Trophies finally home (ah sorta)

17 August 2014, 03:07

After 2 years of struggle to get my trophies home, they finally arrived in Vancouver. All they had to do was get through the inspection and they would be homeward bound. As per usual anything that has Guy and Sarah Whittals finger prints on will probably be a wreck. So now my trophies sit in quarantine because they are full of bugs. My trophies were lucky that they did not fall out of the card board box they were sent in. 5th trip to Africa never have had anything come back looking as bad as these trophies. My elephant ears that were so poorly tanned that they have huge holes every where. All that I can say about the whole fiasco is never, never ever book a trip with the Whittals. At one time I think their father was a very reputable person but certainly not the children. I have not even spoken about the hunt and all who were involved because it is not worth the time to put it to paper. The only reason I have spoke now is I sort of have my damage trophies in hand and the Whittals can not wreck my trophies or the hunt anymore then they already have. So if anyone can get anything out of my disaster is to stay away from the Whittals.

17 August 2014, 03:37

Steve Ahrenberg

paging Shakari to the white courtesy phone.

17 August 2014, 03:40

shakari

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
paging Shakari to the white courtesy phone.

Oh very droll!

17 August 2014, 03:45

Steve Ahrenberg

A little comic relief perhaps?

17 August 2014, 03:53

Jefffive

quote:
Originally posted by kellysolmonson:
After 2 years of struggle to get my trophies home, they finally arrived in Vancouver. All they had to do was get through the inspection and they would be homeward bound. As per usual anything that has Guy and Sarah Whittals finger prints on will probably be a wreck. So now my trophies sit in quarantine because they are full of bugs. My trophies were lucky that they did not fall out of the card board box they were sent in. 5th trip to Africa never have had anything come back looking as bad as these trophies. My elephant ears that were so poorly tanned that they have huge holes every where. All that I can say about the whole fiasco is never, never ever book a trip with the Whittals. At one time I think their father was a very reputable person but certainly not the children. I have not even spoken about the hunt and all who were involved because it is not worth the time to put it to paper. The only reason I have spoke now is I sort of have my damage trophies in hand and the Whittals can not wreck my trophies or the hunt anymore then they already have. So if anyone can get anything out of my disaster is to stay away from the Whittals.

You should write up a comprehensive report covering everything, start to finish. Just the facts.

17 August 2014, 03:55

Steve Ahrenberg

quote:
Originally posted by Jefffive:
quote:
Originally posted by kellysolmonson:
After 2 years of struggle to get my trophies home, they finally arrived in Vancouver. All they had to do was get through the inspection and they would be homeward bound. As per usual anything that has Guy and Sarah Whittals finger prints on will probably be a wreck. So now my trophies sit in quarantine because they are full of bugs. My trophies were lucky that they did not fall out of the card board box they were sent in. 5th trip to Africa never have had anything come back looking as bad as these trophies. My elephant ears that were so poorly tanned that they have huge holes every where. All that I can say about the whole fiasco is never, never ever book a trip with the Whittals. At one time I think their father was a very reputable person but certainly not the children. I have not even spoken about the hunt and all who were involved because it is not worth the time to put it to paper. The only reason I have spoke now is I sort of have my damage trophies in hand and the Whittals can not wreck my trophies or the hunt anymore then they already have. So if anyone can get anything out of my disaster is to stay away from the Whittals.

You should write up a comprehensive report covering everything, start to finish. Just the facts.

In all seriousness, I agree with Jeff. A drive by like this with just a few posts, looks sketchy. If you do a full report, it will generate much discussion.

17 August 2014, 04:06

Beretta682E

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
quote:
Originally posted by Jefffive:
quote:
Originally posted by kellysolmonson:
After 2 years of struggle to get my trophies home, they finally arrived in Vancouver. All they had to do was get through the inspection and they would be homeward bound. As per usual anything that has Guy and Sarah Whittals finger prints on will probably be a wreck. So now my trophies sit in quarantine because they are full of bugs. My trophies were lucky that they did not fall out of the card board box they were sent in. 5th trip to Africa never have had anything come back looking as bad as these trophies. My elephant ears that were so poorly tanned that they have huge holes every where. All that I can say about the whole fiasco is never, never ever book a trip with the Whittals. At one time I think their father was a very reputable person but certainly not the children. I have not even spoken about the hunt and all who were involved because it is not worth the time to put it to paper. The only reason I have spoke now is I sort of have my damage trophies in hand and the Whittals can not wreck my trophies or the hunt anymore then they already have. So if anyone can get anything out of my disaster is to stay away from the Whittals.

You should write up a comprehensive report covering everything, start to finish. Just the facts.

In all seriousness, I agree with Jeff. A drive by like this with just a few posts, looks sketchy. If you do a full report, it will generate much discussion.

+1

You need to give more facts for your negative comments to have any real impact.

Hunt report would be great. AR discussion at least to me is very informative even though at times they get off topic.

Without more information this is no different than the last wild lion charge hunt posted in the hunt report section.

Mike

18 August 2014, 01:37

Cazador humilde

And...he's gone, apparently for another year or two. Thanks ever so much for stopping by.

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18 August 2014, 04:53

Ridgeman

More importantly - did your hunt involve any contact with wild, dope addicted Lions ?
Post a report and break out the flak jacket.

18 August 2014, 09:18

Hoot Murray

You might consider posting pictures of the "crating" and damaged trophies. "A picture is worth a thousand words." I sure feel sorry for you as the trophies and hunting them is what you went to Africa for. I have a question, if not the safari operator's fault in this issue, who else could it have been?

18 August 2014, 21:14

Orvar

Who did the tanning of the ele leather (ears)?
Who did the Dip & Pack?

19 August 2014, 05:15

kellysolmonson

Edwin from Bouna Safaris Travel and tours looked after the shipment of my trophies. These must be the people that the Whittals use. My sable hide was tanned by TCI Cuan was they guy involved with that process.In fairness TCI they appear to have done their job. He is the only one that responded to my email.He said that they had not done any work on the cleaning or the tanning of the elephant ears. The tanning and cleaning was handled by Impomente Tanning. All these arrangements were handled by the Whittals ! just paid for it. I will get pictures of my shipment so I can show how a card board box stands up on a overseas shipment. All my other trophies have always been sent in a plywood box. I just floored for the amount of money I paid to get this done that it was handled in the fashion that it was.

19 August 2014, 14:56

miketaylor

I hunted Plainsgame with Roger Whittall Safaris in July 2011 on their Humani ranch and got my trophies in early 2013. Sarah Whittall arranged everything through TCI. Sarah kept me up to date with everything. The whole process from shooting the animals to getting the trophies to my front door went smoothly and i have nothing but great things to say about RWS.

All the skins and shoulder mounts were packed in a wooden crate and arrived in perfect condition.

19 August 2014, 18:39

Dutch44

Seems, perhaps, that TCI or the agents in charge of the tanning were to blame for the poor condition/shipping containers utilized and not the Whittals. Just a thought.

Dutch

19 August 2014, 21:00

Woodhits

I hunted buffalo and plains game with Roger Whittal Safaris along with two friends in 2011. Our trophies were handled through TCI. It took a bit of time but everything arrived in the U.S. in perfect condition for all three of us. Sarah kept us in the loop the entire time. I would hunt with RWS safaris again in a second.

20 August 2014, 09:25

Trophy Consultants International

Good day Dutch44,
Just to Clarify TCI only did the sable backskin tanning and the Sable cape Pre-tan. We had no involvement with the elephant tanning, D&P, crating or shipping of these trophies.
We here at TCI and Maple freight pride ourselves in a good reliable service as a few members in this post have already assured.
Best Cuan

21 August 2014, 00:09

MikeBurke

The worse thing about TCI taking care of the shipping is unpacking. They use more than enough wood, screws, wire, and padding.

Cuan is a good guy and a helluva dancer, not with me, but I did let him dance with my wife.

21 August 2014, 00:37

RAR60

I hunted with the Whittal's in 2006. I have talked to Guy and company most every year since then @ SCI Convention. I received my trophies as someone would expect, five in all. These folks have been around a very long time. Things happen but I gather this stems more from the tannery and later than under the Whitall's responsibility other than to help you get them home.

21 August 2014, 03:22

larryshores

Guy has had some problems including some very serious matters. That doesn't mean that this is all true. Clearly he is not pure as the driven snow.

21 August 2014, 22:16

Wendell Reich

True, but who is.

Anyway, I have received trophies in everything from plywood crates to a plastic bag. Yep, my giraffe arrived in a plastic bag. Had many come thought with Cardboard in good shape, and some in questionable shape, but no damage.

dip and Pack builds the crates. Can't really blame Guy for that.

If there are issues with Guy, and or the hunt, then let that be separate.