I have an opportunity to hunt in South Africa in 2023.

Here's my question to y'all that have done something like this before:

Did you choose to taxidermy in-country and then ship to the US?
Of did you opt to ship the dipped and tanned trophy to a taxidermist in the US?

My hunt includes bushpig, bushbuck, and warthog.

Thanks in advance!

When I went in 2004, I chose to have it done in South Africa and shipped to the US. We toured the facility and their work was gorgeous. Unfortunately, they added a bunch of staff right about then, and when I got my mounts, they were terrible. I sent them back. The replacement work was great, but it was a big hassle. Not saying that's the experience you will have, but it's what I had.

Ironically enough, when I saw the sample taxidermy in Namibia, it looked pretty shaky and I really had second thoughts. What arrived here in Texas when I opened the crate was much nicer than their display work, a pleasant surprise indeed. This was in 2016.

Never, ever have your mounts done over there.

Any taxidermist will tell you that. Let them do the dip and pack and then send the crate to be mounted stateside.


Why risk having one of the most memorable trips of your life marred by shoddy taxidermy work?

You will need to set up something here in the states if you want it done here. There is some paperwork you will need to print out that will follow your animals home to a tannery that can take African animals. I have had my customers call a broker and she will make sure everything makes it thru without any hiccups. There are some horror stories about hunters losing their animals because of being off one number. If you have any questions please message email or call me. I don't know everything and still learning as I will be having my first african animals come in from tannery next year. But I can get an answer or point you in the right direction.

i hunted on RSA 2017, had taxidermy work done by Nylstroom. 9 shoulder mounts back in 8 months, price was better/comparable to US even considering shipping. I felt the work was good. I went again in 2021, this time to the eastern coast. The price had gone up substantially. I decided to get everything done back stateside, as the cost was going to be about equal, maybe less considering shipping. Everything got back from the tannery about 1 month ago. If im lucky, i might have everything back by the spring. I feel more comfortable having the stuff with the taxidermist in Texas i have a lot of experience with but the turn around time will have been quite long.

Have Coppersmith or Trophy Shippers clear customs for you and have them shipped back if you plan to do shoulder mounts. Those 3 animals will take up very little space so shipping won’t be astronomical. You’ll need a USDA approved facility/taxidermist for the pig parts once it clears customs, however. Either of the customs brokers I named can handle this for you. Also, don’t have anything tanned in SA. Just dip and pack and send home.

I have hunted Namibia and South Africa 5 times. My first 4 trips, I had the taxidermy done over there with mixed results. This last trip in 2021, I had it shipped back to be mounted here. It was more expensive to have them mounted here, but in my opinion it was worth it. With that being said, the animals your planning on hunting, I would probably have them mounted over there. Both the pigs have USDA import requirements that are a pain in the butt, but if mounted there can easily be imported.

I have always used Coppersmiths as an import broker and all my shipments and have always been happy with them.

The animals you have chosen to hunt are some of my favorites. Bushbuck in particular are my absolute favorite. However, in my opinion, no safari is complete without a Kudu!!!!

Have fun and post some pictures after your trip.

We did it 7 or 8 years ago; had it done there with no problem. Three hunters mounts all came in one big crate. Unbelievable packing.

I’ve heard of others having problems but I’ve also had, and heard of, problems with stuff mounted here.