trophy transport...

31 March 2012, 10:44

Idaho Sharpshooter

trophy transport...

In 29 days I head back to Africa.

Assume:

I get my hyena on the first or second day. We run the hide, etc, over to Trophex for the taxidermy work. I have them boil the skull long enough to completely evacuate the brains, and integument.

Is there going to be an issue bringing it back with me when I leave?

Obviously, I would love to have it now, instead of next year this time.

thanks,

Rich

31 March 2012, 12:54

JBrown

I have done just what you describe when I hunted Namibia around the turn of the century(well, it was 2001...)

I had no problems here in the states. Fish and wildlife and customs checked my export permits and I was good to go.

Getting the export permits might be a problem. It really depends on the country/area and outfitter.

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

31 March 2012, 21:26

376 steyr

Make sure you have proper documentation for a hyena skull they may think it's something else. Last year at DFW customs a guy brought through a giraffe leg bone. They grilled him a bit and then let it go. They also had us take off our shoes since that was what we hunted in and cleaned them for us; great service. But they took so long looking through everything that I missed my flight home and had to get a later one.

01 April 2012, 02:44

fairgame

Rich,

Do not cut corners, nor assume hyena and good luck on this very worthy trophy.

Andrew

02 April 2012, 00:23

leopards valley safaris

Rich
I have had numerous European hunters wanting to do this and the logistics are crazy. The export permits the vet check and the treatment process is very tight for 10-14days.
An I believe USFW are being full of crap again, you dont want to loose that scull.
Any decentSouth African Dip and pack should have that on its way in 3-4 months MAX.
good luck on the Safari

02 April 2012, 22:20

butchloc

i don't believe that i would try it. all you'd need is one bureaucrat to screw things up

03 April 2012, 09:20

JBrown

quote:
Originally posted by butchloc:
i don't believe that i would try it. all you'd need is one bureaucrat to screw things up

That is, well, nonsense....

Carrying a trophy home as checked baggage(with the correct permits), is no different than having it shipped home(with the correct permits).

The USF&W agents that come to customs to check your trophies/paperwork are the same ones that would be checking your trophies if they were shipped in as cargo.

If your paperwork is not in order your stuff will not be allowed in regardless of how they are brought here to the US.

By carrying your trophies home you are not inviting any more bureaucrats into the mix than those that be there if the trophies were shipped in. When I carried my stuff home(twice) I asked the USF&W agents if they would prefer that the trophies had been shipped in. They said that it didn't make any difference as it was the same amount of work either.

In fact, on one trip through I was told that they liked having me there as they could ask me to clarify things that were unclear in the export paperwork.

03 April 2012, 09:33

Todd Williams

quote:
Originally posted by JBrown:
quote:
Originally posted by butchloc:
i don't believe that i would try it. all you'd need is one bureaucrat to screw things up

That is, well, nonsense....

Carrying a trophy home as checked baggage(with the correct permits), is no different than having it shipped home(with the correct permits).

The USF&W agents that come to customs to check your trophies/paperwork are the same ones that would be checking your trophies if they were shipped in as cargo.

If your paperwork is not in order your stuff will not be allowed in regardless of how they are brought here to the US.

By carrying your trophies home you are not inviting any more bureaucrats into the mix than those that be there if the trophies were shipped in. When I carried my stuff home(twice) I asked the USF&W agents if they would prefer that the trophies had been shipped in. They said that it didn't make any difference as it was the same amount of work either.

In fact, on one trip through I was told that they liked having me there as they could ask me to clarify things that were unclear in the export paperwork.

Agree with Jason here. I've brought items back with me as baggage twice from Russia. Bear skin and claws in checked baggage and bear skull in carry-on bag. USFWS looked over my paperwork and the trophies and sent me on my way in about 5 minutes both times. It's very easy if you have your paperwork sorted out correctly. Getting that paperwork sorted on a Hyena in such a short time might be the only problem here.