Crushed Crate

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

Good afternoon all,

Welp, my crate made it to the U.S.A but not unscathed. As you can see some dingus tried to use it as table and crushed in part of the top. Among the casualties (a couple of horns, I think Impala but I don't have the shipment yet to make sure) my prized trophy, an Eland bull, took the brunt of the damage. I was wondering if anyone around here thinks they might be able to salvage this? I've already talked to one taxidermist in my area, he said it was a total loss and I just couldn't accept that without at least trying on here. So if you think something could be done, please let me know. I appreciate your time. Just really, really bummed out.

 

[HuntingGold]

Tragic... I would ask your local taxidermist to look for a replacement cape and have it remounted. Otherwise strip out the horns and make a horn mount out of them.

OR.... the best idea yet. Book another hunt and go find another one!

 

[AZDAVE]

You might send a PM to Gizmo and or Artistry of wildlife, they would be the best qualified to answer your question.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

First question I'd ask is did you purchase insurance for this shipment? If so, get as many more pics as you think are necessary and start getting the details on how/when/where this happened.

When you get your shipment home, then find a good African animal taxidermist and consult with them what the next best move would be. Sorry this happened to you.

 

[cagkt3]

That sucks man, hate to see it.

 

[Bullthrower338]

That blows! Sorry. It feels better when it is just skulls that are crushed, I would be wild if it were mounted work

 

[Ragman]

Oh man, that is horrible! Any issues I've had can't compare to that. Very sorry.

 

[buckmarkhunter]

I see you live in New Mexico, I lived there for 7 years. The better taxi in that state is imperial out of Santa Fe. Give them a call. Or Artistry of wildlife has done some amazing fixes. Sorry man, best of luck.

 

[Red Leg]

A quality taxidermist can get you another cape for that eland - no it won't be the exact one, but it will be close and the horns are certainly salvageable. The better the taxidermist, the more likely he'll find you good match for that cape. Were it my issue, I would immediately contact Artistry in Wildlife.

 

[CAustin]

Sorry this happened to your shipment! As mentioned ask Dennis and Gizmo it it can be fixed,

 

[Ridgewalker]

Ugh! What a pain! Best of luck trying to get them repaired!

 

[meigsbucks]

That sucks! A salted eland cape will run between $300-$400 (I was just looking at that the other day.) Hopefully they’ll be able to fix your horns.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

First question I'd ask is did you purchase insurance for this shipment? If so, get as many more pics as you think are necessary and start getting the details on how/when/where this happened.

When you get your shipment home, then find a good African animal taxidermist and consult with them what the next best move would be. Sorry this happened to you.

Yes, it was insured. I almost didn't bother because of the added cost, now we will see if it will actually pay out or not. Since I don't have the crate in my possession yet (it's currently with Coppersmith in their warehouse) I can't get many more pics, but when I get it I definitely will.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

I'm just very frustrated right now, so sorry if it takes time to respond. I'm just hoping it can be fixed v.s. replaced as the hair on top was, at least to me, amazing. I'd hate to have something on there that I knew wasn't mine, though if that's what it takes then it's just what it is.

 

[Newboomer]

Ouch!! That hurts just to look at it. Hopefully you can salvage some or most of it. That is a tragedy and why I dip and pack. I don't trust those baggage gorillas with my hard earned trophies.

 

[BWH]

@gizmo is in Amarillo.... not far from you. He’s a magician with taxidermy & he has a lot of connections with replacement capes. Look into. Sorry for your situation

 

[cls]

Man that sucks, hope you can get that fixed up

 

[Red Leg]

A quality taxidermist can get you another cape for that eland - no it won't be the exact one, but it will be close and the horns are certainly salvageable. The better the taxidermist, the more likely he'll find you good match for that cape. Were it my issue, I would immediately contact Artistry in Wildlife.

I should add, that Gizmo could work it as well, and might have a bit less backlog.

 

[Jeff 907]

That blows. Hopefully someone can help you out.

 

[Bhfs300]

Good afternoon all,

Welp, my crate made it to the U.S.A but not unscathed. As you can see some dingus tried to use it as table and crushed in part of the top. Among the casualties (a couple of horns, I think Impala but I don't have the shipment yet to make sure) my prized trophy, an Eland bull, took the brunt of the damage. I was wondering if anyone around here thinks they might be able to salvage this? I've already talked to one taxidermist in my area, he said it was a total loss and I just couldn't accept that without at least trying on here. So if you think something could be done, please let me know. I appreciate your time. Just really, really bummed out.

Wow you need to post this again with the photos posted at full image size.
It is kind of hard to see the photo’s.