Might be a dumb question, but if you shot a warthog, on safari, and all you wanted were the tusks, can you fly them home in baggage at the conclusion of your hunt?

Mad Dog

Those would likley be seized by USFWS. All Swine and Primates must go through a Quarantine and inspections. Call USFWS for verification and get the persons name and call back number. I would ask for the rules and a copy or link to them if you are allowed. You are dealing with goverment. Already processed and decorated art with Warthog ivory may be allowed I believe.

I brought back two sets of tusks from RSA a few years ago. I was certain that they were classed as "contraban" but I knew they had been cleaned with bleach and were safe biologically. I had them in a passport holder around my neck (longest tusk was only 8" around the curve).I wasn't asked any questions about them (nor did I mention it) and even got passed by a drug sniffing dog.

The cops in Atlanta had a beagle sniffing luggage coming in from JoBerg, and the dog started howling at one suitcase. I would not like for him to howl at my suitcase.

I did it without incident. I carried them on our hand luggage.

Mad Dog,
I guess the answer is, yes it can be done, but if they are not processed (cleaned and treated) then what you are doing is illegl and if you are caught, your tusks will be confiscated and you possibly fined.

The US is trying to prevent incoming deseases from infecting our animals here in the states. So no unprocessed animal products or any meat products are allowed.

BigBullet

No! Not legally, warthog tusks must be treated before leaving Africa and before a client can take them in the USA. Don't get caught! USF&WS is always looking for someone to make an example of!


Masterrifleman quotes:
[" but I knew they had been cleaned with bleach and were safe biologically."]

How do you know that? Bleach does not kill all bacteria and disease, USDA does not approve the use of it for a disinfectant! Swine is one of the highest on the list for bacteria and disease!

To me it's not worth taking a chance bringing them in my bags, my shipping company does a good job packing them in the crate.

The beagles are sniffing for fruit and meat mainly, not really trained for drugs. They are GOOD too.

If the tusks are treated, polished and turned into, for example, a wine bottle opener, a carving or other item, just put it in your checked baggage and they won't bother you.

Raw stuff is another story and it must be delivered directly to a taxidermist with a swine permit.

Thanks guys! Don't worry, I'll just leave the piggy teeth right there in RSA, until they are taken care of.

Mad Dog

Maddog,

Also make sure they are separated from your whole shipment or all of it will have to go taxidermist and them back to you..

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by stagman:
The beagles are sniffing for fruit and meat mainly, not really trained for drugs. They are GOOD too.

In 2000 I had a very large piece of biltong so big I had to cut it in half to fit my carry on bag.In Atlanta the inspector and his beagle checked mt bags.The inspector asked if I had and meat,biltong or dried sausage.The dog did a figure eight around my bags and never lit on anything.When I got home and was unpacking my Aussy grabbed onto half the biltong minutes after I opened the bag.

As far as the wart hog tusk I've seen a guy get busted for a wooden carved ele with wart hog tusk in it.Anything you value could be a big risk.Its up to you!

Widowmaker416,

Please stick to the facts. It is not legal to import porcine parts without the proper protocols being followed.If you get caught, then face the music.

Don't try to make drama about pork, bacterias, disinfectants & disease. 4 issues that you are trying to lump together without many facts

Mike

Baboon, You must have come through customs on a day when the "drug dog" was working.

I would be very certain that the monetary fine that you would receive from the USFWS would definitely not make taking the chance worth it, and it might be a substantial offset to the safari costs that you have already paid. I had a friend that did not obtain a CITES permit for a dipped and shipped Bontebok skull, horns and hide. For some strange reason he thought that his PH was going to obtain it for him. He was fined $5,000 and he also was required to forfeit the Bontebok skin, skull and horns. Is it worth it? Not in my book it isn't.

Do a search for USFWS. Go to APHIS, Animal Product Manual, Trophies, chapter 3. That will give you the regulation you have to comply with.

quote:

Please stick to the facts. It is not legal to import porcine parts without the proper protocols being followed.If you get caught, then face the music.

Don't try to make drama about pork, bacterias, disinfectants & disease. 4 issues that you are trying to lump together without many facts

Hey Mike, your talking to the wrong person! I do this for a living, I'm a licenced Import/exporter with USF&WS, I'm Licenced by USDA as a agent and Approved Establishement to receive and clear foreign "restricted" shippments. I work with CDC on when permits are needed from them for skins and bone.

Please don't tell me to stick to the facts, I've been doing this for over 20 years.

And that's a fact!!!!!

Thank you!!!!

What I can't figure, is why anyone would knowingly break the law over warthog tusks. Kinda like ruining your name and "branded" a criminal for shoplifting a two dollar item. It simply is not worth it! Besides, there is a completely legal way to get them back from Africa.

Widowmaker,

I've had a couple of "gray areas" that maybe you can help clear up.

1. Elephant hair bracelets. Are they contraband or are they legal to bring back.

2. Carved hippo tusks. Cool to bring in or no?

3. What about small elephant ivory carvings?

Much Thanks!

Stagman,

1. No
2. No
3. No

They are all list under cites, you need a cites permit for them.

Widowmaker416,

I appreciate your impressive credentials. I also work daily with USDA inspection & regs. I may just be picking at nits here.
1. Chlorine bleach is indeed a USDA approved disinfectant. Chlorine bleach is not an insecticide.
2. Trichinae is the disease that regulatory agencies are fearful of, it is a parasitic condition killed/ controlled by time/temperature, not any topical spray that is used to control insects.

Still in all the bottom line is that there are regs to be followed and if some one chooses to try & skirt those regs they are subject to the consequences.

I certainly don't mean to start a flaming war with you as I may want to call on you to help handle trophy importation.That is a fact also!! LOL.

Mike

.

quote:

Still in all the bottom line is that there are regs to be followed and if some one chooses to try & skirt those regs they are subject to the consequences.

I certainly don't mean to start a flaming war with you as I may want to call on you to help handle trophy importation.That is a fact also!! LOL.

I agree with you 100%, there are regs that have to be followed all the way to dotting the i's. I make sure I do just that.

I don't want any war with you also, ended here!

Great amount of knowledge & know here on this topic.

My question is? Can Warthog tusks be immediately treated (what is the "apporpriate treatment?) and then hand-carried?

There are alot of queries in the Taxidermy section on Warthog tusks that have split due to up to a one-year transit time.

Thanks Widowmaker. It seems like customs lets the bracelets slide, as I see lots of returning hunters simply wearing them back in.

I did learn a warthog downfall the hard way. I live near Atlanta and had gotten used to picking up my crates from Coppersmiths and saving shipping to the taxidermist by delivering the needed skins to him.

When my warthog came back in a crate with 5 other critters, I learned that the entire crate had to be shipped to a licensed taxi to be treated. It cost an additional $300 to have it shipped. So don't plan on picking up that crate!