Okay here's the question; having booked myself a hunt in New Zealand for 2011, whats the feeedback from folks here on where I should have the finished taxidermy work (shoulder mounts and full mounts) of any trophies/animals I succefully get while hunting in New Zealnd completed? As always I'm sure there will be a variety of answers on this, and I've just started researching info on do it there or do a basic dip and pack like when in Africa and have finished work done here in the states by someone. If anyone has any links especially to NZ taxidermists that INCLUDE prices on their websites, let me know. PLus any US taxidermists that have any experience in doing NZ animals, and THEIR prices, go ahead and chime in. Animals on the list are Tahr (thinking like a wall pedestal type mount to show of that gorgeous hair) and a wild goat, and maybe some of the small varmits (possum, wallaby) as a full mount. If anyone has any pics of stuff for future ideas that would be cool too.
Let the opinions flow forth!!

I have seen several recent mounts from N.Z. taxidermists and I have never seen a bad one. BUT if you have a stateside taxidermist that you know and trust I would use him or her or make an effort to find one with experience in handling these kinds of orders. Overall all added up the costs will be simular if you use a quailty studio over here. A few hundred this way or that should not be your major concern. Being able to make a stateside phone call or visit the shop and taxidermist you know and trust will do you a great job at a fair price should be high on your check list.

I couldn't agree more with James. I would want my trophies to where I could check on them if I feel the need.
The trophies i have taken in from NZ. were prepped and salt dried by a taxidermist in NZ. And all I have gotten have been taken well care unlike some of the African stuf. But it all depends on whos doing it.

I had a taxidermist do the export paperwork for a few trophies of mine. I brought them back on the plane with me as I was in NZ for 6 months and had plenty of time. That said, I saw his work and it was very good. Seems some US taxidermists aren't that good at mounting tahr, the NZ guys have more practice and because of this, probably better at mounting the NZ animals than your average US taxidermist. That said I don't think you could go wrong with many of the taxidermists on this site.

Here is the guy I used:
Tyron Southward Taxidermy Ltd
tahrmaster@xtra.co.nz

Just keep in mind if you do get it mounted over there it will be more expensive to ship over here. That said the prices there were certainly cheaper when you factor in a very favorable exchange rate.

If you do hunt and mount a tahr- do a full mount!

While he's going to be a little out of your way, The guy I use here in NZ is Richard Lee, and his specialist freezedry Taxidermy studio.
Heres some of his work
Bull Tahr freeze dried


Conventional mount Chamois

These two are some of his early freezedry mounts, both have been on my wall for around 10 years.
Advantages for me are, instead of waiting a year for a finished mount, the heads are wall ready in a month, and I like the fact that as the head isn't skinned, you get a lot bigger percentage of your original trophy back.
In essence though, most well known taxidermists in NZ do a professional job, and I would expect a good service on pack and dip from all.

I guess mostley it depends on where you will be hunting - North or South Island.

If you are after alpine trophies then it will be South. There are some very good taxidermists in the South Island , speciallising in tahr and Chamois. O'Rourkes at Pleasant Point in Canterbury have a good reputation , Terry Jacobs in Christchurch is another reputable one.

Some more detail as to your plans would narrow down the range a little .

quote:

Originally posted by muzza:
There are some very good taxidermists in the South Island , speciallising in tahr and Chamois. O'Rourkes at Pleasant Point in Canterbury have a good reputation

O'Rourkes did all the prep work for shipping back to the U.S. on my stuff, and I had Maria at Hunter International do the export/import paperwork and shipping here. She did a bang-up job at a very reasonable cost.

The only complaint I had with O'Rourkes concerned my Arapawa ram, which was basically ruined. They over-boiled the skull AND horns to the point they shrunk dramatically and literally turned black from the original light brown/tan.

To their credit, they refunded that cost after I sent an e-mail with comparison photos. But of course, that did nothing to restore the horns to the original condition, which is impossible.

I did visit the shop personally while I was there, so I saw quite a bit of the taxidermy work. It all looked fine to me.