Apparently, USFWS has a new man in Baltimore, MD. He is causing quite a problem in that he is now requiring that all ungulates imported from Africa must go through a licensed importer with quarantine facilities and may not be picked up in person by the hunter. Almost everything you take in Africa is an ungulate, except for cats and warthogs. A bunch of trophies are now sitting in a warehouse in the Baltimore area because this jerkovski won't sign off on them. Anyone else in this boat?
THE LUCKIEST HUNTER ALIVE!
Posts: 853 | Location: St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: 08 January 2004
How can this man make his own rules? I'd have to say you need to go over his head, call USF&W in Washington DC, talk with head of F&W, the way he's "inforcing" is not the way the law is writen...
"America's Meat - - - SPAM"
As always, Good Hunting!!!
Widowmaker416
Posts: 1782 | Location: New Jersey USA | Registered: 12 July 2004
I dont wish to (pull the piss) or be to cynicil BUT that new chap/bloke sounds like he could be one of those bone heads we tend to come across often in AFRICA whom thinks he is the Lord or something special
Peter
Posts: 3331 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 27 February 2001
It is being done as we post here. Fortunately, I decided this time to let Mike Showers in Aspers who is a licensed importer and quarantine facility do my importing rather than having to go to Baltimore myself. When this is done and I am in posession of my stuff, my poison pen will come out and this guy will feel at least a tiny little bit of heat. I posted this only so that some of you might have a "heads up" on the situation.
The guy who was with USFWS in Baltimore two years ago was a pleasure to deal with. Unfortunately, he has retired. This guy sounds like the BTK killer, a stickler for details and a very self-important person. Maybe he has a sideline, like BTK did?
THE LUCKIEST HUNTER ALIVE!
Posts: 853 | Location: St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: 08 January 2004
The last two trips abroad I used Baltimore but had Samuel Shapiro & Co act as my agents and had no problems picking the trophies up my self thus saving domestic freight. I can be at BWI in about 1 1/2 hrs from home. Prior to this I had used F & F and the fgt from NY was almost as bad as the air freight from RSA.
Posts: 5338 | Location: Bedford, Pa. USA | Registered: 23 February 2002
Like you, my friend, I had absolutely no trouble in the past, but times and personell have changed. You don't say when your last trip was. Shapiro is not a licensed quarantine facility for ungulates. As far as I know, the only one in reasonable distance to us is Keystone Fur Dressing, Mike Showers' establishment, near Gettysburg, PA. Good luck in the future. I hope we can get this thing back to normal. It seems to be a case of a bureaucrat with some power and a will to wield it.
THE LUCKIEST HUNTER ALIVE!
Posts: 853 | Location: St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: 08 January 2004
I picked up my last shipment in April of this year. I will check with Genia and see what they know. I sent an email to Genia, but on rereading your post I never delt with anyone from USGF&W. I went to the BA warehouse and signed for my goods and they loaded the crates on my truck and away I went. I just spoke with Genia and it is at USDA not USGF&W. I am calling them now.
Posts: 5338 | Location: Bedford, Pa. USA | Registered: 23 February 2002
I had a similiar problem last year in Baltimore. She was new to the job so I kindly asked her to fax me over the regulations from USFWS that explained why she could not clear my trophies. Once I looked at them, I called backed, answered her questions, showed her documention from the company that handled the dipping and shipping and she admitted she was wrong and that I could come and get my trophies. I work about 15 minutes from airport, zipped over, and was able to get my trophies. Creative Concepts Taxidermy is Jessup is a licensed importer/exporter and will clear stuff if he is not busy for a very reasonable fee.
The danger of civilization, of course, is that you will piss away your life on nonsense