Has anyone had their capes tanned in RSA, and then shipped back here for mounting? If so, who did the work?

No, but I always have my leather made in RSA, as they don't have OSHA to deal with and they just do a 100 times better job on Buffalo and Ostrich for instance..Also I have skull mounts done there as they charge little or nothing for that service and it makes no difference in the cost of shipping..

My guess is they would do a fine job of tanning for mounting and it would be cheaper and since a tanned skin weighs less than a wet or dryed skin, it would save a tad of money...then if the US taxidermist would allow that discount and not gouge you, it just might be a real deal. Also I think you might get around that gouge from the USWS for inspection etc, and that would save you about $50.00....

Ray,
Are you saying that "dry trophies", ie, hides already backed and leather trimmed and skull mounts are treated differently when coming through customs? Thanks, Bob

You might want to check with your taxidermist before hand as some will not work on Africian tanned hides. It is the OSHA thing ie the tanning process and the chemicals used in the process.

VFR,
Yes that is correct, tanned skins come under a different import process...the tanning process removes the bacteria problem that dipped and shipped skin has...

You can buy tanned Impala etc. at the airports in So. Africa and bring them home in a carry on bag for instance.

Russ,
I've used Life-Form Taxidermy in White River, RSA twice and have been extremely pleased with their work. I've toured their facilities and have seen few taxidermy studios in the US that were as professionally set up and run. Zac and the gang are top-notch in my opinion.

bwanamrm--Did you have them just do the tanning of the capes, or the actual mounting? This idea of having the capes tanned there is appealling to me, provided, of course it is a good job and I get my capes.