In corresponding with my taxidermist in SA I ran into a bit of confusion. Basically they gave me a quote for my warthog skull mounted on a shield, I just want it cleaned and bleached, no sheild. They came back with

"According to USDA regulations, all unprocessed SWINE products entering the USA, have to undergo additional treatment at an approvved USDA facility in the USA. This could result in a delay in you receiving the warthog items as well as additional charges. As your warthog skull/tusks will be bleached & cleaned, this is regarded as an unprocessed item and will have to undergo additional treatment. We will, therefore, pack the warthog items into a small separate box to your processed items, and export the two boxes as one consignment. Please could you confirm with us that the above would suit you."

How is screwing the skull to a shield processed vs. unprocessed?

I know a warthog shoulder or full mount is considered processed, but I'm not sure about what the taxidermist is telling you.

Call (don't e-mail) USFWS and/or USDA/APHIS to check.

George

This is why I'm having my Warthog shoulder mount done over there.

I do not understand the rules but what he is telling you is exactly what I have experienced. From what I found out, this is a USDA ruling.

My warthog skull had to go to a USDA approved taxidermy facility for special treatment" prior to be released to me as it was not processed. It can not go to just any taxidermist. I used Carolina Fur Dressing for the service.

My friends warthog was processed (mounted skull and tusk on a plaque in Namibia) and sent directly to him by his Namibian taxidermist.

Yeah, I ran into that, too, last trip. It doesn't seem to mean much. The piggies came in a different box from the other things. Wow! I suppose that perhaps my taxidermist (Tru-Life) might be a properly approved processing guy or something and he certainly did a nice job of mounting both skulls (male and female) on a plaque for me. I'm not sure what the USDA is getting at here.

I had to have USDA permits for both my warthog and baboons. They were easy to get, and you can apply for them up to a year in advance of clearing your trophies.

Jeff

Kevin,

I have been successful in bringing trophies back from Namibia on two occasions with only minor hassling from Fish & Wildlife and the USDA. I have a friend in Namiba now and he will be returning with his trophies and have updated my research. If you go to the following website, you can review the USDA Animal Product Manual so that you are up to date on their procedures.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/manuals/pdf_files/APM_Chapters.htm

In reviewing the Trophies Section the inspector is advised:

"When Trophy is taxidermy finished,it has been professionally prepared,stuffed,and mounted ready for exhibition. Such completely finishedtrophies are allowed unrestricted entry.

...
Also regulate the following as trophies:
Skulls or horns that have been lacquered or painted.

Consequently, I suggested my friend clear lacquer his skull and horns before returning.

Hope this information is helpful. This is a great forum and I read it every day, but don't post often so I am adding information on a few more subjects:

1. Left Hand Montana SS Long Actions:
Mine is finished and being barreled so they are slowly arriving.

2. GS Bullets-It takes forever, but I received both orders and I am happy with the product.

Thanks,

Todd

Our govenment can come up with some pretty strange reasoning. I use seal skin as an arrow rest on my recurve bows. I buy it from a Archery shop in Alaska that have local N.A. people sew a line of thread on one edge. The seal skin is now "PROCEESSED" N/A.s and legal for him to sell and me to own.

If you save a 2nd boil jog then maybe it's a good idea to have it sent on a shield. You won't wanmty the skull destroyed by a 2nd uneeded dip.

Thanks for the responses, I'll give USFW and USDA a call. It may just be worth it to have it shield mounted in such a way as I can easily remove the shield to avoid the hassles.

Kevin,

I had the same problem a couple of years ago. Unless you plan to keep the skull on a nice shield, have the taxidermist mount it on a cheap black plywood plank. It will cost you nothing extra and will count as "processed" to the US officials. Then, just remove it at your leisure.

Best,

JohnTheGreek

Kevin,


Because of the threat of swine flu and other swine diseases...A local taxidermist can be the USDA agent....If the WH is separated from the rest of the animals that crate can come to your door and the WH can go to the Taxidermist to be again fumigated or degermed...
This happened to me...

Mike

ToddJ, did you clear your own trophies? If so, please email me. I did not see an email for you in your profile. I have some hides and skulls coming in.
peter.

Peter:

Please find attached a summary of information I posted following my first trip to Namibia which outlines the process for clearing your trophies. During my second trip, I received more hassle from Fish&Wildlife as the inspector (a real bitch) was trying to tell the Dept of Agriculture employees what to do, but got everthing through including a warthog skull. Based on my most recent review of the USDA Animal Product Manual, it looks like they now want the horns and skull finished in addition to just being cleaned.
Hope this helpls.
Thanks,
Todd
********************************************************
I will give the step by step process I used with the hope it will be helpful.

1.I chose a country (Namibia) that was liberal with regard to the export of trophies.
2.The person who provided the hunt (Thomas at Astra Hunting Farm) specifically indicated that he would prepare the trophies for export and that I could take them home with me.
3.I determined that U.S. Fish & Wildlife had specific designated ports for the importation of wildlife. I believe these ports include Atlanta, New York, Dallas, Portland, and several others. The exact listing of designated ports can be secured from Fish & Wildlife.
4.I determined that Houston was not a designated port for the importation of wildlife.
5.Since Houston was not a designated port, I had to apply for a designated port exception.
6.I secured an application for the Designated Port Exception Permit off the Fish&Wildlife internet site and paid the $25 application permit fee and outlined the reasons why I needed the exception permit. I sent the application to:
Assistant Regional Director
Division Of Law Enforcement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 329
Albuquerque, NM 87103

7.The Designated Port Exception Permit was granted and Fish & Wildlife sent a packet of material including information as to species subject to the CITES Treaty.

8.I reviewed the information and noted that none of the species I was hunting required a CITES Permit.

9.I received a USFWS Form 3-177 and it is a simple form that I completed after I harvested my animals.

10.I reviewed Department of Agriculture regulations and determined that the USDA
required that the skulls and horns had to be completely tissue free, ie bare bone and that the capes had to be flint dried or flint cured ( I can�t remember the exact term). I spoke to USDA and received the impression that the capes had to be very dry and hard with no flesh on them. I also noted that special regulations were
applicable to swine and primates and this was not an issue for me.

11. After hunting, Thomas secured the proper Namibian Permits to export the trophies.
12.I packed the items in a duffle bag.
13.Since I was importing the trophies through a non-designated port, I was required to call Fish & Wildlife and notify them of my time of arrival in Houston. I called but the number was wrong so get the correct number before you leave.
14.When I arrived in Houston, Customs directed me to Fish&Wildlife and the agent was very professional and I had no problems. I did pay a $95 Inspection Fee. Additionally, I had no problems with USDA.