by the importer (Eagle Eye) that they have my crate in their warehouse and they just need confirmation of the shipping destination (good thing too, because I've moved halfway across the country since my hunt and they still had my old address on file). Anybody have any idea how long it might before the crate arrives stateside?

 

[Ruraldoc]

I got my crate from Kuche delivered to my house 24 months after I left Africa. A little slow, I suppose but everything arrived in good shape and the taxidermy looks good to me.

There was only one problem, I asked for a Zebra skin rug but received a shoulder mount.

But when I reviewed the paper work, it actually showed that I requested a shoulder mount. This was in error but I signed the form and did not catch it.

All things considered my trip with Kuche was a very positive experience and I had a great time.

Koos treated me well and I can not complain about Kuche in any meaningful way.

 

[Arty0802]

I got my crate from Kuche delivered to my house 24 months after I left Africa. A little slow, I suppose but everything arrived in good shape and the taxidermy looks good to me.

There was only one problem, I asked for a Zebra skin rug but received a shoulder mount.

But when I reviewed the paper work, it actually showed that I requested a shoulder mount. This was in error but I signed the form and did not catch it.

All things considered my trip with Kuche was a very positive experience and I had a great time.

Koos treated me well and I can not complain about Kuche in any meaningful way.

I'm at 27 months right now, and I've only just received first correspondence from the shipper. Curious how long it will take them to ship to the east coast USA...?

 

[375Fox]

I'm at 27 months right now, and I've only just received first correspondence from the shipper. Curious how long it will take them to ship to the east coast USA...?

It takes a plane ride if they have their paperwork in order. Then a few days to two weeks to clear customs broker.

 

[Arty0802]

It takes a plane ride if they have their paperwork in order. Then a few days to two weeks to clear customs broker.

Fingers crossed, then...

 

[cwickgo9]

It was 27 mos from hunt to getting my european mounts - done in the US. Should have been a dip/pack/ship. As it is, I now have my mounts and awaiting the skins to be tanned.