Taxidermy in SA or U.S.

Turner12971

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I’d like to shoulder mount mine and my sons Kudus and get a bunch of skull mounts on everything else is it cheaper to mount in SA and ship all to Houston or dip/pack it all and do it at a local taxidermist.?
Thanks
 
I’m doing all my SA Taxidermy in SA. Pricing can be similar. Shorter wait times. Quality is good. Authentic.

I use Bullseye. They are very close and convenient to where I hunt in the Waterberg.
 
Where you are hunting and the taxidermist in the area will be a huge factor.

I've done it both ways. The taxidermist that I used in SA was affiliated with the outfitter and puts out class taxidermy. But then there are other shops where you might as well as just get a mop head and put a couple of sticks on it.
 
Whatever you decide , research, research, research! Look at their work and try to get references. I’ve done both and have no regrets.
Still undecided on what I’m going to do in August.
 
I’m doing all my SA Taxidermy in SA. Pricing can be similar. Shorter wait times. Quality is good. Authentic.

I use Bullseye. They are very close and convenient to where I hunt in the Waterberg.
Yea I would think it would cost more in freight to ship a bunch of shoulder mounts to the U.S. than dip n pack to the U.S. but I could be totally wrong HaHaa Ha
 
Yea I would think it would cost more in freight to ship a bunch of shoulder mounts to the U.S. than dip n pack to the U.S. but I could be totally wrong HaHaa Ha
It will cost more due to a larger crate, but cost wise I paid around half to have mine done in SA VS here in Colorado. But the shipping eats up most of that but you get your mount quicker
 
Depending on how old your son is you may have 2 crates. Family members can use 1 crate but I can’t remember if there’s an age limitations or not. I need to find out though because my daughter may hunt with me in August , she’s 24.
 
Where and with what outfitter are you using?
 
There are some pretty good taxidermists in the Eastern Cape.
 
Dip, pack, ship....Then mount in the US where you have have some control and recourse....

If you are not happy with the quality from Africa you are stuck with it once it arrives (or getting it redone).
Having it done in the US gives you the ability to call BS.
 
Another question is, how far will they transport your trophies for either dip n pack or to be mounted for no extra charge.

Hunters and Colectors taxidermy in Port Elizabeth do both and they do great work.
 
If you’re in Houston reach out to Woods and Water in Conroe. They have done all of my extended family’s African taxidermy. We are real happy with their work. Prices are listed on the website.

They can also assist with the importation process.

 
You can get average to good taxidermy in South Africa for the most part. If you want the best, regardless of wait/cost, do it in the US, but don’t go with any taxidermy, find one that does a lot of African taxidermy. If you are happy with a good mount/quicker/cheaper do it in SA.
Different products
 
If you’re in Houston reach out to Woods and Water in Conroe. They have done all of my extended family’s African taxidermy. We are real happy with their work. Prices are listed on the website.

They can also assist with the importation process.

Yea I know them well I used to work for Rowdy
 
In 2007 it was a "no brainer" to have the taxidermy done in South Africa.

$1,200 for 8 shoulder mounts + $600 shipping


In 2021, it was cheaper to have the trophies "dipped and packed" and shipped to the US for mounting.


Just, ME...

Extremely long wait times now...

My animals were killed in August of 2021.

I still don't have the shoulder mounts...
 
IME, the SA taxidermists charged more, and the "bottom line" was going to be MUCH more expensive, now, than in 2007.

IMO, "shop before you drop."

What they offered me in 2007 is is no longer even a fair, decent deal now.


I would just pay for a 'Dip & Pack" now and have the taxidermy done by a local taxidermist with experience with African animals.

When I inquired, the SA taxidermist wanted 4 times more now than in 2007.

No Thanks...
 

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