Frequently Asked Questions

Taxidermy

• Can you recommend a good taxidermist in the US?

  There are several good taxidermists in the US.  I have personally used and recommend The Wildlife Gallery in Blanchard, Michigan and Capp’s Taxidermy Studio in Anaconda, Montana.

• How much will it cost to ship my trophy animals back home?

  The cost of shipping your trophies home will depend both the measurements of the crate they are being shipped in and the weight.  Most taxidermy is shipped by air and it is difficult to estimate shipping costs without knowing the weight and dimensions of the crate and the destination.  Most taxidermy is shipped out of South Africa from Johannesburg. 

• Can you recommend a good taxidermist in South Africa?

  If you are in the Limpopo Province, I recommend Bullseye Taxidermy near Vaalwater.  They produce some quality mounts at reasonable prices and do an excellent job on dip and pack. 

• Should I have my taxidermy done in Africa or bring them home to be mounted?

  I recommend that you have your trophies dip and packed and then shipped to a qualified taxidermist in your home country. Taxidermy that is done in Africa typically runs 15-20% less than taxidermy that is mounted in the US, but usually is of lesser quality than a good experienced US based taxidermist can produce.  It is a classic case of you get what you pay for.  It is easier to save money on the hunt successfully than it is on taxidermy. Plus, if there is a problem with the quality, it is much easier to get it resolved if your taxidermist is nearby. 

• What is dip and pack?

  Dip and pack is the regulated process of killing all bacteria and pathogens to make the raw trophies safe to export internationally. It includes submerging the capes in a solution with a low ph and then rinsing and drying the capes.  Skulls and horns are boiled to sterilize them. It also includes the crating and preparation of the trophies for international shipping and certification by a licensed veterinarian that the trophies are free of pathogens and bacteria and are safe to be transported to other countries.