A true Taxidermy cost comparison RSA vs USA

[btheis13]

All of these discussions of "you'll save money" vs "taxidermy in US is better" led to me do my own cost comparison. These are actually quotes received.

There are going to be two hunters on my upcoming trip so I'll just call them Hunter #1 and Hunter #2.

Hunter #1:
4 animals - Kudu, impala and blesbuck (wall pedestals) and zebra wall art.
Taxidermy cost in the U.S. $7395 + Dip & Pack cost $729 + crating & fees $805 + freight $855 = $9,784
vs.
Taxidermy cost in RSA $5956 + crating & fees $1127 + freight $3844 = $10,927

Hunter #2:
6 animals - Kudu, impala, blesbuck, gemsbuk (wall pedestals), zebra flat skin only and nyala full body mount
Taxidermy cost in the U.S. $9844 + Dip & Pack cost $1108 + crating & fees $805 + freight $1444 = $13,201
Taxidermy cost in RSA $8790 + crating & fees $2049 + freight $5683 = $16,522

Please know that I did find more expensive and less expensive taxidermists on both sides, but used what I thought was most comparable in quality. I'm leaving taxidermists and shippers names out of this conversation.
As you can see, we will be opting for dip & pack with taxidermy done locally! I recommend you do your own research before you travel so you can make the most informed decision possible.

 

[Frederik]

Thanks for the info can you edit to totle to say "Taxidermy Cost Comparison USA vs SA"
I read it as hunting cost USA VS SA and obviously got interested.

 

[Hunt anything]

Great information, the only thing I would add is the extended time to get taxidermy done here in the states. Looking at around 10-15 months to get trophies from RSA and I’ve seen up to 2 years delivery time once the dip&pack are received here in the states.

 

[btheis13]

Great information, the only thing I would add is the extended time to get taxidermy done here in the states. Looking at around 10-15 months to get trophies from RSA and I’ve seen up to 2 years delivery time once the dip&pack are received here in the states.

Yes, time and quality are also factors for some people.

 

[Pilgrim]

Interesting. When I did the math I was saving $2-3000ish by having it done in SA, not to mention a much faster turnaround time. Whatever SA taxidermist you are quoting might have rates higher than my local guy. The reputable SA taxidermist I'm familiar with probably would have charged closer to $3000 for Hunter #1's animals.

 

[Rare Breed]

All of these discussions of "you'll save money" vs "taxidermy in US is better" led to me do my own cost comparison. These are actually quotes received.

There are going to be two hunters on my upcoming trip so I'll just call them Hunter #1 and Hunter #2.

Hunter #1:
4 animals - Kudu, impala and blesbuck (wall pedestals) and zebra wall art.
Taxidermy cost in the U.S. $7395 + Dip & Pack cost $729 + crating & fees $805 + freight $855 = $9,784
vs.
Taxidermy cost in RSA $5956 + crating & fees $1127 + freight $3844 = $10,927

Hunter #2:
6 animals - Kudu, impala, blesbuck, gemsbuk (wall pedestals), zebra flat skin only and nyala full body mount
Taxidermy cost in the U.S. $9844 + Dip & Pack cost $1108 + crating & fees $805 + freight $1444 = $13,201
Taxidermy cost in RSA $8790 + crating & fees $2049 + freight $5683 = $16,522

Please know that I did find more expensive and less expensive taxidermists on both sides, but used what I thought was most comparable in quality. I'm leaving taxidermists and shippers names out of this conversation.
As you can see, we will be opting for dip & pack with taxidermy done locally! I recommend you do your own research before you travel so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Great job on your post…well done. Just to me the one thing you left out was time. My experience has been if US does work by the time you hang on your wall 12 months longer. That bothers me greatly but if time is not a factor then no problem

 

[JimP]

When I decided to have my last set of trophies done in SA I figured that it would be close to the same cost as having them done here in the US and that included the extra shipping cost for 3 mounts and 5 euros. It ended up being around $1000 cheaper having them done in SA by a quality taxidermist that does just as good of work as my Colorado one does.

The big thing for me was time. My Colorado taxidermist is 15+ months out once he gets the d&p which should of arrived around November 22 from a June 22 hunt. So 15 months from 11/22 will put us at February 24 if all went well.

I had all my trophies on my wall in August 23, they were done in December 22 but as most know in South Africa that is when the waiting begins.

 

[Hunt anything]

Yes, time and quality are also factors for some people.

To me quality should be #1, I try to go with the best quality taxidermist I can afford.

 

[Mnovak]

All of these discussions of "you'll save money" vs "taxidermy in US is better" led to me do my own cost comparison. These are actually quotes received.

There are going to be two hunters on my upcoming trip so I'll just call them Hunter #1 and Hunter #2.

Hunter #1:
4 animals - Kudu, impala and blesbuck (wall pedestals) and zebra wall art.
Taxidermy cost in the U.S. $7395 + Dip & Pack cost $729 + crating & fees $805 + freight $855 = $9,784
vs.
Taxidermy cost in RSA $5956 + crating & fees $1127 + freight $3844 = $10,927

Hunter #2:
6 animals - Kudu, impala, blesbuck, gemsbuk (wall pedestals), zebra flat skin only and nyala full body mount
Taxidermy cost in the U.S. $9844 + Dip & Pack cost $1108 + crating & fees $805 + freight $1444 = $13,201
Taxidermy cost in RSA $8790 + crating & fees $2049 + freight $5683 = $16,522

Please know that I did find more expensive and less expensive taxidermists on both sides, but used what I thought was most comparable in quality. I'm leaving taxidermists and shippers names out of this conversation.
As you can see, we will be opting for dip & pack with taxidermy done locally! I recommend you do your own research before you travel so you can make the most informed decision possible.

There have been many discussions on here about this topic. Taxidermy is an art and everyone’s expectations are different but for the most part quality taxidermy is the ultimate goal. I’ve been to Africa twice and I did the same research prior to my first trip. I elected to have my plains game taxidermy completed in Africa. I found it to be more cost effective and a faster turnaround to have completed in Africa. Another consideration is not all state side taxidermists have had much experience with African game, that went into my consideration as well. I’m not sure who you had quote your taxidermy in Africa, but it seems more expensive than I experienced. I ended up saving several thousands of dollars having the taxidermy completed in Africa and shipped to my door. Don’t forget about import agent costs in your planning, not sure if that was considered in your fee’s you listed.

I did ship my leopard back state side to Kenati taxidermy studio. Cats are unique not all taxidermists are capable of mounting a quality cat in my opinion.

 

[btheis13]

Interesting. When I did the math I was saving $2-3000ish by having it done in SA, not to mention a much faster turnaround time. Whatever SA taxidermist you are quoting might have rates higher than my local guy. The reputable SA taxidermist I'm familiar with probably would have charged closer to $3000 for Hunter #1's animals.

I'd be interested to hear who your taxidermist is in SA. This wall art with frame is pricey....about 3k by itself.

 

[btheis13]

To me quality should be #1, I try to go with the best quality taxidermist I can afford.

I'm with you, but I also have a budget.

I've quoted 3 local taxidermists on these animals. Just the nyala alone was 3800, 4200 and 7200. While the 7200 might be exceptional, it's out of my budget.

 

[btheis13]

There have been many discussions on here about this topic. Taxidermy is an art and everyone’s expectations are different but for the most part quality taxidermy is the ultimate goal. I’ve been to Africa twice and I did the same research prior to my first trip. I elected to have my plains game taxidermy completed in Africa. I found it to be more cost effective and a faster turnaround to have completed in Africa. Another consideration is not all state side taxidermists have had much experience with African game, that went into my consideration as well. I’m not sure who you had quote your taxidermy in Africa, but it seems more expensive than I experienced. I ended up saving several thousands of dollars having the taxidermy completed in Africa and shipped to my door. Don’t forget about import agent costs in your planning, not sure if that was considered in your fee’s you listed.

I did ship my leopard back state side to Kenati taxidermy studio. Cats are unique not all taxidermists are capable of mounting a quality cat in my opinion.

I love Kenati's work. Their gallery is incredible. I wish they were a little closer to home for me.

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

I don’t have much information on US taxidermy pricing but the SA taxidermy pricing is 10-20% more than we’ve came across, and we work with one of the best in the world. I also haven’t seen such a big difference expressed in shipping completed mounts vs shipping dip and pack before.

I’ve run this same test numerous times with clients in Australia, US and Canada using their local taxidermists pricing and the outcome is always 3-15% saving in having it done in SA.

You may want to get a few more quotes in SA and run the comparison again.