TAXIDERMY · 2020. 1. 9. · African Trophy Taxidermy 3 T his booklet is designed to give traveling...

TAXIDERMY How To Make the Best Choices

for Your African Trophies

2 African Trophy Taxidermy

African Trophy Taxidermy 3

This booklet is designed to give traveling hunters a clear overview of the options you face in dealing with your trophies. With 20+ years of publishing, the African Hunting Gazette is offering you a guide to understanding the various elements of

your options, with advice in helping you make informed decisions. You have two choices; you can have the mounts done back home or in Africa. We want to help you understand what you need to know to make the right decision between these options. This guide will help you consider the options before you leave home for Africa, and before you end up in the African bush. It will run through all the necessary steps from the moment you have downed your trophy until it’s hanging on your wall. By empowering you as our guest on the African continent, we hope to help avert any nasty surprises.

Contents Think about the mounts before you leave __________________________________

Steps your trophy takes: From the firld to your home __________________________

Doing the taxidermy in Africa or home: Pros & Cons __________________________

Cost comparison of work done in Africa or back home ________________________

Hunters: What to look out for in the field _________________________________

What is dipping and packing? ___________________________________________

Customs Clearing by Michael Coppersmith _________________________________

Insurance & what it covers: Where do responsibilities begin and end? ____________

What services does AHG Shipping offer? __________________________________

Directory of SA Taxidermists ___________________________________________

IntroductionIf you’re a trophy hunter, ultimately the most important aspect of the safari - together with your memories - is the actual trophy, the physical reminder in your trophy room,

lounge or office that takes you back to that special time on the Dark Continent.

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Think about taxidermy before you leave home

I n the excitement about your impending safari, details like where or how you are going to display your trophies might not even cross your mind. Yet this can be a significant part of the total hunt costs. Space constraints in your home should be considered;

given the species you hope to take, think about whether shoulder, pedestal or European mounts are the best choice. There are also new, innovative mounts incorporating groups of species that make a stunning addition to a room, allowing a number of animals to be mounted together. Think, too, about the skulls, hides or backskins; these, too, make attractive mementos.


From the field

Skinning shed/salted

Transported to taxidermist in Africa(Dip & packed or to be mounted)

Transported to port for export (Joburg)

Hunter’s trophy room

Shipped to port of entry & customs cleared

(Home)

Option 1

Commercial tannery

Taxidermist at home

Option 2


Once your trophy is skinned, it is left in the salt at the lodge until your safari is complete. Then it is delivered to a taxidermist who may be…

a. A taxidermist your outfitter selects, or prefers working withb. The outfitter himself may do the hide preparation and may even be a taxidermist c. A taxidermist of your choice, either in Africa or back home.

If you’re sending your trophies back home to be mounted, and they are just to be dipped and packed, the hides are solution-treated and the skulls are boiled and prepared for export. If the mounts are to be done in Africa, the skulls are boiled, cleaned and bleached, and the hides are tanned and prepared for mounting. NB: Most African taxidermists do their own tanning on site.Following the tanning, the mounting begins, ending with final artwork touch-ups.The mounts or hides and skulls are then crated, ready for transporting.The crate is transported to the shipping company’s warehouse.Final checks and airfreighting processes commence, permits are verified, and, if there is an inspection needed prior to departure, this is where it happens.Crates are loaded onto an aircraft with all documentation and flown to the port of entry in your country.At the port of entry, the crate of trophies is cleared through customs. Occasionally a shipment is opened and inspected, but not always. Atlanta, USA is now opening all consignments.In the US, the USDA (Customs) inspects the crate at the first port of entry. USFWS inspects the crate at its final destination.This process of the inspections is either managed on your behalf by a clearing agent – or you can opt to handle the process yourself. (See details later on Customs Clearing) The trophies are then either:

a. Delivered and installed in your home if the taxidermy work was completed in Africa, or,b. Delivered to your taxidermist of choice if the mounting is to be done at home.

If the taxidermist at home has his own tanning facilities, the hides will be tanned there. Otherwise, the hides are sent to a commercial tannery for tanning, then returned to the taxidermist for mounting.Once returned to your taxidermist, the hides are then mounted. Final delivery to your trophy room is then expedited; depending on the distance, this may be in crates or loosely packed by your taxidermist.

Let’s just run through the steps your trophy goes through, from the time you take it in the field to the time it is on your wall. Then we will highlight who is responsible and

where you as a hunter have some say.

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The Steps in Trophy Preparation


Your two options:

Africa Pros:• African-based taxidermists have the

benefit of considerable experience working on African game.

• Most African taxidermists do their own in-house tanning, thus saving time and money.

• A finished product can be delivered to your trophy room (after the necessary transportation steps).

• There can, and should be, a time savings. • There should be cost savings. • Fewer steps in the process and treatment

of your hides and trophies.• If there’s a problem with a hide, it can be

resolved in Africa.

Cons:• Not having an immediate contact in

your time zone/home country. • Increased shipping costs.

Back home Pros:• Having the work done by your ‘own’

taxidermist at home provides a degree of comfort.

• There are world-class taxidermists at home that may be preferable to use, regardless of costs.

Cons:• With tanning usually done off-site and

backlogs of work, it generally takes considerably longer to get the taxidermy work done at home.

• More steps in the process.• Lack of familiarity with the (African)

species. • Increased overall costs.

Having the taxidermy done in Africa or at home


Cost comparisonShoulder mount – Springbok, Blesbok, Impala, Kudu and Gemsbok

*At the time of printing*

(Average of three reputable)

Taxidermy Costs $ 3 870 Dip & Pack Fees $ 775Air Freight to Texas, USA $ 1 400 Air Freight of D&P to TX $ 920Clearing fees in Texas $ 550 Clearing fees in Texas $ 550 USA Taxidermy $ 6 150

TOTAL: $ 5 820 $ 8 395

South Africa USA

(Average of three reputable)


Hunters: What to look out for in the field

1. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that he/she hunts with a reputable outfitter, and to make absolutely certain to get a copy of the Professional Hunting Register. The first page (as it says clearly) must be handed to the client. This is proof that he/she did a legal hunt in this country.

2. It is also imperative the client monitors the handling of his trophies. Hairslip is always caused by bacteria getting in within the first 24 hours of the animal being shot! If the trophy is a delicately-haired animal like an nyala or kudu, the PH should have

a sailcloth to lift/drag it so as not to damage the cape. Without a canvas, drag marks are only seen once the skin is tanned and are just as serious as hairslip. Also, if the guys are going to a far-off concession for a gemsbok say, they might shoot an impala or hog or bushbuck or steenbok early and spend the rest of the day looking for that gemsbok. Meanwhile the first trophy is still

on the back of a hot truck the whole day, so at the very least these early-hunted animals need the guts removed and hung in the shade somewhere.

3. Lastly, the client should know that he/she has the right to not only choose whoever they want to work with if they are having their trophies mounted in Africa, and the outfitter is obliged to contact that company and arrange to get the trophies there. Of course, this is a bit nonsensical if it’s just a dip and ship which most can get right. Also, it is recommended, where possible, the client visits the dip/pack facility or taxidermist that the outfitter recommends. This is usually a short detour on the way home, and is always worth the trouble so the client can see and meet the people he/she will be dealing with, and asses the facility.


Dipping and packing is the minimum processing a hunting trophy must undergo in order to

be exported from an African country and imported into another country. Check that your dipping and packing agent has veterinarian approval to operate as such.Antlers, bones, carcasses, hoofs, horns, skulls, teeth and tusks must be clean, dry and free of undried pieces of hide, flesh, sinew or any other organic matter. They must also be disinfected with a product authorized by the African authority, in

What is dipping and packing?

The disinfection process includes the following methods:

1. Soaking the inner cores and horns in boiling water for a minimum period. 2. Soaking the inner cores in 0.1% Chlorine Bleach solution for a minimum period. 3. Soaking the horns in a 5% Formaldehyde solution for a minimum period.4. Soaking the inner cores in a 5% hydrogen peroxide solution for a minimum

period.

Untanned hides or skins must be dried to the extent that they look brittle enough to crack when bent. Hides should be treated with an approved insecticide during the dipping and packing process.Trophies should be packed immediately after treatment, without coming into contact with other products of animal origin that could result in possible contamination.Trophies that have been professionally cleaned are free of dirt, blood, insects and putrid odors.Trophies that have been dipped and packed must be consigned to an approved establishment, like a tannery or a taxidermist; they cannot be sent directly to a client.Clients should be aware that insecticides have a limited shelf life and will lose their effectiveness over a period of time, which may lead to infestations.

particular with hydrogen peroxide where parts consisting of bone are concerned.


When people plan their hunt abroad, often the last thing they think of is the process of getting their trophies home safely. It’s something that hunters can handle themselves, but it’s highly recommended that a Customs Broker is used to ensure

their trophies arrive home without problems. A broker’s goal is to not only clear the shipment in a timely manner, but to also make sure the process is done legally. Often, however, a broker is not contacted until after the hunt has been completed, and the hunter is then advised that he should have a clearing agent once the trophies are ready to ship. Although there is no problem with doing it this way, the following information will help to better prepare you for your trip, and to make sure your importing goes smoothly.Prior to your trip abroad, hunters should contact a Customs Broker and provide information on the countries that he is traveling to, and give a list of animals that he plans on taking. This allows the broker to provide any information that could potentially affect the importing process. Certain countries and animals have special regulations. Once the trip has been completed, it is important for the hunter to obtain his copy of the Hunt Register from the outfitter. It is also important that you let your outfitter and foreign taxidermist know which Port of Entry you are using, as well as the name of your broker. Once you are home, it is important to contact your broker again to advise him of any additional information. When your trophies are ready to be shipped, you will be contacted by foreign shipping agents who will not only be handling your freight, but are also responsible for gathering your permits and documentation. Make sure your broker is copied in all of the correspondence. When the freight has been shipped, your broker will take over and handle clearances through any inspection processes and Customs. The process usually takes one to two weeks from the day of arrival. Once this has been completed, your broker can also arrange for the delivery to your home or taxidermist.

Customs Clearing By Michael Coppersmith

Things to consider• Decide if you want to add insurance to your freight. This can be obtained through your

foreign shipper. Insurance is not provided by US companies, so ensure that the insurance you are purchasing is door-to-door.

• Choose a US Customs Broker that specializes in this type of freight. Not all brokers handle hunting trophies.

Cost to consider• Foreign Side - Crating, Permit and Documentation Fees, Foreign Shipping Cost,

Insurance of Freight • US Charges - Terminal Handling and Airport Storage Charges (Paid Directly to Airlines),

Customs Broker Fees, Warehousing, CITES Inspection fees (if applicable), Delivery to final destination.


CapturingNatural Beauty

Don’t Compromise.For honest, affordable, high quality workmanship and unbeatable service to match, use Bullseye Taxidermy.

AHG1523

Corner Melkrivier & Sterkstroom Roads, Vaalwater, South AfricaTel: +27 14 755 4945 • Craig: +27 82 775 8489 • Trish: +27 83 690 0061

Email: [email protected] • www.bullseyetaxidermy.co.za


CapturingNatural Beauty

Don’t Compromise.For honest, affordable, high quality workmanship and unbeatable service to match, use Bullseye Taxidermy.

AHG1523

Corner Melkrivier & Sterkstroom Roads, Vaalwater, South AfricaTel: +27 14 755 4945 • Craig: +27 82 775 8489 • Trish: +27 83 690 0061

Email: [email protected] • www.bullseyetaxidermy.co.za

• Once your trophy is delivered to the taxidermist, check that they have coverage while under their watch and workmanship. As mentioned before, if your trophies are mounted in Africa and there are some unforeseen problems, they can generally be attended to, with replacement skins being available, before the trophies leave the African shore.

• Once completed, crated and ready for transporting, you should ensure your trophies ‘in transit’ are covered, from the warehouse to where it is loaded onto an aircraft, then shipped and eventually offloaded at the port of entry. Once inspected by the authorities and cleared through customs, it is delivered to the final destination. This may be your trophy room or the taxidermist back home where it is to be mounted.

• NB: Most insurance policies cover to the port of entry only, but not onward from there. From the clearing agent and along the delivery route to your trophy room back home, there is an additional and often overlooked risk. Sadly, many hunters have never even been presented with the option to get insurance on their trophies.

Insurance and what it covers: Where do responsibilities begin and end? Most hunters don’t even think about

insurance on their trophies. Should they, and if so, why? Insurance protects you if there is damage to your trophies when they are transported - a horn is broken in transit or, worse, a crate gets dropped and your trophies are badly damaged. In

the extreme, the consignment may get written off or lost. With insurance, a hunter can make a claim when an unfortunate loss occurs, and that’s where the fine print

becomes important. Coverage details should be clarified with the shipper before your trophies leave the taxidermist.

Insurance options• You can seek an insurer on your own, or

simply use the experienced services of AHG Shipping.

• At AHG Shipping we cover the risk of all the trophies we ship, from the time they leave the taxidermist until the trophies are hanging in your home.

• What you are covered for with AHG Shipping are damages, and - if lost or destroyed - a flight fee, trophy fee (represented industry norm), hunt costs, taxidermy, and shipping fees)


• We are independent, and willingly work with any and all outfitters and taxidermists.• We are based right at Joburg’s OR Tambo airport.• We have a base in Montana, USA.• We crate and /or collect trophies from your taxidermist anywhere in South Africa.• We arrange all export permits where necessary.• We work with customs clearing agents to ensure a door-to-door service for you, if

you want.• We cover the risk to your trophies from door to door (from the taxidermist in South

Africa through to your trophy room or your taxidermist back home). • We exhibit at the major shows in North America and Europe – so you always know

where to find us.

What services does AHG Shipping offer?

Our motto: SAVE MONEY – HUNT MORE

Hunters should check the costs of services and insurance provided by shippers. Shippers have historically been recommended by the taxidermists – some of whom have their own shipping company. But check the details of what services

they are providing. Why would I instruct my taxidermist to use AHG Shipping? In one simple sentence, your trophies are insured from the taxidermist to your home and our rates are the best. Period.


SA taxidermistsACE taxidermy [email protected] acetaxidermy.co.za

African Artistry taxidermy info@african_artistry.co.za african-artistry.co.za

African Expressions Taxidermy [email protected] aetaxidermy.com

African Memories taxidermy [email protected] amtaxidermy.co.z

African Pride taxidermy [email protected] taxidermysouthafrica.com

African San taxidermy [email protected] africansan.com

African Wildlife Artistry [email protected] africanwildlifeartistry.co.za

Africas Best taxidermy [email protected] africasbesttaxidermy.co.za

Afrikan Tanning taxidermy [email protected] afrikantradersonline.com

Amara Taxidermy [email protected] amarataxidermy.comAndre Van Rooyen Taxidermy [email protected] avrtaxidermy.co.za

Big Buck Taxidermy [email protected] bigbuck.co.za

Buck 'n Bass Taxidermy [email protected] bucknbass.co.za

Bull's Eye Taxidermy [email protected] bullseyetaxidermy.co.za

Busch Taxidermy [email protected] buschtaxidermy.co.za

Capricorn Taxidermy [email protected] capricorntaxidermy.co.za

Diana Taxidermy [email protected] dianataxidermy.com

Estelle Nel Taxidermy [email protected] estelleneltaxidermy.co.za

Field & Stream Taxidermy [email protected] fieldandstream.co.za

Game Over Taxidermy [email protected] gameovertaxidermy.co.za

HGI Taxidermy Studio [email protected] hgitaxidermy.com

Highveld Taxidermists [email protected] highveldtaxidermists.com

Hunters & Collectors Taxidermy [email protected] huntersandcollectors.co.za

Images of Africa Taxidermy [email protected] imagesafrica.co.za

Joe Regal Taxidermy [email protected] joeregal.co.za

JP Kleinhans Taxidermy [email protected] jpkleinhanssafaris.com

Kalahari Taxidermy [email protected] kalaharioutfitters.co.za

Karl Human Taxidermy [email protected] karlhumantaxidermy.co.za


Karoo Taxidermy [email protected] karootaxidermy.com

Karoo Animal Art Studio [email protected] kaastudio.comKotoko Taxidermy and Tannery [email protected] kotoko.co.za

Life-Form Taxidermy [email protected] lifeformtaxidermy.com

Limpopo Taxidermy [email protected] limpopotaxidermy.com

Magnum Taxidermy [email protected] magnumtaxidermy.com

Natural Creations Taxidermy [email protected] naturaltaxidermy.co.za

New Creation Taxidermy [email protected] taxidermycreation.com

Nico Van Rooyen Taxidermy [email protected] taxidermy.co.za

Nylstroom Taxidermy [email protected] nyltaxidermy.com

Oasis Taxidermy [email protected] oasistanning.co.za

Oberholzer Taxidermy [email protected] sataxidermy.co.za

Rosedale Safaris, Tours and Taxidermy [email protected] rosedalesafaris.com

Safari Taxidermy safaritaxidermy.co.za

Sandra Linde Taxidermy [email protected] sandralindetaxidermy.co.za

Savuti Taxidermy [email protected] savutitaxidermy.co.za

Spiral Horn Taxidermy [email protected] spiralhorntaxidermy.com

Spirit of Africa Taxidermy [email protected] soataxidermy.co.za

Splitting Image Taxidermy [email protected] splittingimagetaxidermy.co.za

Swift Dip Taxidermy [email protected] swiftdip.co.za

Taxidermy Africa [email protected] taxidermyafrica.com

Trans African Taxidermists [email protected] transafrican.com

Trophex Taxidermy [email protected] trophex.co.za

Trophy Solutions Africa [email protected] trophy-care.com

Universal Trophy Services Taxidermy [email protected] universaltrophyservices.

co.za

Veldtschoen Taxidermy [email protected] veldtschoen.co.za

Wild Africa Taxidermy [email protected] wildafricataxidermy.co.za

Witbank Taxidermy [email protected] witbanktaxidermy.co.za

SA taxidermists


Specializing inthe importation ofHunting Trophiesfrom aroundthe world

CUSTOMS BROKERSwith offi ces throughout the United States

Michael CoppersmithNational Hunting Trophy Coordinator

LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE U.S.LOS ANGELES • SAN FRANCISCO • PORTLAND • SEATTLE • ATLANTA • DALLAS • HOUSTON • CHICAGO • NEW YORK

[email protected] • 404-366-1650 ext.13 • www.huntingtrophy.com

Endorsed by Craig Boddington

www.AHGshipping.com

Save money. Hunt more

• Our African base is right at Joburg’s OR Tambo Airport• We are both sides of the Atlantic

• AHG exhibits at all the major shows, DSC, SCI and Calgary• We can offer a door-to-door service

• We offer door-to-door cover• We are a trusted name in the industry

TAXIDERMY · 2020. 1. 9. · African Trophy Taxidermy 3 T his booklet is designed to give traveling...

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