We strongly encourage stateside tanning and taxidermy.
Many outfitters will encourage you to use their local (foreign to you and me) services as they are often rewarded for referrals. The pressure can be very intense, but you ultimately make the decision on how your trophy is to be handled. Remember that crating and shipping on a finished mount will greatly add to the seemingly inexpensive cost, and tanning chemicals and processes are not regulated as they are in our country. Most importantly, you have little to no recourse if you are not pleased with your finished product. We have seen some trophies that have been damaged beyond repair by the field care, the tanning, and especially the taxidermy done overseas.
One of the Wildebeests pictured on this page came to us as one of the worst examples of tanning we've ever encountered. The customer didn't know what he was getting until it was far too late. Rob worked his magic and created a truly fabulous mount, but some extra costs could have been avoided by using our tanner who we know and trust with any game from anywhere in the world.
Don't leave your capes behind! Can't afford the taxidermy? We suggest that you still have your hides shipped and even tanned -- there is a market for them stateside and you may be able to sell them to pay for some of your trip, or maybe a horn plaque or European mount. You might even just save them and mount them next year when you win the office Superbowl pool!
Please contact us if you are planning or interested in planning a hunt outside the United States. We will be happy to provide you with a comprehensive package with essential information regarding international shipping and handling of your trophies. We will also provide identification tags for all your game. Please check out the International Hunting Process page for more information on how to get your trophies safely home. |