I managed to find my way through the customs office and got my papers stamped thanks to the generosity and patience of two staff members. Very impressed, not like the last time through that is for sure. I paid the negotiated tax amount and the CFIA Fee ($27) and made my rapid egress.
At the warehouse the process was simple. Pay them the fee $70, back the truck up to the door and guide the forklift operators efforts, tie the box in a leave for home.
One of the warehousemen commented that he would be very happy "to get that stinky crate out of there". I was elated with this comment. I knew they had followed the bug precautions I had requested for my crate. Pre-fumigated.
Time elapsed for the round trip was 2.5 hours in rush hour.
I arrived at home to have the kind assistance of the neighbours, who were over for dinner, to unload the crate and avoid the rain storm that was pending. Four people joined in an moved it into the garage.
I was going to leave the unloading until the morning. I was just happy to have the crate and perhaps I wanted to leave the day on a positive note, sans surprises from unwanted potential shipping damage.....
After the Braai (the South African was cooking) and one or two adult beverages and some celebrating and a little not to subtle pressure from the crowd, it was time to fight our way into the crate. Crowbars and nail pullers in hand. It was like Christmas for everyone.
The only thing that appeared to have moved was the leather package and Kudus horns and that was obviously due to the inspection process.
Everything was secured to the floor or walls and had not moved at all; Amazing. Good use of space and proper balance of the crates weight for handling.
TRACKS FREIGHT had done an excellent job of packing the crate. Impressive.
Safari Cargo, got it to the airport and BA finally got it here.
After seeing the mount pictures sent from Johannes I was expecting some good work.
There was absolutely nothing lost in getting up close, as you will see.
There is no cognitive dissonance in this write up. His work is as advertised.
The Impala and Buffalo skull have been cleaned very well and the skulls were not over boiled at all. Evidenced by the presence of the nasal bones still being present and the bases not boiled away.
They are also not covered in any nasty substance. They both have the scent of natural horn.
I only wish that we could keep the bark and other material from them rubbing their horns. (Not allowed)
The muscle detail is present in the faces, neck, eyes, ears and horn bases.
Kudu, Nyala, Bushbuck, Reedbuck.
No hair slips, etc.
This was obviously aided by Moosa's (My tracker, teacher and Bakkie buddy at Leeukop Safaris) skinning these trophies properly and in a timely fashion. The set up at Leeukop Safaris is excellent for excellent trophy processing. From removal from the field to transport, hanging, skinning and salting.
They take it seriously and
I appreciate Moosa's work. Without it there was no possibility for this success. (Nothing diminishing Kemp's PH's or other staff's role, I just know that a good quick skinning job sets the process in motion)
The only thing that I might want to improve on these mounts would be the hardware. I am one for over design when it comes to falling mounts. I'll change them to something I think is more robust.
These trophies are irreplaceable in my mind.
With the risk of making this man too darn busy and thus slowing my trophy work in the future I will state the following: This work is every bit as good and better than work I have had completed in North America and he will get every African trophy I ever get done. European or Shoulder Mounts.
Museum quality is something that gets bandied about a lot when you talk about taxidermy. This work rates right up there and it is no wonder he has won taxidermy awards.
If anyone says do not get your work done in Africa, they have not visited his shop or seen this mans work.
Ubombo Taxidermy (Johannes Meintjes) Mkuze, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Welcome to Ubombo Taxidermy
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