REPORT: Disappointed with Taxidermy by Wild Africa Taxidermy

[sincitynut]

After enjoying a wonderful hunt with Marius Goosen and KMG Safari's in 2012, my hunting partner Bruce and I FINALLY got our trophies back today! YES TODAY!!!! Almost 20 months later. After unloading the crate at
Bruce's house, I brought my trophies home to take the final wrapping off in anticipation of seeing my beautiful trophies, boy was I ever DISAPPOINTED!!!!!
I had 2 European mounts done, my Blesbok and an Impala, and 1 shoulder mount done which was my Springbok.

Our taxidermy work was done by Wild Africa Taxidermy and I will NEVER use them again!!!! My shoulder mount looked as if a 6 year old had done the stitching up the back of the neck and across the shoulder, I was absolutely horrified. The European mount for my Impala, had a yellow tint on both sides of the nose almost like a dark patch about 2"x 3 or 4" in size. I will upload pictures tomorrow so everyone can see what I mean. This has really put a damper on my wanting to go back to Africa. I loved hunting with KMG and they did a wonderful job, but the taxidermy and shipping leave ALOT to be desired.

 

[enysse]

I don't want to tell you how to feel or think. But take a deep breath! At this point there is not much you can do.

Next time dip and ship back to the USA. And use a recommended dip and ship approved by AH members.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I would NEVER use Wild Africa Taxidermy again, Their work is below average and I was truly disappointed with my trophies. It looks as if a 6 year old did the stitching on my shoulder mount Springbok, pictures to be posted tomorrow

Crappy news..
That is the nightmare we all want to avoid. Let's see what you ended up with.

Did you share your concerns with the taxidermy?

 

[sincitynut]

We have pretty much decided that that is exactly what we are going to do IF we go back. We absolutely loved hunting with Marius and KMG, we felt like family when we left and we do want to hunt with him again, but this was a bitter pill to swallow. You are right, there is not much if anything we can do now.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Shi**y news.
The Euros can be worked on.
Perhaps Marius can get a cape sent to you to have it remounted in the US.
A Springbok cape should be simple enough to obtain.

 

[CAustin]

20 months is an extra long time to wait! To be disappointed when the work arrives is to add insult to injury. I have posted before that I have had good fortune to find and use Capricorn Taxidermy out of Polokwane RSA. Mike and his team did great work and helped me with shipping issues. At the one year mark folks should get concerned and ask their outfitter for help with the taxidermy folks.
I would suggest you send pictures to the taxidermist and ask for a partial refund!

 

[Savage Hunter]

hey Sincitynut, I am sorry to hear about your work.
I leave on July 18 to hunt with Marius. I am sorry to hear about your taxidermy. If you would like, I could see about shooting an extra springbuck and ship you a tanned cape.
I'm doing dip and pack, so you would have the charge for D&P, the USA tannery, and the cost of shipping from me to you. (no charge for shipping from Africa as 1 cape wont cost anything.)
Maybe a cheap cull animal is available, or split the trophy price or maybe some other arrangement can be made on the trophy price of springbuck.

Maybe check with Marius, he might could find a cape that wouldn't cost anything and just include it in my crate and you'd only have shipping from me to you.
Or you might check a local taxidermist. He may have a cape or could likely get his hands on one cheaper than what I could do for you.
blessings,
Jerry

 

[All-American Taxidermy]

Sincitynut,
Sorry to hear about this experience. If you wish contact our studio- email is best, kapraunwildlife@tds.net , we may be able to salvage your springbok shoulder mount with the original skin, if not we have capes in stock for a remount. We would be able to help you with the European mounts also. You would have 10% off your ENTIRE bill with discounted shipping. We are located just outside of Chicago.
My best,
Matt

 

[Red Leg]

I always have capes shipped back to the US to a taxidermist I trust. The whole process from hunt to wall is a tad longer, but I know where my guy lives Like Brickburn, I agree that the good news is this is a pretty easy fix. I know you can get another springbok cape - I would start with Marius - and let a US taxidermist mount it. If the euros will easily come of the plaques, set them in flat pans and then tightly pack cotton wadding around them, being careful to keep it below the bottom edge of the horn. The resulting packed material only needs to be 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick. Then get plain old over the counter Hydrogen Peroxide and thoroughly moisten the wadding. Let it sit for 24 hours, remove, allow to dry, and you should have even, brilliantly white sculls.

Or call Matt above!

 

[Christina Nyczepir]

Andrew Pringle of Crusader Safaris recommends using African Wildlife Artistry and that is who is currently mounting our trophies from the hunting group I was with. I have not seen them yet, so I cannot speak from my perspective. I understand they are almost completed. Here is their website. They are located in Port Elizabeth. http://www.africanwildlifeartistry.co.za/ I'll post photos as soon as I see something.

 

[Christina Nyczepir]

I really appreciate your sharing your experience with Wild Africa Taxidermist, because that is who this next outfitter I am hunting with recommends. I shared your experience with the outfitter. My preference is to have them shipped back here to the U.S. to have them mounted by Grafton Cromwell.....a highly recommended (even by other taxidermist) located in Charlottesville, VA....only a couple hours from me. But I have to agree with Wayne....make sure WAT knows that you are NOT happy with the results. They do come recommended by others who have used them. They should correct the error immediately and without cost to you. All businesses make mistakes. But the only good ones are those willing to stand behind their work or product and to correct any issues as quickly as possible.

 

[enysse]

I fully agree a taxidermist like Matt can fix your problem.

 

[sincitynut]

This is what my Springbok looks like, I have been able to get anyone on the phone at WAT

 

[Savage Hunter]

It's hard for me to tell by the pictures, when I click on them they don't get really big enough. But, You may be able to have a local taxidermy fix that. They can re-hydrate the seam and shave the form down a little and restitch it. Of course, it'd like cost you $100 or more.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Hi Frank,

Marius is out on Safari at the moment. I have informed him of the poor service you have received from Wild Africa. He has informed me that he will take it up with them and that you should expect correspondence from them soon. We have recently taken it upon ourselves to inspect every single crate of our guests to ensure that every single crate is of satisfactory standard, no matter which taxidermy they decide to use.

We can assure you of our full support in dealing with this matter.

Best Regards Kim

 

[sincitynut]

I just got an email from KMG and they are going to look into this for me. As I stated earlier, my time with
KMG Safari's was absolutely wonderful!!! Marius and his crew are very hard working and a true joy to hunt with.
The memories I have in pictures and on video make this disappointment a lot easier to deal with.

 

[sincitynut]

Walkingprey2,
That is pretty much what my hunting partner Bruce and I have decided on doing. Just having them dipped and packed and shipped back home to have the work done here. There are several taxidermists within 2hrs of my home that do great work on African animals.

 

[adgunner]

Sorry to hear and see that mount. I am currently awaiting a crate from Wild Africa Taxidermy and have had good dealings with them. Marius at KMG even snapped some pics of mounts nearing completion. I sincerely hope Wild Africa will right this. I am also leaving for a hunt with KMG on Sun from Canada and in the same vein as Savage Hunter above, if there is anything i can do please ask.

 

[TOM]

I've been screwed twice by RSA taxidermists. I've given up on using them. Right now i'm fighting with a taxidermist to get my trophies from 2009......

 

[enysse]

I have come to conclusion to either do no taxidermy or dip and pack to the USA or Euro Mounts.

Matt lives near me and his prices are reasonable. No worries and less BS. So yes I endorse using a USA taxidermist. And he is AH sponsor.