just had a note from maple freight that zim has decided to institute some more new regulations requiring that paper work already submitted and approved be redone, locking trophies in shipment up again.

Sounds like not enough palms were greased. That sucks. What're you going to do except wait for them to act when they're holding up your shit hostage.

First I've heard of this. Wonder what it will take to get them home...and glad I did tuskless only this summer.

i guess these regulations just popped up my stuff is from 04 and 05 and was finally to get out after quite a bit of greasing, got to maple freight was supposed to be in joberg on the 4of of this month. now its back in the air again.

04 and 05...that's not good. I guess I thought you had received those this year for some reason. Which safari company was this?

I don't understand some of these problems I just had a shipment arrive that was hunted in May of this year.

Jerry,

I find the whole thing confusing. Mokore is doing their own dip/pack and an outfit called UTI is doing the shipping. Once UTI receives the trophies they say you should expect arrival in the US in 3-4 months.

The Duckworth's said the outfit handling most of the Zim trophies in the past now has new management. Service has gone down hill and thus the 2 year turn arounds.

Mark

The shippers certainly don't receive their money from hunters 2 years after the hunt. That is all up front or at the end of the hunt. Either way it is well in advance of using their services.

I wish there was a way to do that in escrow. Maybe it would clean up all of the trophy shipment disasters, misplaced trophies, etc. That stuff scares me silly.

Seems to me that there is a real void of customer service on the back end of some hunts. You can throw a rock around here and hit 1/2 dozen guys who have missing trophies or bad experiences on the back end of an otherwise great hunt. I know the govt. is trying their best to interfere as well so I am keeping that in mind.

quote:

I don't understand some of these problems I just had a shipment arrive that was hunted in May of this year.

Had an e-mail last week that my shipment left Taxidermy Enterprises in Zim and is at World-Wide Freight in the RSA. I've paid the tare and it should be on the way any day now.

I hunted in May of this year also and had two CITIES critters in the shipment - a leopard and tuskless ele skin. I felt that all went smoothly considering the latter . I know many people complain about shipping services and their resultant costs but one call to Carole Rutkowski at Coppersmith and I don't worry about the hassles afterwards.

You do get what you pay for... perhaps a call to Carole might speed things along Butchloc.

I received an email from Carla with Charlton McCallum saying, "I have packed your trophies and sealed it. The shipping agent is picking it
up today. The paperwork is in with National parks getting the Export permits
so we are on the move."

My hunt was in August of this year.

Bwanamrm,
That's a very good idea, they do have ways of getting a shipment moving.

Russell,

You getting your ele hide tanned over here or was it done in Zim?

I got my 2005 trophies last month, and got hosed in the process. $1900 for an 84 lb. crate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My taxidermist let me know more than two months ago that a shipment from an October '06 hunt with Charlton McCollum Safaris had arrived. Still waiting for the shipment from a Sept. '06 hunt with Roger Whittall Safaris. (Back to back hunts)

JPK

here's the note from maple frt
15 October 2007
Dear Clients
Delays in Hunting trophy Exports from Zimbabwe
Pleasebe advisedthat the Fishand WildlifeAuthoritieshavenotifiedusof new
regulations that are effective immediately. These new regulations require us to
change some of the documents that we have already processed so we are having
to amend them.
Weapologise for the inconveniences caused but unfortunately this isbeyond our
control.
Willcontinue to keep you posted with despatch dates from Zimbabwe.
Kind regards
~
.Lhelle Nash
Maple Freight Manager

quote:

You getting your ele hide tanned over here or was it done in Zim?

Mike,
I exchanged my panel for a pretanned piece of leather approximately the same size in the color I wanted. I know it may not be kosher to some because it is not my elephant per se but it only cost me $314 US. Cheap and fast!

Total cost including the tanned hide was $1,640... not bad IMO. Shipping is going up no doubt, but if you want your trophies back why go the cheap route and deal with the frustrations. As my good friend, john e use to say "If ya wants ta ride heavy, you gosta pay!"!