1. The workmanship is shoddy - If one took the trouble to have checked out the taxidermist first and seen the work, there shouldn't have been a problem. As in the States or anywhere else in the world, there are many fly-by- nights and many lacking the artistic ability to perform good workmanship. On visiting the taxidermist, check to see if he is using the correct colour, quality eyes, that his forms are anatomically correct, that the facial expressions portray a kind of “soft look”, and that he is using the highest quality tanning chemicals to preserve the life of the trophy. A crucial thing is to always check the way the finishing touches have been put into the mount, if there was any repair work it should be neatly stitched and covered up so that it isn't noticeable and there should be white edges on the eyes.

 

2. It takes long to get them back - The most amount of time one should expect to wait for a consignment of trophies is a year, not including the shipping time. After a year, the dry salted skins begin to show signs of aging, they would have been at more risk to insect damage, humidity and bacteria, and would not tan better than if they had been processed sooner. Bullseye has an average turnaround time of six months

 

3. Freighting charges are higher as they are more bulky - True. You will pay more for the extra volumetric weight than if they were being dipped and packed. But remember, if they are sent dipped and packed to you, the regulations declare they must be flown in by aircraft, which is very costly. When you have them mounted or processed first, the consignment is permitted to travel by sea, which takes a bit longer but works out about half the price of airfreight.

1. Good quality pieces - When the trophies are in the hands of experts, they will probably look better than what someone on a different continent can make them. This is simply because we do a lot more of our species, we see them when they come in unskinned from the bush, study them, photograph them in their natural state, take death masks of their faces using plaster and we are able to take actual measurement of them regularly when we are in the bush. Also, should a cape have hairslip, we have a vast selection available to replace it.

 

2. You save a fortune - With the favorable exchange rate, we can and do offer lower prices than what you’d get locally. Think of it this way: you shoot a kudu on your safari and want it shipped to your taxidermist in the states raw so that he can do it. You are going to pay a taxidermist here to dip and pack it, crate it and organise the documentation, which should come to about $200 depending where you go. He then gives it to the freight agent, who will charge you airfare rates to get it across which should come to about $450. Then you’ve got to pay the taxidermist there, probably about $1500 to have him do it, till the animal is finally sitting on your wall. Total bill, about $2150, and it would probably have taken at least 9 months. Get it done here, cost for mounting it, packing it in a box and organising paperwork $750, and about $420 to go by sea in a bulkier crate to be delivered to your front door, total cost $1180. It just makes sense.

 

3. Peace of mind - You can enjoy the feeling that your trophies will be collected free of charge from your last Safari camp in SA, tagged, stored, and mounted according to your preference by professionals, soon to be exhibited in your trophy room while you relive the memories.

Most hunters have their own taxidermy back home they have trusted for years to create masterpieces from their trohies. When you have come a long way with someone, it is understandable to rather rely on them to mount your trophies in a way you can keep the memory alive for the years to come. The pros and cons of mounting your trophies in Africa are discussed on the SOUTH AFRICAN TAXIDERMY tab above. 

 

If you decide to use your own Taxidermy in your own country, please make sure to understand the rules and regulations about exporting your skulls, horns and hides. The process are being discussed on the DIP & PACK tab above.

 

When choosing a Taxidermy in your own country, regardless of their skills, make sure they are familiar with African animals. Due to the high predator factor, the hides are much thicker and perfect tanning without hairslip is a skill required.

The shape of the animal's face and especially expressions are important. If your taxidermy does not know the behaviour of African animals, they would not be able to capture emotion and behaviour (for example the way the ears are formed or the type of eye to use) with true African authentication. I have seen many taxidermy mishaps from fly by night backyard taxidermy in countries other than Africa. An expert eye will easily tell the difference. Make sure you are not making this mistake.