South Africa hunt, Trophies lost

DVXDUDE

DVXDUDE

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My father and I went to South Africa back in September 2018 and shot 6 animals. Had a great trip, Had nothing bad to say about it, Until now.

We used a taxidermist over there and he keeps emailing us saying only 4 animals showed up and hes missing a Wildebeest and Impala. This has been goin on since November 2018 with nothing changed. He wants a deposit on the mounts hes started and for these two other ones hes supposedly getting. I want all mounts done at same time to keep them shipped together to save a bit of money. Which isn't a problem taxidermist says as long as he gets everything we harvested.

I have talked to the PH we used about this multiple times, Everytime he assures me I will get my mounts back altogether sooner than later. Keeps saying he has them, just no time to drop them off

Fast track to now and taxidermist is pretty much saying pay up now for the ones hes done and forget about the other ones.

I'm now worried the animals we shot are gone and the PH will just find any wildebeest and Impala and send them in saying they are ours to keep us happy. Like it's been almost 6 months and I don't know what to do now.

Anyone have any advice of what to do? I really want these mounts as this was a father son hunt and my dad is getting older and hunting together wont be an option soon.

Pretty bummed and frustrated, I keep getting run around and promised I will get them but I'm not getting my Hope's up now
 
Heard a few similar accounts. Sorry it happened to you.

I was going to say it’s best to have someone deal with it in country such as your PH, when someone else is dragging their heels or looking to take you for more. But depends on your relationship with him. I know my PH in Zim is an old school gentlemen and would move mountains and help me in anyway possible. He made everything seem less and am thankful.

Best of luck. I know it can take more time then it should in dealing with African companies but a fellow Countryman can normally right the ship
 
Who was your Outfitter and who is the Taxidermist. My last set of trophies from the Limpopo took close to 24 months.
 
Lay a complaint at PHASA (professional hunters association of South Africa) if he’s a member they’d take action. Sounds like the PH you used is the problem. Name and shame if you have no joy.
 
Start using the names of the businesses and individuals involved such as the booking agent and the PH guide service on here and any other hunting or shooting forum. Bad press spreads quickly. It may prompt them into screwing you over, but the way I see it, someone has already screwed you over. Start dropping their names along with "bad service" and see how quickly they resolve the issue.
 
Worth posting on Accurate Reloading. Big African crowd on there and many industry insiders who can be surprisingly helpful. Personally I limit taxidermy from trips to a minimum, euros and flat skins and often just give them to the outfit. If they go missing or get wrecked oh well, put the experience in the mind bank and the cash towards the next adventure.
 
If the animal hasn't made it to the taxidermist, what's the likelihood it's not rotten and gross by now? I would think the two missing animals are gone. Pay the taxidermist and get what he's got, spread the word about what PH screwed you...
 
I'm going to wait a few days to hear from the taxidermist again because the PH texted me today and said he dropped them off months ago.

Not sure but I want to see a good picture of the animals at the taxidermist before I send any money. Hopefully I can tell they are mine and not just any animal he sent in.

These two animals he hunted far from the main property and got them later in the day and didnt have permits to bring the animals on the road back with us. So we left them and never did return to that ranch for any more hunting after. Partly why they weren't taken in with the other 4 animals to taxidermist.

I'm going to wait a few days to see how this goes before I drop any names. I had a really good time and the guides/staff were very nice and great hunters. I know the PHs father was killed by a Cape buffalo not long before we got there so it was a bit of a rough time for him and his family.

These are euro mounts the wildebeest and Impala. There is a 59" kudu and wildebeest shoulder mounts my uncle is having sent back with ours.


Thanks to everyone who commented, I'll update once I know more
 
DVXDUDE, hate to see this happen. RSA has it's good folks and some not so good just like anywhere i suppose. Perhaps if you wish you can PM some details about your taxidermy and outfitter. Depending on which area you hunted or more importantly which taxidermist you used we may be able to help a bit.
 
I'd pay for the ones you are sure he's done. Don't offer any extra, they'll take it. My brother lost $2500 getting a marlin done and shipped. That was 3 years ago. It showed up once all smashed to hell. Driver said tractor trailer rolled and told him not to accept it so he didn't. He fought for a year to resolve it but no one would deal with him. Delivery company would only deal with the guy that did the work and shipped it, and he became increasingly harder to find. Brother washed his hands of the whole situation.
 
Well finally an update almost a year later. Picked up most of our mounts today. The full shoulder mount kudu n wildebeest are here but we didnt take them home as my uncle was busy today.

Picked up 5 euro mounts. Blesbuck, Impala and top left wildebeest is mine, other wildebeest and Impala are my fathers. I'm happy as they are well done mounts and studying my harvest pictures I would say these are the ones I shot. Anyways, here's a quick pic laid together.

5jQclkZ.jpg
 
Beautiful mounts, well done, nicely cut straight off. These look great on the plaques. That Blesbok looks especially nice, with the natural colour of the horns preserved. The others look a bit blackened from boiling, but still beautiful.

Let us know when the day comes that you don't get a goofy smile on your face when you stop and admire these. Spoiler alert: it'll never happen! :)
 
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