Red Dune? Splitting Image? Someone else?

[Csnakes03]

Hi all, my hunt is less than a month away, but I'm still trying to pin down a taxidermist. My wife and brother will be accompanying me on the hunt, and we don't plan on taking a large number of animals, 10 at most between the 3 of us (likely closer to 6 or 7). My Outfitter recommends Red Dune, but hasn't provided a current price list for me. I contacted Red Dune directly over a month ago requesting a list and have received no response. With that being said, Splitting Image got back to me within a couple of days, and their current price list for 2025 is cheaper than an old Red Dune list I saw from a few years ago.
I've seen some posts about horror stories from Splitting Image, but I've also seen lots of great reviews, and only a few reviews from Red Dune which seemed average or so. Is there a better option? I want good taxidermy (going to be mostly skins and skulls, maybe 1 shoulder mount or 2) but I don't want to pay a bunch of money and get junk in return. I also am not made of money, so I'm hoping to find a happy medium. Any advice about these 2 businesses or others you might recommend would be greatly appreciated; thanks!

 

[RockSlinger404]

I sent a croc (euro skull and flatskin) to Splitting Image. I wasn't happy with the flatskin as they didn't follow instructions and they went overboard with paint. I've sent it back and I'm expecting it next week. That is relatively easy for me as I live in SA, but would probably be a problem for you. The key is they need to send you photos as they progress. I have to say there were no issues returning the flatskin and they are keeping me in the loop. It might also be worth noting that they glued in some of the croc teeth in the incorrect places.

I also have elephant tusks and tail with them which will hopefully be completed in Sep. To be honest, I'm a little worried about it.

The key benefit to Splitting Image is their logistics to collect trophies, they are by far the market leader and it is one of the factors not many take into consideration.

 

[HuntingGold]

I used to use Relive Taxidermy in PE but just received an email from Paul stating they have merged with Splitting Image since my last visit. Ill be using them for dip and pack and skull bleaching. The rest of the work will be done with local taxidermists.

 

[Hunt anything]

If Red Dune has poor to non-existing communication now when they should be trying to obtain your business would be a red flag for me. Communication in the taxidermy world is a huge problem in my opinion, with so many problems that can arise you have to be kept in the loop so you can make decisions on any problems that can crop up.

 

[SETH RINGER]

LIFE-FORM TAXIDERMY HAS ALWAYS DONE GOOD WORK FOR US AND THEY ALSO HAVE A TROPHY COLLECTION SERVICE.

 

[dailordasailor]

we used splitting image for dip and pack and hide tanning and other than longer lead time then quoted i have no complaints. Didnt have any taxidermy done though.

 

[coreydb]

Splitting Image produces trophies that are beyond description. They are the go to taxidermist across SA not only because of their quality, but their business ethos. They post everything, keep you informed at every phase of the taxidermy phases, and provide you with videos describing each phase and what happens. Because of their extraordinary reputation, many, many, many outfitters use them. Volume increases, backlog occurs. They do not and will not compromise their processes and state that up front. You select them, you must be verrrry patient. My last two hunts; both nine months apart, are still in process, and the wait time has been 17 months thus far. I am NOT complaining. I love their work and to me it's worth the wait.

 

[godwincp]

We finished our safari last August. My nephews took six animals each. The dip and pack only is still not complete and who knows when it will be. That’s ridiculous and I would not recommend them and I have used them twice previously. One of the holdups was waiting for other hunters paperwork before they picked up our animals-

 

[coreydb]

Oh.....You have another, shorter option, and that is to have your trophies dipped and packed and sent to a state-side taxidermist of your choice for mounting.

 

[JOHN GRENZ]

Had good results with Splitting Image for our 2021 hunt with KMG. Good communication and progress photos during mounting. Seven shoulder mounts and two euros. Very well crated and all arrived at my home in good order. Will use again.

 

[Javaman]

We use Wessner’s Taxidermy in PA. They highly recommend Swift Dip for trophy collection and dip/pack services.

I’m coming up on 2 years waiting for Splitting Image to send my trophies to me - too long imho. I’ll follow Wessner’s advice next time.

 

[migrabill]

I insisted on having my taxidermy done in the US. What happens if you have an issue and get something you don't like and you are in the USA and your taxidermist is in Africa? For me, Africa was a once in a lifetime trip - I insisted on stateside taxidermy. Cheaper in AFrica - yes- but also hit or miss.

 

[foxtrot1]

I used Red Dune 20 years ago. I can say they were OK, not great. Spotty communication, but my box showed up on time with the right animals. I had skulls and hides sent to my taxidermist. I do remember a crazy fee for the plywood box as a separate bill from the packaging and crating fee, but when I spoke to my PH about it, it was removed. So no issues and everything arrived. After the box, no unexpected fees.

 

[Andrew62]

I've seen work done by both Bullseye and Lauriston Taxidermy in South Africa. Both put out quality products in a timely fashion. One thing I learned with South African taxidermist, they are not always great at communication.

 

[RLL]

Hi all, my hunt is less than a month away, but I'm still trying to pin down a taxidermist. My wife and brother will be accompanying me on the hunt, and we don't plan on taking a large number of animals, 10 at most between the 3 of us (likely closer to 6 or 7). My Outfitter recommends Red Dune, but hasn't provided a current price list for me. I contacted Red Dune directly over a month ago requesting a list and have received no response. With that being said, Splitting Image got back to me within a couple of days, and their current price list for 2025 is cheaper than an old Red Dune list I saw from a few years ago.
I've seen some posts about horror stories from Splitting Image, but I've also seen lots of great reviews, and only a few reviews from Red Dune which seemed average or so. Is there a better option? I want good taxidermy (going to be mostly skins and skulls, maybe 1 shoulder mount or 2) but I don't want to pay a bunch of money and get junk in return. I also am not made of money, so I'm hoping to find a happy medium. Any advice about these 2 businesses or others you might recommend would be greatly appreciated; thanks!

Splitting image does good work at a fair price. Timelines can be hit or miss but communication is pretty good. Have used them 2 times and will again.

 

[RLL]

Here’s a few pics from the S.I. production facility in P.E.

 

[MarkB]

I had Hunters and Collectors (H&C) in Port Elizabeth do my 2021 D&P, plus tan a croc flat skin. By far the best company I have worked with in all Safaris. Communication was fast and as important precise with answers, updates and pics. Kept me fully informed. As important to me was costs, they were 1/3 the cost of my outfitters "recommended" taxidermist, and best of the 4 quotes I received. They also organized pick up of my animals from 5 separate areas of SA. No charge to me.

As for crating, I had 22 species and needed a pallet sized crate, I used MPact a SA plastic company. They have multiple sizes, mine was a new 4'x4'x4' pallet size with forklift slats built in, plastic, sealed, leakproof with lid, a fruit crate, weight is not an issue as dimensional weight overrides actual weight but crate is about 80 lbs. Made for international shipping, was $200 delivered to H&C. 50% less than quoted crating fee.

I was given the grand tour of their operation when I visited, Kevin and Nicole were outstanding, their display room is a museum of African taxidermy as they do that also.

I highly recommend you contact them.

MB