I have a question for those of you who have hunted South Africa in the past 2 years:

How long did it take you to receive your trophies- From the time you left RSA until the time your crates arrived in the U.S?

I realize that there are variables (cities permits), but I am very interested in hearing if you have had any problems.

I have been told that there are problems with permits. However, I would really appreciate feedback from AR members. Thanks!

Recalling the past several years, it's taken from 6-7 months.Prior experience was on the order of 5-6 months.
The added increment of time is due to government delays in SA.

I hunted South Africa during the first week of June of this year. During the hunt, I took 5 plains game animals, all common game, with no CITES animals. My crate has already arrived in the US, and I am awaiting clearance from customs.

Anywhere from 3-6 months for dip and pack of raw trophies and 10 - 12 months if you get tanning or mounts done there.

Been 16 months and I'm still waiting on mine. All good as the owner has kept me informed and even sent photos. Hopefully they will arrive soon!!!

Last 3 years from RSA, 6-9 months entire process from leaving RSA to trophies arriving in the States. Now.....Mozambique....that's a completely different story

Mine from 2013 took about 18 months, mainly due to issues with middlemen.

Left South Africa on June 9th of this year. Our crate will be here today !
It has honey badger,monkey, warthog and 8 other plains game. No wildebeest or hartebeest. They take longer for drying time of skull to export.

I reckon the easiest thing you can do is just leave them and bring home photos.

2nd would be taking home only the cleaned skulls.

The wife hates taxidermy, and we don't have room for much. My next trip will be a skulls alone.

Depends on the taxidermist longest I've had was 16 months, shortest 4 months.

Three months to two years.
It's a crap shoot.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
I reckon the easiest thing you can do is just leave them and bring home photos.

2nd would be taking home only the cleaned skulls.

The wife hates taxidermy, and we don't have room for much. My next trip will be a skulls alone.

Great advice! If I was ever to hunt Africa again (I most likely won't), this is what I would do!

I do appreciate all the responses!

Jason,
Here's an update for you. My shipment cleared custom's, and arrived at the taxidermist today. I left South Africa on June 8th, so I count myself lucky to have such quick turn-around time. I was fortunate to have a taxidermist who sent me all of the required tags, and coached me on what to do, as well as having had a good outfit do my dipping and packing. I think that it also helped that I kept in touch with the dipping and packing operation, as well as the exporters and importers. This was the adventure of a lifetime for me, and I left nothing to chance. Waiting for your shipment to arrive from overseas is stressful and nervewracking, I hope it all goes well for you.

Hunted SA in 3 and 14.
Don't remember exactly how long it took, but was about 4-5 months.

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
Hunted SA in 3 and 14.
Don't remember exactly how long it took, but was about 4-5 months.

Should say 13 and 14

In 2000 or so I shot a truckload of stuff in SA. The taxidermist took a year to get the stuff ready. As it was about to ship, the studio burned and I lost all of them.

I shot a buffalo and hippo with simon Rodger in Mozambique in 2o12 and have never seen the trophies. At some point after my hunt there was an issue with importing/exporting hippo. I assume my other stuff was stopped also. Another alternative is that the stuff never left the camp and simon just ignored my many requests to assist depite taking my money for a lion hunt that never materialized. Not meant to be a complaint against him because I am over that it issue but an example of the many obstacles between you and your trophies.

One thing to add...I have found that including a monkey in your shipment doubles your time once it gets to the states. There must be an additional protocol at fish and game for this species.

You never know how long....

My trophy shipment from Zim (AUG 2014) arrived in Houston some months back and Delta had lost my shipping documents. This took place a few days before Delta banned shipping cats ect. I believe there were four other hunters, with trophies from Zim, that were in the same boat on that Delta flight.
Cindi R. and Lynette L. with WELL Worldwide Energy Logistics, Inc. worked very
hard to get this issue resolved. Houston FWS
has announced they will release our shipments as soon as they receive our original CITES. Overnighted it yesterday.

I have had problems with permits, In March of 2013, I shot a Sable, Nyala, Zebra, and both young boys shot their first Impalas. Still don't have them and they have not shipped. I know it is crazy, but it my sons impalas that I want the most