Taxidermy in SA or U.S.

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

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...

I hear what you’re saying but the inflation range in SA is 4-5% per annum. 2007 is 18 years ago. The cost of almost everything in SA doubles every 8-9 years with compound inflation. That SA taxidermist who’s quadrupled his prices, he’s not making any more profit than he did in 2007.

 

[Turner12971]

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...

Does the taxidermy in SA do the dip and pack.?

 

[Hunt anything]

Does the taxidermy in SA do the dip and pack.?

The outfitter will boil the skulls getting out the brains and any meat and rough salt the skins, once delivered to the dip&pack company they will get them ready for shipment. This includes sanitation for any diseases and insects. At least this is how it has worked for me in the past.

 

[Turner12971]

I just got a quote on shoulder mounts in SA for Kudu,Zebra,Gemsbok and 2 impala skulls, 2 blesbok skulls and 2 springbok skulls. Taxidermy is 4070.00 and shipping quote is 4351.66

 

[Turner12971]

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...

WHAT.? 2021… who’s doing the Taxidermy wow that’s crazy

 

[AZDAVE]

Years ago when I was getting ready for my first safari (2013) I was given some good advice

Pro/con of Africa vs US taxidermy.

Africa the taxidermists know how the animals are supposed to look and correct proportion etc. However do your research as there are some great shops and some crappy ones.

US you better make sure that your taxidermist knows what African animals are supposed to look like IE if all the y normally do is whitetail deer and elk do you want your Kudu to look like a elk with spiral horns. There are US taxidermists that are some of the best in the world at all the worlds animals. DO your research!!!!

In most cases the African taxidermy will be completed quicker as most all the shops do their own tanning. in the US there are only 3-4 tannery's and they do ALL the hides, cow leather etc for all of the US. It will take a year or longer for your US based taxidermist to get the hides back. then into their work schedule.

Dip and pack in Africa will be cheaper than a full shipment. So budget for that.
The US your can have the animals mounted on a timeline that makes it easier to pay for the work.

If you have a problem with completed work it is much easier to get a fix in the US or where ever you live vs having to work with the taxidermist in Africa.

In most cases the US work will be more expensive but in 2025 the costs will be similar when shipping is factored in. Your just have to decide if you want good mounts sooner or good-very good mounts that take a year or two longer to be on the wall.

He also said when you tour a taxidermy facility look at everything for style and different poses to form an idea in your head what you want. Then go look at the cats. Cats are the hardest to get right!!!, and a shop that can do cats well can do everything else in their sleep.

I have had most of my work done in Africa, choosing good and quicker. I have had @gizmo do my leopard and the rest of my Namibia safari animals. There are some other shops here in the US that I would use but he is a sponsor here and will get all the work I have done in the US.

So do your research and budget for the taxidermy you want done.

 

[btheis13]

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.

Minor living with parent, so 18. Some people say you can bend the rule, but it's illegal and you could loose all your trophies if you get caught. People do it.

Husband and wife can share crate though. If they have the same home address.

 

[Smitty]

AZDAVE has a very good reply. My experience with South African Taxidermy was a nightmare. When I did receive my shipment, it was not my animals, terrible quality work, and I had NO RECOURSE. I am going back to Africa this year, and everything will be shipped to the U.S.A. to be done by a local taxidermist who has been to Africa 12 times and does mostly African animals.
The first picture is a Gemsbok hide with a football sized patch on the neck and the patch hair running in opposite direction from the hide. My Gemsbok was shot once through the heart and had no imperfections on the neck. The second picture is of the Zebra, who's ears are rotted away, and the Main is brown/red. Mine was black and the markings are completely different. I have dozens more pictures, but you get the idea. I will never use African Taxidermy again.