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One of Us |
It looks like it cost less to have your Taxidermy work done in Africa, but is the cost savings lost in the shipping of the finished products vs just shipping Hides & Horns? | ||
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| One of Us |
it all depends on the taxidermists fees, volumes etc. shipping by ocean ship is (or was at least) about 1/3 of air freight. sometimes you can use it and sometimes you can't. (raw hides are a no no). i've saved considerable amounts by doing it in africa, and then again i've spent more than having it done here. one thing comes first, and that is finding a top quality operation either here or there. | |||
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| One of Us |
Lifeform Taxidermy in SA was recommended to me. My concern is the shipping cost of maybe a Buffalo and Warthog? | |||
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one of us |
I have several mounts done by Lifeform and am very pleased with the quality. Their customer service was also first rate. Here is a pic of my buff that they did. He's no monster but he was my first African animal.  Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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| One of Us |
last time i had stuff done we had about a quarter of a semi load of crates and it cost something like 3500 to bring it in on ship. took 30 days to get here and everything came through just fine. lands in chacago & you have to freight it from there. that price is fairly old now, but any clearing agent can get you ideas | |||
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| One of Us |
Finding a good taxidermist to me is the most important part of the whole hunt.I only use andre van rooyen taxidermist.His attention to detail is unrivelled.His knowledge of the anatomy of the animal is brilliant.every animal that comes out of their is finished of by him.Ive just started building my trophy room.Andre has done over 100 mounts of mine.when it is finished i will post the pics and then you will see what iam talking about.Taxidermist like him are few and far between | |||
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One of Us |
I use Life-Form and for me the cost has always been less, even when factoring in all shipping costs. (I use ocean freight, BTW.) Besides the cost of the mounts themselves, you need to factor in the following when considering having the actual taxidermy work done in RSA: 1. Shipping cost from origin country to Life-Form in RSA. 2. Shipping cost from RSA to USA port of entry. 3. Shipping cost from USA port of entry to your door. Life-Form recommend Safari Air Cargo Systems in RSA and Fauna and Flora Custom House Brokerage here in the USA. I have used them several times and they have always provided me with a door to door price on the finished mount shipping costs. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
I will be hunting in RSA and I had a previous quote from SCS which seemed quite reasonable. The problem on the previous one was getting it from Tanzania to RSA. | |||
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One of Us |
Larrys01, Call SCS..Abie just purchased his own taxidermy company and I hear that the mounts are as good or better than the other company for much less$$$ Karamojo Bill At then end of my time here, I want to come skidding through the Pearly Gates & hear God say, "Whoa Boy, that was a hell of a ride!" | |||
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| One of Us |
Bill I will have my PH check into it. Has anyone tried them yet? Larry | |||
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| One of Us |
NEVER AGAIN WILL I USE AFRICAN TAXIDERMIST. YOU WILL PAY HALF AS MUCH TO SHIP RAW HIDES IT WILL GET HERE IN A 10TH OF THE TIME AND YOU CAN GET IT DONE HERE WHENEVER YOU PLEASE. NRA LIFE MEMBER DU DIAMOND SPONSOR IN PERPETUITY DALLAS SAFARI CLUB LIFE MEMBER SCI FOUNDATION MEMBER | |||
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One of Us |
I've read posts here of folks saying to skip the taxidermy altogether. I spent as much on taxidermy as I did my entire safari.....and it took three years to get it all done..... When I first read the posts saying to bring home only photos I was somewhat irked.....in time I got over it and would consider only horns and hides next time.....and would have the hides tanned there given good reference. If cost is the issue....bring only the photos! BTW....my mounts are not for sale! /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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One of Us |
Well of course I am bias being a USA taxidermist. Personally I wouldn't hang that buffalo mount of Blacktails in my mother in laws garage, I think it is that bad. If cost is everything to you just have European type skull mounts done over there and be happy. There are good and bad taxidermists in every country.The best tanneries and suppliers of taxidermy mannikins are here in the States and also Canada so that alone by common sense makes a difference in the finished product. Fact: You most always will recieve exactly what you pay for. If mediocre and cheap is OK by you then that is always the route you should take. If excellence and perfection at a fair price and the ability to personally visit your taxidermist during and or after the work is done, have a qualified studio over here do your work. | |||
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| one of us |
You must be very fond of your mother in law. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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| One of Us |
No I am not found of her and that mount looks alot like her on a good day. Sorry but thats the truth. Quality taxidermy costs more than junk mass produced taxidermy just like anything else and that mount is not a quailty job and it looks like most African taxidermy I have seen to my eye. Most of the taxidermy, NOT ALL!, I have seen over the past 36 years in this business that was done in Africa is junk compared to most of taxidermy work done over here by reputable studios. .Of course if your happy with it then I suppose that is all that really matters. | |||
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| one of us |
Regardless of cost or quality my consideration has always been what to do if a mistake is made in pose or anything else when you trophies are mounted in Africa. Do you send them back to Africa to be fixed? That is not likely so you are just going to live with the mount and be pissed everytime you see it. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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| new member |
I totaly agree with Jim , "Sculptor" on that buffalo mount....it is one of the worst I have ever seen taxidermy wise... it is lifeless, and the eyes are so wrong it isn't funny....there is no detail on the face and head whatsoever...a Cape Buffalo if properly done is a stunning piece for any throphy room...however, that Buffalo looks GAY | |||
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One of Us |
Well, I'm glad I waited until someone else hammered that buffalo. That's terrible. There's some animosity in Africa towards hunters who use taxidermy services there but ship their hides back here. I've seen it all too often and know for a fact on several occasions that hides were swapped (bullet holes in photos don't lie when compared to holes in hides). I'm sorry, the the best taxidermy in the world is being done in the USA and in Canada. African work reminds me a lot of that crook Gray's in Florida where "one size fits all" and the quality stinks. The best tanneries are here, the best manikins are made here, and when it comes to refining fine details, your taxidermist will be right here as well. You simply MUST, however, insure that your animals are skinned properly and that you get your hides back. If you're unaware of how to do that, contact your local taxidermist and have him teach you. He'll gladly help you as his job will only be easier if you do your part. RETIRED Taxidermist | |||
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NRA LIFE MEMBER DU DIAMOND SPONSOR IN PERPETUITY DALLAS SAFARI CLUB LIFE MEMBER SCI FOUNDATION MEMBER | |||
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| one of us |
Either it's poor camera angle or there really is no accounting for taste  Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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| One of Us |
Here we go again . . . Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
Although you are happy with your buff mount (which is all that really matters), it does suck.. It looks drummed out, lifeless, and totally anatomically incorrect. BTW, I have been a taxidermist for 15 years now with 95% of all my work done being African.. The studio where I worked for 10 years was Buckshot Taxidermy in TX.. world renowned for producing some of the best of the best "hard to mount" animals in the world..ie. bongo, cats, Asian sheep, etc. | |||
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| One of Us |
No disrespect intended but that buff looks rather young to me. I'm glad you are happy with it. That's what really matters. The only easy day is yesterday! | |||
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someone said it If Blacktailer is happy, who cares. I don't think we should bust on his trophy, kind of like busting on his wife Sometimes less said the better NRA LIFE MEMBER DU DIAMOND SPONSOR IN PERPETUITY DALLAS SAFARI CLUB LIFE MEMBER SCI FOUNDATION MEMBER | |||
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| <The Artistry of Wildlife> |
Just like an ugly woman.. Somebody, somewhere LOVES her  I'm NOT getting into this, You go George Jim and Marc.. if people can't see the difference is quality work and hack work, they will never be my client....Mounts with less than 180 Day Delivery. The Artistry of Wildlife  info@artistryofwildlife.com | ||
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one of us |
I think Blacktailer got a hook up! At least I hope that was his intent. "There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark | |||
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One of Us |
I'm bias being a American taxidermist but since you live in this country-if you do - you should help out your economy and in this case you should support the USA economy, its just the way to go.!! If your taxidermist is no good at African game , go elsewhere. Plus you can talk or go see the progress and change your mind about the poses if you want ,etc. You cannot do that with an African taxidermist unless you fly there alot. Taxidermy is not like buying a car that everyone has that model for sale ,every taxidermist art is different-so go and shop around but look at the work, not the rates. Support the USA !!  www.african-montana-taxidermy.com life member of SCI life member of NRA NTA Master Scorer SCI Scorer for Rowland Ward www.african-montana-taxidermy.com | |||
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| one of us |
OK Boys, Larry asked about Lifeform and I gave him my personal experience with them. Yes that is a young buff that I got. As I stated it was my first African animal on my first safari and when the PH said "shoot" I wasn't going to stand there and have a discussion about whether the gene pool had been sufficiently filled. As far as whether Lifeform can do buffalo mounts, well they do hundreds every year. Maybe somebody should visit White River and tell them they don't know how to do taxidermy. The taxidermy on my last 2 safaris has been done stateside. Anyone who makes a blanket statement as to who can do taxidermy based on where they are located is showing their ignorance. There are some who do excellent work and some that don't. If I hunt RSA again, Lifeform will do my work. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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| One of Us |
The biggest mistake alot of hunters make is not going personally to have a look at the taxidermists work.They just trust the ph and let him take it to who ever he wants.There are some really bad taxidermist out there. when i started hunting i thought they were all the same.I didnt realize that it was a art.I learnt the hard way. | |||
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| one of us |
If they come out pretty, you're doing something wrong  Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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| One of Us |
Blacktailer, you are a man of grace and class.  And as my old daddy used to say when raising his glass: "Here's to those with grace and class. Those without can kiss my ass!"  Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
Because someone has done hundereds of what ever doesn't mean they are correct. Hell listen to H&R Blocks ad they find errors on 4 of 5 returns they review. I haven't review a return prepared by H& R Block that didn't have an error and that is over a period of 30+ years. I had an accounting prof in college that said repatition does not make for correctness i e swing a baseball bat holding the fat end and you will never be a good hitter. | |||
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one of us |
I think that anyone who claims taxidermy from one country or another is always better or worse than another country either doesn't know what they're talking about or has an axe to grind. Taxidermy is (at least in part) an art form and there are good and bad artists and taxidermists all over the world and with the advent of the internet everyone has access to the same supplies from all over the world. All you have to do to find proof of that is to visit the taxidermy forum here. There's plenty of examples of both good and bad taxidermy right there from all over the world....... Personally, I reckon Lifeform are one of the best anywhere in the world and I reckon their prices are more than fair. Of course, all that said, the cold hard truth is that many/most people use price as their primary criteria when choosing a taxidermist and that ain't ever gonna find you the best product......... there's also the unfortunate truth that many people wouldn't be able to tell good from bad taxidermy anyway, simply because they haven't seen enough of the relevent animals in their natural habitat with normal behaviour anyway.  | |||
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One of Us |
I guess I have been lucky so far, since everybody who has seen my trophies (I only have a handful and I don't have a buffalo yet) says the work is excellent. Perhaps they just don't want to burst my bubble. I have used LifeForm. I have used Andre Van Rooyen and I have used a French taxidermist as well. To be honest, I don't think anyone could tell the difference in quality from one to the other with my trophies. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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| One of Us |
The appeal of taxidermy is in the eye of the beholder. What is to gain from cutting down someone else's mount? Saying something nice is admirable, being negative with no purpose or nothing to gain is childish. Seems there are some kids that practice taxidermy... | |||
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| One of Us |
CaptMike, someone ask about a certain taxidermist and another poster posted an example of that persons work and what followed were comment on the quality of the work. Apparently in the eyes of some posters the work was not of the quality they expect and stated such. Personally I wouldn't use a taxidermist in Africa simply because of the logistics etc if I were unhappy with the results I would basically be shit up the creek. I am lucky to have a couple of very good taxidermists within a 30 mile radius. The one I use most comes to my office and we determine where to hang the finished product and pose the mount accordingly. I will say the down side to this is it is very difficult to change locations of the mount. | |||
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