I have always used Safari in Pietersburg for SA and Namibian trophies, and I have recommended that clients use the same. However, this season I got a shock when I received their new USD price list. OK, the dollar got weak last year. But they tell me it's going up again for next season and the dollar is much stronger now. They blame it on wood prices. Seems like a stretch to me.

Two questions: have other SA taxidermists done the same thing? and which SA taxidermists now provide the best value for money?

Let's use a kudu shoulder mount and a caracal full mount as reference points.

Safari: Kudu, $730; Caracal (Lynx) $660.

I am using Life Form Taxidermy for this year's trophies and their prices have gone up slightly on some animals and down on others. I have not seen a significant price increase. I think that the increases that you are experiencing relates to the GREED factor and the additional fact that the dollar has gotten stronger and so they have to raise their prices to keep getting paid at least what they are used to getting paid, because they are used to making that amount and have learned to rely on it. Any old excuse will do, it seems to me, for them to raise prices in spite of the strengthening of the dollar.

A strengthening Dollar against the ZARand should result in a DECREASE in prices if the Taxidermist is charging in US$. Our staff are paid in ZAR not US$ our chemicals are paid for in ZAR not US$. A strengthening in the Dollar means I can give my clients a better deal ie. bigger discount or not charge for some products such as ashtrays etc.
Shoulder mnt Kudu $650. Full mount Caracal $550.
Includes crating of the trophies.

I noticed the increase in RSA Taxidermy prices in the last year or so.

Seems like the repricing in US$ resulting from the weak US$ last year took away muchof the advantage of having them done over there. Even using the Ocean Cargo shipping whichis much cheaper.

My work is being done by Karoo Taxidermy in Graaf-Reinet. His 2006 price list shows: Kudu Shoulder mnt = $645, Caracal Full mount = $650

I'm going to start getting everything I do over there priced in Rand. Then I can better decide when to pay for something.

Les

When I can get quality work done in the states for 10 to 20 percent more, some times even, and somtimes even less than their rates by being a long time customer, I see no reason to do it there. I am not nocking their taxidermy but between the exchange rate and shipping there is absolutey no reason to have it done there anymore except for a certain few items. Trust me when I say I have priced it out every way possible. A combination of the excange rate, shipping fees, and the increases from the taxidermists themselves have priced them out of the market in my book. Hell even just dipping and packing is almost double what it was in 2000. Then the govt does things like not allowing combination of shipments so no more savings there either. Add it all up it just costs a lot more. I guess it proves it is another aspect ot the trip that needs to be priced out carefully ahead of time. As an example I pay $750 for a kudu shoulder mount here.

Russ

In a way I'm glad to see that - I was also shattered to seee the massive hike - I was there in April this year and got my increase email in June 15% !!!!!!! over last year which I queried and was told wood prices also

I think in future, having had good results (dip and pack only ) from zambia and tanzania, that i wont bother in future and will use UK taxidermists - I now have a few good contacts

David

I think the major reason for the price hikes is that many of the taxidermists in RSA have more work than they can handle so it's supply and demand. The Rand has dropped in value over the last few months so even it they had kept their original USD prices they would be making almost 10% or more in terms of Rand without a price hike. I just got back from RSA a few days ago. There is a "get as much as you can now" mentality setting in among the white population as many are pessimistic about the future.

The "Get As Much As You Can" Mentality has been ongoing for quite some time. I remember in 2003 getting a brochure from a PH that I had hunted with who announced that the prices for 2003 were being based upon the speculation that the Rand was going to reach 5 to 1 to the U.S. dollar. He also said in the brochure that the prices would be subject to further change if the Rand went better than 5 to 1. There was absolutely no mention in the brochure that if the Rand did not get to 5 to 1 or drop, that the prices would drop or possibly change if the USD went the other direction. Well, guess what, the Rand never reached 5 to 1, but the prices quoted NEVER DROPPED BUT CONTINUED TO REMAIN AT THE SPECULATED PRICE in spite of the fact that they never reached the "anticipated" prices. To make matters worse, he subesequently quoted me some separate prices, as a accomodation to me for referring a TON of business to him. However, I stopped doing buiness when he quoted me the "accomodating" price of $1200 USD for a Klipspringer and told me that that was a very good price. I have been jaded with Safari price structures ever since.

I use Inkawsi Taxidermist for all my own and clients work.
Kudu $ 420.00
Caracal full mount £430.00

That is for foreign and local clients, as she has one price for all.....

It is a pitty the perseption is there for "get as much as you can while you can"....it is not the norm...... There is a lot of pessimists in South Africa, but as rightly stated above.....what really happend to SA in the last 12 YEARS ? Are white people living in corrugated iron shacks and eating maize porridge to stay alive......?

White people are still thriving in business, and driving brand new 4x4's,and, and.....we should be thank full, not moaning and exploiting....

If they keep it up hunters will be saying I can stay at home for the same amount and not have that damn plane ride. Once Africa is no longer a bargin the traffic will slow. Like Mongolia 21 days $5750 + trophy fees. Gazelle $500 or Elk $2000, Boar $250.

I used Roy Hayes in SA, who listed reasonable rates:

http://www.huntsouthernafrica.com/hsahayesprices.htm