Taxidermy

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

My first to SA this May 18.
Where is the preferred taxidermy, USA or SA ?
Please comment on cost, quality and service. How do you feel about the recommended taxidermist by your outfitter/ PH.

It is a tough decision, one thing you might consider. If a skin is damaged for whatever reason. It usually can easily be replaced, if the replacement takes place in Africa.

 

[RUGER77]

So you trust him just a few question's I will keep this simple #1 how long have you known Gizmo on a personal basis ? #2 have you been to his shop? #3 Have you seen his work? #3 Can you come up with more people to vouch for Gizmo? #4 If any answers are no why should we [the forum ] trust you or Gizmo?

 

[LivingTheDream]

 

[huntinlabs]

Oh wow that escalated quickly..

 

[huntinlabs]

@gizmo I sent you a pm.

 

[ActionBob]

I have him doing my first Mule deer, along with a couple other things. He is one of three taxidermists I'm trusting with my stuff. I don't have anything back yet from Erik, but I'm trusting him. He has always been there when needed and has gone out of his way for me. Stuff I hunt successfully in his area will likely continue to go to him. He is relatively close to my KS farm and mule deer property.

Another is in Africa. But he is one recomended by other clients here on AH. Paul Smith with Relive. Expecting a huge shipment in a couple months or so.

The third was recommended by another AH member, has great pricing but even more so is a real artist. I have some critters back from him and they are fantastic. Plus he is close to home so I can pop in and I live in the area he grew up at and hunts regularly. So he delivers for free here and will check my stuff annually. Wild Images in Motion. He has some major projects and stays very busy. I make sure to remain a preferred client

 

[gizmo]

@gizmo I sent you a pm.

Sent one back

 

[gizmo]

So you trust him just a few question's I will keep this simple #1 how long have you known Gizmo on a personal basis ? #2 have you been to his shop? #3 Have you seen his work? #3 Can you come up with more people to vouch for Gizmo? #4 If any answers are no why should we [the forum ] trust you or Gizmo?

This guy has a personal beef with me because he got his panties in a wad over an Obama joke a year or so Back. He will never use me for anything, which I’m fine with as I wouldn’t take him on as a client anyway.
On the other end of the spectrum this guy knows absolutely nothing about me other than I hurt his sensitive feelings a year or so ago.

 

[Royal27]

This guy has a personal beef with me because he got his panties in a wad over an Obama joke a year or so Back. He will never use me for anything, which I’m fine with as I wouldn’t take him on as a client anyway.
On the other end of the spectrum this guy knows absolutely nothing about me other than I hurt his sensitive feelings a year or so ago.

I'd say that's pretty much 100% correct. @RUGER77 and @gizmo didn't hit it off and it looks like ruger still has a grudge. His quote from way back when is below.

When you make a post to sell a hunt it is open to all,[ you 2 brought up politics] no need for a new thread, my dad always said no one knows how dumb you are until you open your mouth, I will make note of your Rockin G Ranch and look for a hunt some place else

All that said I've known Erik personally for three years now. I've been to his ranch multiple times, he's been to my house more than once, and our wives are friends.

I also have an in velvet mule deer euro hanging on my wall that he did a great job on, especially considering the condition it made it to him in. Almost a week in a cooler in warm weather ain't the best for velvet... I also have a goat euro I will pick up next time I see him and will use him again in the future.

So yeah, I trust him.

Full disclosure, he isn't the only taxidermist I use but like I said, I'm happy with his work and will use him again.

 

[gizmo]

I'd say that's pretty much 100% correct. @RUGER77 and @gizmo didn't hit it off and it looks like ruger still has a grudge. His quote from way back when is below.



All that said I've known Erik personally for three years now. I've been to his ranch multiple times, he's been to my house more than once, and our wives are friends.

I also have an in velvet mule deer euro hanging on my wall that he did a great job on, especially considering the condition it made it to him in. Almost a week in a cooler in warm weather ain't the best for velvet... I also have a goat euro I will pick up next time I see him and will use him again in the future.

So yeah, I trust him.

Full disclosure, he isn't the only taxidermist I use but like I said, I'm happy with his work and will use him again.

Thank you Royal

 

[wesheltonj]

My two cents, Don't hire anyone without personally seeing the work, preferably the same type of work you want done. And even then, you have to be careful. And never go on what's in their shop, that's going to be their best work to get you to hire them. Go see someone work that's in someones house, because that is most like the quality that you are going to receive, not the best display shop pieces.

And again, its easier to solve problems in the USA than the RSA.

 

[johnnyblues]

Ruger77 If I'm not mistakes is the same guy who hunted with Kingsview safaris and placed a very bad report on that operation. Again if it's the same guy he neglected to tell the forum he was drunk most of the time during his safari. So again if its the same guy he has no worth in my opinion.

 

[RUGER77]

Wow And they were simple questions, grade school level yes or no and tell some details and you couldn't answer them! Next time I will use preschool terminology. When ever someone say's the word trust I see a big red flag.

 

[RUGER77]

Ruger77 If I'm not mistakes is the same guy who hunted with Kingsview safaris and placed a very bad report on that operation. Again if it's the same guy he neglected to tell the forum he was drunk most of the time during his safari. So again if its the same guy he has no worth in my opinion.

If I'm not mistaken you are or was a us rep. for them, and back then you answered a ad for that job, you never met them, you was never at their place yet you were bragging how great they were just like this post. Your word has no worth you boast and pump up people you know nothing more than pen pals. Are you a physic? You seem to have an opinion on people you know nothing about.

 

[RUGER77]

I'd say that's pretty much 100% correct. @RUGER77 and @gizmo didn't hit it off and it looks like ruger still has a grudge. His quote from way back when is below.



All that said I've known Erik personally for three years now. I've been to his ranch multiple times, he's been to my house more than once, and our wives are friends.

I also have an in velvet mule deer euro hanging on my wall that he did a great job on, especially considering the condition it made it to him in. Almost a week in a cooler in warm weather ain't the best for velvet... I also have a goat euro I will pick up next time I see him and will use him again in the future.

So yeah, I trust him.

Full disclosure, he isn't the only taxidermist I use but like I said, I'm happy with his work and will use him again.

Ruger77 If I'm not mistakes is the same guy who hunted with Kingsview safaris and placed a very bad report on that operation. Again if it's the same guy he neglected to tell the forum he was drunk most of the time during his safari. So again if its the same guy he has no worth in my opinion.

As far as drunk, contact Limcroma Safaris, Riaan Jacobs ph and East Cape Safaris Grant Abrahamson anyone on here is welcome to email them or if you want I will post their phone numbers Johnny boy talks out his ass

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

 

[johnnyblues]

As far as drunk, contact Limcroma Safaris, Riaan Jacobs ph and East Cape Safaris Grant Abrahamson anyone on here is welcome to email them or if you want I will post their phone numbers Johnny boy talks out his ass

. You ought to be banned from here. Just my opinion.

 

[johnnyblues]

If I'm not mistaken you are or was a us rep. for them, and back then you answered a ad for that job, you never met them, you was never at their place yet you were bragging how great they were just like this post. Your word has no worth you boast and pump up people you know nothing more than pen pals. Are you a physic? You seem to have an opinion on people you know nothing about.

Last time I engage you.. Everyone was told this was a new operation and I had not hunted there yet. But did so the following year.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Had my taxidermy done in SA, for the "savings", but by the time it was all said and done, it still cost me an arm and a leg! No real "savings", and I was disappointed in the end result, to boot!! Next time I will bring the trophies home to the States to be done, whether it be skull mounts, hides, or full shoulders. Dennis does exceptional work, but I've seen other work by American taxidermists whose mounts look better than those I had done in SA. Do I think that all SA taxidermists are poor? No, not at all......but as someone else said, if you are disappointed, I'd rather have them close by than half a world away to complain.

 

[huntinlabs]

Had my taxidermy done in SA, for the "savings", but by the time it was all said and done, it still cost me an arm and a leg! No real "savings", and I was disappointed in the end result, to boot!! Next time I will bring the trophies home to the States to be done, whether it be skull mounts, hides, or full shoulders. Dennis does exceptional work, but I've seen other work by American taxidermists whose mounts look better than those I had done in SA. Do I think that all SA taxidermists are poor? No, not at all......but as someone else said, if you are disappointed, I'd rather have them close by than half a world away to complain.

If you don't mind me asking who did yours? You can PM it if you don't want to say in the open