BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[csumerall]

So me and my buddy have decided that we are going to make the trip to africa for atleast 2 weeks. We both have familes, houses and jobs which may rule out some of the more desireable game. And from everything Ive read that once you go you will want to return many times. I guess what Im looking for is some adivice on what would give me a good taste of hunting in africa. I know I would like a kudu, diuker, and a eleand. Ive looked around and it seems like everyone has packages but I wasnt sure if they were worth the money or not. Anyhow, any words of wisdom would be great. By the way we are both 25 so walking long distances is a non issue

[cam69conv]

For one dont expect to bring home any meat from any kills. They wont allow it period. As far as your mounts, If memory serves you will have to submit an application and the mount will be done there... Will take a while. I dont trophy hunt so I have no use for african hunting since I wouldnt be bringing home the meat. Good luck and have a blast. And make sure that whoever you book the hunt with donates all the meat to needy people. No use it going to waste.

[CVC]

I am considering going to Africa for cape buffalo. Here is what I've learned through my research so far.

If you're from the US then use an US booking agent. The cost is the same, but you will have a US contact. Watch out for part time or amateur agents who do it just to get free or reduced trips.

Watch out for hidden costs and get everything in writing before you go.

Charter flights can add significantly to the cost of your trip.

As far as I have been able to determine you don't need to have your mounts done there. I think I would have them done here because I've read stories of mounts being stolen. It would suck to have the caped skin stolen, but it would suck more if you paid for the mount and then it was stolen.

I offer none of this as gospel, but just my research/opinion.

[cam69conv]

Hey CvC... You would have to have them done there or at least left there for curing and such. No fresh animal hides or meat are allowed into the US from Africa. Thats according to the US Customs page.

[cam69conv]

Found this on a site... Its a taxidermy site called highvield taxidermy in South Africa.

Q. What if my uncle is a taxidermist and in order to keep peace in the family I must have him do the taxidermy work?

A. When un-mounted trophies are sent to the United States they still must go through a process here at Highveld in order to be allowed to ship. The "green" skins and skulls must be treated, often called "dipped" to ensure that there is no transfer of bacteria or other microscopic organisms that would be harmful if transported to another country. Highveld is authorised to perform all of the necessary treatments to safely ship green trophies to any destination. Once they are dipped and shipped they will pass through the same inspections coordinated by the import broker. The import broker will then ship the green trophies to a taxidermist certified to receive green trophies in the United States. There the trophies will be treated again and can be mounted there or sent to the taxidermist of your choice.

That process takes a while if I remember correctly its the chem dip that takes like 5 to 10 days.

Sounds like a lot of money to me. I think Id just stick to the pictures and the memories of the hunt and not worry about a head onna wall!!! LoL

[kevin davis]

i have been to africa three times. you can bring back any hide, skull, horns that you wish, but it must be done in the proper manner. your trophy parts must be "dipped and packed" with the acompanying veterinary certificates and must be sent thru one of the 8 entry ports approved by USFWS, so not any airport will do, you must have them delivered to an "authorized" taxidermist (this is new as i had my hides delivered directly to me in 2003), and it does not matter if you tan the hides there or here as far as shipping goes,they get salted and treated and come over. mounting there or here is a matter of choice, but it is harder to deal with a poor mount done there than here. there are stories both ways. if you have a CITES trophy, then you need the correct export permits (the PH should handle that) and/or import permits from USFWS. you will almost certainly have to deal with a company such as Coppersmith to handle all the shipping, customs, USFWS, and brokerage issues. you can expect to pay about $1500 to $3000 for all this service, depending an what is shipped to you. you will not get anything for a minimum of 4-6 months, possibly longer.

if you are looking at a plains game hunt, my suggestion would be to get kudu, gemsbok, eland, blue and/or black wildebeest, springbok or blesbok, impala if available, and a zebra if available. the package deals are OK, but i prefer to customize my trophy list for just what i want. of course, the list could be longer, but money always becomes an issue at some point. check to see what is offered at the place, definitely avoid a charter if you can, and if they do not list their trophy fees and daily rates and what is included in them, beware.

good luck :P

[cam69conv]

So in other words you cant "bring them back" but you have to wait like 6 months at least before your Taxidermist can even begin right? Thats kinna what I thought just from what Ive seen and looked up for him. LoL Like I said. Sounds like a little too much trouble and expence for a head onna wall. But thats just me. I have money because I dont blow it. Memories and some really good pictures!!! LOL :thumbsup1: Have a blast and good luck on your adventures.

Oh yeah dont forget, they have mosquitos down there that you could book a flight on :laugh: dem buggers are HUGE!!!!!!

[csumerall]

thanks for all the replies, Now on to the next who would you reccomend as an agent? and also is there any companies that someone has had bad experiences with that I should stay away from.

[kevin davis]

a lot depends on where you will go.

i have been to namibia twice and went with a group of hunting farms called "die Keiler". they have a web site. they are good down home people and will give you a good hunt. they have a lot of game on their five areas.

i have been to tanzania once and went with wendell reich of huntersquest.com. he gives you all the facts about all sorts of fees and exactly what your costs will be, excluding tips, and is up front about everything and easy to work with. he also books hunts in other countries, including namibia.

if you want a bunch of testimonials and information about outfitters, you can look at www.accuratereloading.com in the africa hunting forums. there is alot of information there from hunters, both good and bad.

the reason it takes so long to get stuff from africa is partly because your trophies may stay out in the bush until the end of the season, and only then are forwarded on to the taxidermy outfit there that will dip and pack them and get the veterinary certificates. if you hunt in may, then they may not get to the forwarder until november, then they may sit around waiting for a spot on the airplane until january or february, and then show up here. if your taxidermist then needs to work on them, add another 3-6 months and it can end up a year later before your trophy is on the wall. patience is the only thing you can have at this point in time.

i hope this has helped.

[CVC]

Who and how much do you usually tip?

[91xlt]

I would absolutely recomend it!!! :yes:

most defenitely cannot bring meat back,
most defenitely can have mounts done in either US or Africa.

Hides, horns skulls, tails etc. can be shipped back, as Kevin stated, must go thru the dip and pack shipping process...
the reputable taxadermists are very aware of the routine.

I am having my trophies finished in Africa.
My thoughts are, who in the US has molds for gemsbock, blesbock, hartebeast, etc...?
I guess you could "find" someone to do them correctly, but why? IMO

Some of the hunt packages are good. Depends on "your" trophy list.

[csumerall]

Ive only heard one suggestion of outfitter Im sure everyone has used different ones. I would rather use the recommendations of this board than what google pulls up for me

[csumerall]

leapord...................shot you a pm hopefully you got it

[JCalhoun]

csumerall;

Check your PM. :D

[csumerall]

thanks alot. Do you know where he is out of , I work odd hours so I dont want to call too late or early