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Getting one flat skin home
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I just got an e-mail from the taxidermist. Last year I shot a Hartmann's zebra but it slid thirty yards down the mountain after I shot it. The taxidermist said that we would tan it and see how it came out. It looks pretty decent and the price for the work is reasonable ($350) but I think I am going to find out that it is going to cost me an arm and a leg to get it home. Being a CITES animal isn't going to help either.

I will be back in Namibia next year and my outfitter will be at SCI next year as well. Is there anything preventing me from putting the skin in my luggage when I come home or having the outfitter bring it to SCI for me?

Any thoughts?
 
Posts: 481 | Location: Denver, CO | Registered: 20 June 2008Reply With Quote
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I've combined animals from multiple hunts a couple of times, but always from the same country. Don't know if that really makes a difference, just my experience to date. So far, it has not been an issue.

If you are hunting Namibia again soon, I would ship it together with your new trophies.
 
Posts: 8525 | Registered: 09 January 2011Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
I've combined animals from multiple hunts a couple of times, but always from the same country. Don't know if that really makes a difference, just my experience to date. So far, it has not been an issue.

If you are hunting Namibia again soon, I would ship it together with your new trophies.


Won't there be a problem with the CITES permit expiring? My dad tried to get a Bontebuck from a 2001 hunt back with the shipment from 2008, but the permit was no longer good. However, he was able to get a Red Lechwe back. I didn't know the Hartmann's was CITES, so take my comments for what they are...


I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills.

Marcus Cady

DRSS
 
Posts: 3458 | Location: Dallas | Registered: 19 March 2008Reply With Quote
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What Todd said.
 
Posts: 115 | Location: Sparta (where else?) | Registered: 05 February 2012Reply With Quote
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If I remember right...you don't need a US import permit for the mountain zebra, you do need a Namibian export permit and that is easily acquired.

Then your PH can carry it over for you.

If he wants to. Big Grin
 
Posts: 555 | Location: Mostly USA | Registered: 25 March 2011Reply With Quote
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Cities permits can be renewed if expired with minimal effort.
 
Posts: 8525 | Registered: 09 January 2011Reply With Quote
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Thanks for the replies guys. I am not bringing anything else back besides the zebra skin so either I have it shipped to me, go back next year and pick it up or have my PH bring it to the show.

Jon
 
Posts: 481 | Location: Denver, CO | Registered: 20 June 2008Reply With Quote
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As long as the paperwork is in order there is no reason that you couldn't carry it in your checked baggage.

I have done this twice when traveling home from Namibia. Both times I had no problems.

Just make sure that you declare it when you arrive here in the US so that F&W can check your paperwork.


Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown
 
Posts: 6838 | Location: Nome, Alaska(formerly SW Wyoming) | Registered: 22 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Make sure that the airport that you are flying into when you arrive here in the US is designated as a wildlife importation port.


Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown
 
Posts: 6838 | Location: Nome, Alaska(formerly SW Wyoming) | Registered: 22 December 2003Reply With Quote
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How many days do you want to spend at the airport?


-------------------------------
Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne.

NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R.
_________________________

"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.

red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________

Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.
 
Posts: 19374 | Location: Ocala Flats | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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Do what Todd suggested, include it in your next shipment, and if you are in the US there is no import CITES permit required.


Jerry Huffaker
State, National and World Champion Taxidermist



 
Posts: 2017 | Registered: 27 February 2002Reply With Quote
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Jon,

If you don't plan to hunt Namibia again, just bring it back with you as long as you have the export permit. You can get the necessary USFWS documents off their website. Be sure to declare it and make sure your entry port is set up to clear it upon your arrival. It's really easy.

I've brought back two Brown Bears from Russia on two separate hunts by including them in my checked baggage, also a CITES animal. The first time, it was cleared in Anchorage. On the second trip, Chicago. No problems either time. Took maybe 5 minutes each.

Not really sure what Will's point is.
 
Posts: 8525 | Registered: 09 January 2011Reply With Quote
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Took maybe 5 minutes each.


Todd,

As I recall my shipments took days to get checked off by USF&W. I figured it would take forever at the airport. You have apparently had no problems whatsoever.

Good deal.


-------------------------------
Will Stewart / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne.

NRA Benefactor Member, GOA, N.A.G.R.
_________________________

"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.

red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________

Hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.
 
Posts: 19374 | Location: Ocala Flats | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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If the hide is tanned and the US doesn't require an import permit why is the USFWS involved at all? On my first hunt I brought home a couple of flat skins of common animals. I had a piece of paper from the shop saying I bought them there but I put them in my luggage and nobody said anything to me. I'm just wondering.
 
Posts: 481 | Location: Denver, CO | Registered: 20 June 2008Reply With Quote
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That Zebra is a CITES export animal. No CITES Import permit required.

I shiped a Giraffe hide only back to the USA after making a flat skin. The cost was very reasonable. It was wrapped in heavy black plastic, taped up and easy to drag across the warehouse floor. No crate.

At that time I cleared it myself, but today, I am not sure you would want to try it, (Unless you know exactly what you are getting into) so you would be best to combine it with another safari.

"Go hunting again" is my final answer.
 
Posts: 6270 | Location: Dallas, TX | Registered: 13 July 2001Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Will:
How many days do you want to spend at the airport?


When I brought my trophies back from Namibia as checked baggage(in 01 and 02) the total process was only about half an hour.

Basically, you get your bags off the luggage carousel and head to customs. Customs then calls the F&W people. After 10 or 15 minutes the USF&W agent shows up and begins to check your trophies. After 20 minutes the agent signs off on your paperwork and you are on your way.

I came into Atlanta. All of the customs people were friendly and the USF&W people very great.


Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown
 
Posts: 6838 | Location: Nome, Alaska(formerly SW Wyoming) | Registered: 22 December 2003Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by JBrown:
quote:
Originally posted by Will:
How many days do you want to spend at the airport?


When I brought my trophies back from Namibia as checked baggage(in 01 and 02) the total process was only about half an hour.

Basically, you get your bags off the luggage carousel and head to customs. Customs then calls the F&W people. After 10 or 15 minutes the USF&W agent shows up and begins to check your trophies. After 20 minutes the agent signs off on your paperwork and you are on your way.

I came into Atlanta. All of the customs people were friendly and the USF&W people very great.


This pretty much mirrors my experience except that the USFWS folks were already there due to several hunters being on the same plane, all carrying Brown Bears as checked baggage. Actually carried the skulls both times in my carry on!

It's an easy process.
 
Posts: 8525 | Registered: 09 January 2011Reply With Quote
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I got a couple of quotes to get that skin home. They ranged from about $500 to $1000 to ship and clear it.

My question again is that if I can buy a skin off of ebay from South Africa and have it sent directly to my home why do I need to bother with this crap? What prevents the taxidermist from doing the same thing as the people on Ebay? Why cant a processed skin be put in a box and sent to me? I am really trying to understand this.
 
Posts: 481 | Location: Denver, CO | Registered: 20 June 2008Reply With Quote
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The difference is CITES. You can bring home a sport hunted trophy of a Hartmanns with a CITES export permit but you can not BUY one and bring it home. At least that is my understanding. Burchells Zebra, no problem but not a Hartmanns. In fact I know someone who bought one in RSA from a curio store and tried to bring it home. Seller of course says "oh no problem" They had export paperwork showing that it was legally exported from Namibia to RSA....but no CITES export permit from Namibia to US...and not a sport hunted trophy...result....confiscated at airport by USFWS...and could have been worse.

Have it sent with your next batch of trophies would be my recommendation or carry it with you when you go back, just make sure you have a current CITES export permit from Namibia.


SAFARI ARTS TAXIDERMY
http://www.safariarts.net/
 
Posts: 1378 | Location: Virginia, USA | Registered: 05 March 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by rxgremlin:
I got a couple of quotes to get that skin home. They ranged from about $500 to $1000 to ship and clear it.

My question again is that if I can buy a skin off of ebay from South Africa and have it sent directly to my home why do I need to bother with this crap? What prevents the taxidermist from doing the same thing as the people on Ebay? Why cant a processed skin be put in a box and sent to me? I am really trying to understand this.


If you can get it shipped AND cleared for $500, that does not seem all that bad. Clearing alone from Coppersmiths generally costs me about $400 regardless of the number of animals I have shipped back.


"...Africa. I love it, and there is no reason for me to explore why. She affects some people that way, and those who feel as I do need no explanation." from The Last Safari
 
Posts: 839 | Location: Greensboro, Georgia USA | Registered: 17 July 2004Reply With Quote
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Shipping the cheap way is $150 (can live with that) but the clearing is $350-$400. I live in Denver which is an exception to port but I still have to pay the same amount in clearing whether it is one skin or 20 skins. That doesn't make me happy. It doesn't make sense that the shipping and clearing is going to cost me 3 times what the tanning costs.

I know that Hartmann's is CITES but if there is no US import form it seems that it should be an easy process.

I have never and will never bring anything back (with the exception of this skin if I can work it out) because frankly trophies aren't important to me and I hate the getting bent over part. I have mentioned before that the friend who I went with got his stuff mounted and isn't going back because he blew too much money. I didn't and am going for the third time. Just my opinion but memories are out in the field not on the wall.

Sorry just on a rant.
 
Posts: 481 | Location: Denver, CO | Registered: 20 June 2008Reply With Quote
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Originally posted by rxgremlin:
Shipping the cheap way is $150 (can live with that) but the clearing is $350-$400. I live in Denver which is an exception to port but I still have to pay the same amount in clearing whether it is one skin or 20 skins. That doesn't make me happy. It doesn't make sense that the shipping and clearing is going to cost me 3 times what the tanning costs...


I hear what you are saying but after receiving 4 shipments (and a 5th on the way with just one trophy) of varying sizes and reviewing all the paperwork, my hunch is that it really doesn't take the clearing agent any more time to clear a shipment with 10 trophies in the box versus 1. The exception might be swine, primates, etc.

I've never tried it myself but you may want to consider clearing the flat skin yourself. Do a quick search here and you will come up with a handfull of threads where several members have described the process they went through in clearing their own trophies.

Good luck.

George


"...Africa. I love it, and there is no reason for me to explore why. She affects some people that way, and those who feel as I do need no explanation." from The Last Safari
 
Posts: 839 | Location: Greensboro, Georgia USA | Registered: 17 July 2004Reply With Quote
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