Is taxidermy better done in the country it came from?

[wildfowler.250]

Folks , help me settle this. LOTS of people say this. Is there any truth in it?

I’m inclined to get my skins home asap in case of any import issues 1-2 years down the line - usual turnaround for an African taxidermist is 2 years yes?

So, in theory..

Done in home country - manikin should be the same as in South Africa? I can have more dialogue with the taxidermist on form? Resolve any issues closer to home should they arise. And he should be able to do a decent animal between having hunted in Africa , done mounts in the past plus google images for reference.

So aside from being cheaper in South Africa, is mounting at home not the sensible option?

Or do folk genuinely believe they do a better job because they’re seeing them every day?

I’m also very welcome to hear recommendations if anyone in South Africa is deemed top? Splitting and Highveld look great but I suspect the photos are just of their best stuff.


Opinions much appreciated!

 

[jomw10]

There are good taxidermist in Africa and good taxidermist everywhere in the world.
You have to decide on the cost/benefit for you. Taxidermy work in South Africa, in my experience, is more of a production line. With a large staff that specialize in one aspect of it.
While, at least in the US, is typically a small shop with fewer employees that do everything.
If you find the right taxidermist home you are probably going to end up with a better product at a higher cost. But will you be able to tell the difference between a good African taxidermy studio and an local taxidermy?. Personally I went the finish taxidermy work. I visited their shop and the work looked good. But I am no expert on taxidermy/anatomy, so someone else may have a different opinion.

 

[WAB]

Totally agree, there are good and bad taxidermists in Africa and NA. A plus to African taxidermists is the wood they use. There is nothing quite like African teak to set off an African mount.

 

[HankBuck]

Folks , help me settle this. LOTS of people say this. Is there any truth in it?

I’m inclined to get my skins home asap in case of any import issues 1-2 years down the line - usual turnaround for an African taxidermist is 2 years yes?

So, in theory..

Done in home country - manikin should be the same as in South Africa? I can have more dialogue with the taxidermist on form? Resolve any issues closer to home should they arise. And he should be able to do a decent animal between having hunted in Africa , done mounts in the past plus google images for reference.

So aside from being cheaper in South Africa, is mounting at home not the sensible option?

Or do folk genuinely believe they do a better job because they’re seeing them every day?

I’m also very welcome to hear recommendations if anyone in South Africa is deemed top? Splitting and Highveld look great but I suspect the photos are just of their best stuff.


Opinions much appreciated!

@wildfowler.250 - I’ve always preferred to have my mounts done by a Taxidermist I know and has done previous work for ME. I realize there are good taxidermists in SA but none are any better than the best Taxidermists in the U.S. and I would only send my Africa taxidermy to one of the best US taxidermists and would want to see examples of his “Africa” taxidermy first. I’ve never had a bad mount from Kanati in PA or my NJ taxidermist even though they aren’t the cheapest. I made the mistake of having two out of State deer & elk done by a local taxidermist “recommended” by the Outfitter (once in Kansas and once in New Mexico). The NM elk mount had an antler fall off as I mounted it on the wall, when I called the taxidermist and notified him he said “Not my fault, ship it back if you want it repaired but YOU pay for shipping both ways”. My local taxidermist fixed it for $50 and showed me why the antler broke off “cheap thin bolt ‘snapped’ that was used for the “detachable” antlers. The Kansas mount was just poor quality work. The worry I have is that these taxidermists are Not counting on your repeat business and many are not motivated to do their best work. That’s my thoughts and opinion and based only on my two experiances…..for me - Not worth the risk.

 

[375Fox]

It’s better that it’s done by the more skilled taxidermist. In the US, the taxidermist I choose does the work himself. In South Africa, the taxidermist supervises a large staff and I think it generally lacks attention to detail compared to US work. For your case though, I’d consider the quality of taxidermists you have available in Europe. The vast majority of a US taxidermist’s work are shoulder mounts. From what I’ve seen, the majority of European taxidermist’s work is euro mounts and don’t get the practice US taxidermists get. It might be better in your case to get the work done in South Africa. The turnaround is generally under a year and that this a major advantage to using them if the quality is acceptable to you. You’d need to ask each taxidermy individually their turnaround times but that’s a major advantage of having a huge amount of labor available compared to elsewhere.

 

[uplander01]

I've never seen taxidermy from Africa at the level my guy does it here in MICHIGAN. I use Legends Taxidermy in Scottville, he is a true artist.

 

[JimP]

I've had it done both ways. On my first hunt I had everything shipped here to the US to be mounted except for a euro and a novility stuffed black wildebeest tail. My US taxidermist did a fine job on the mounts but he was 1 to 2 years to get everything done.

My last hunt I had everything done in South Africa by my outfitters shop. Turn around from start to finish to my home was a little over a year. My taxidermist here in the US had upped his prices, plus he was close to being 2 years+ out after he received the Dip n Pack, so close to 3 years at a minimum before I would get them home.

In the end I believe that I saved a couple thousand dollars even with paying for the larger crate.

You can always take a side trip and check out the taxidermist in South Africa that you might use or who will do your Dip n Pack and take a look at his products. You always take a chance with having it done 8,000 miles away from your home, but there is also a chance you take with the Dip n Pack by the time that your US taxidermist receives it.

 

[Rare Breed]

Folks , help me settle this. LOTS of people say this. Is there any truth in it?

I’m inclined to get my skins home asap in case of any import issues 1-2 years down the line - usual turnaround for an African taxidermist is 2 years yes?

So, in theory..

Done in home country - manikin should be the same as in South Africa? I can have more dialogue with the taxidermist on form? Resolve any issues closer to home should they arise. And he should be able to do a decent animal between having hunted in Africa , done mounts in the past plus google images for reference.

So aside from being cheaper in South Africa, is mounting at home not the sensible option?

Or do folk genuinely believe they do a better job because they’re seeing them every day?

I’m also very welcome to hear recommendations if anyone in South Africa is deemed top? Splitting and Highveld look great but I suspect the photos are just of their best stuff.


Opinions much appreciate

In my experience no question better taxi done in Africa due to the following by priority:
1. Time…Africa max 12 months by the time your taxi in US gets skins, does work then ships to you double that without question based on my seven safaris.
2. I still think based on my estimates cheaper all in to have work done
The only problem to me is if a problem with Africa taxi that has never happened to me you really have no recourse

 

[Puddle]

I used a local taxidermist who is an avid African hunter and understood the nuances involved. Then he up and retired on me a few years ago (the nerve of some people).

Then there's the former head taxidermist for the field museum of natural history in Chicago who "retired" out to my neck of the woods and built a shop. He's so backed up with work it'd be faster to ship everything on a slow boat twice around the horn and then some.

So, I'm looking hard at the offerings in both SA and Namibia for the remaining mounts I still need to collect and see if any of them will do.

 

[PARA45]

I've had two taxidermies done, one in South Africa (total disaster), and one in the US, I'm sure they qualify as museum quality. As @Rare Breed stated above, if there is an issue with the work/shipment, etc, etc you're SOL, and you have no recourses but to come on here and b*tch on how you got screwed. Ask me how I know this. At the end of the day, the decision is yours, and yours alone.

 

[UKHunter]

You should focus on the quality of the taxidermist over their location. Find a taxidermist in the UK who works with African game and get it done in the UK. This will save on shipping costs, if there are any issues you can resolve far easier plus you can get them done at your own pace / funds allow.

 

[DieJager]

First class trophy is what I am using. They to the work in Europe, Hungary and send them to your home address afterwards. They currently doing my trophies from Namibia so can let you know afterwards how things went. But they have a good reputation over here. They can definitely help you.

 

[DieJager]

Lot of good taxidermists in Europe that do a lot of African game.

 

[bashaw]

Folks , help me settle this. LOTS of people say this. Is there any truth in it?

I’m inclined to get my skins home asap in case of any import issues 1-2 years down the line - usual turnaround for an African taxidermist is 2 years yes?

So, in theory..

Done in home country - manikin should be the same as in South Africa? I can have more dialogue with the taxidermist on form? Resolve any issues closer to home should they arise. And he should be able to do a decent animal between having hunted in Africa , done mounts in the past plus google images for reference.

So aside from being cheaper in South Africa, is mounting at home not the sensible option?

Or do folk genuinely believe they do a better job because they’re seeing them every day?

I’m also very welcome to hear recommendations if anyone in South Africa is deemed top? Splitting and Highveld look great but I suspect the photos are just of their best stuff.


Opinions much appreciated!

I've always had my taxidermy done here at home with a Great taxidermist Brad Stallsworth here in Oregon, but this last trip I was on, my PH was trying to get me to try a Taxidermist close by in the Eastern Cape, I went and looked at the guys work, it looked like crap. We went to Kwazula Natal to visit some friends, I looked at his trophy room and it was excellent taxidermy work by Marakalo Taxidermy/Nolan Human in Bloemfontaine, BUT taxidermy done there bigger crates more shipping cost. I haven't done the math yet but it probably is a break even

 

[bashaw]

I've never seen taxidermy from Africa at the level my guy does it here in MICHIGAN. I use Legends Taxidermy in Scottville, he is a true artist.

thats what you want is an artist that makes the animal in trophy room look like it did in the wild

 

[bashaw]

I've always had my taxidermy done here at home with a Great taxidermist Brad Stallsworth here in Oregon, but this last trip I was on, my PH was trying to get me to try a Taxidermist close by in the Eastern Cape, I went and looked at the guys work, it looked like crap. We went to Kwazula Natal to visit some friends, I looked at his trophy room and it was excellent taxidermy work by Marakalo Taxidermy/Nolan Human in Bloemfontaine, BUT taxidermy done there bigger crates more shipping cost. I haven't done the math yet but it probably is a break even

Getting trophies back was probably 6 months quicker

 

[Sarg]

This is a good question, I do a bit of work at a taxidermist & he helps me (or should say I sort of help him/them) to mount some of my trophies, so I see things other’s seem to miss in mounts, on forums lots of praise for very mediocre taxidermy, from all countries.

A great taxidermist is great anywhere, I think if mounting lots of the same species it makes sense they would be extra capable on those animals.

A couple I personally trust in SA are Life-Form Taxidermy & Nico Van Rooyen Taxidermy.

It would be hard to beat Life-form any where ?

Cats & Bears are very hard to get right & if you look at the work of a Taxidermist on these it will tell the story.

My friend-Taxidermist in NZ is doing a mount right now of the same animals in a very similar situation as these below, I can’t wait to see how he & his wife’s turn out.

This is Life-Form Taxidermy.

 

[towserthemouser]

This is a good question, I do a bit of work at a taxidermist & he helps me (or should say I sort of help him/them) to mount some of my trophies, so I see things other’s seem to miss in mounts, on forums lots of praise for very mediocre taxidermy, from all countries.

A great taxidermist is great anywhere, I think if mounting lots of the same species it makes sense they would be extra capable on those animals.

A couple I personally trust in SA are Life-Form Taxidermy & Nico Van Rooyen Taxidermy.

It would be hard to beat Life-form any where ?

View attachment 648427
View attachment 648428

Cats & Bears are very hard to get right & if you look at the work of a Taxidermist on these it will tell the story.

My friend-Taxidermist in NZ is doing a mount right now of the same animals in a very similar situation as these below, I can’t wait to see how he & his wife’s turn out.

This is Life-Form Taxidermy.

View attachment 648434
View attachment 648435

Those mounts are absolutely brilliant.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Country of origin means nothing. There are good and bad taxidermists everywhere.

 

[Ridge Runner]

In my experience no question better taxi done in Africa due to the following by priority:
1. Time…Africa max 12 months by the time your taxi in US gets skins, does work then ships to you double that without question based on my seven safaris.
2. I still think based on my estimates cheaper all in to have work done
The only problem to me is if a problem with Africa taxi that has never happened to me you really have no recourse

I think that would depend on 2 things:

1. The quality of the outfitter the client chooses.

2.Whether the taxidermy was done at the outfitter's taxidermy shop or a taxidermy shop not related to the outfitter's operation.

A good outfitter wants repeat business and new clients to stay in business. If there are any problems the outfitter would be willing to do what he/she can to resolve the taxidermy problem.

A taxidermy shop not associated with the outfitter has less incentive to resolve any problems with his/her work.

There are several OPs regarding good and bad taxidermist and taxidermy on AH with good and bad results. The same goes for shipping of completed taxidermy and for dip and pack.

As for having the taxidermy work done in country and shipped; it is more economical with a quicker reception of one's mounts than having the taxidermy work done here in the US. With the exception being animals requiring CITES Permits.