Taxidermy
Another added benefit of hunting with Ultimate Hunting Safaris is that you can track the process of your trophies on our website. Once a week we contact the relevant taxidermists, find out at what stage in the process your trophies are, and update our website. Saving you the hassle of having to do this yourself!
There are two methods of handling your trophies:
Method 1 (Dip and Ship)
Whereby you have your trophies shipped raw from South Africa and mounted in your country of origin.
Method 2 (Mount and Ship)
Whereby, you have your trophies mounted in South Africa and then shipped to your country of origin.
In order to clarify the different methods, we have set out the processes here under:
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Method 1 Stage 1.1 Delivery of trophies to the taxidermist In this stage all your trophies and parts thereof are checked for name tags, booked in and an inventory is taken of each client’s trophies. |
Stage 1.2 Drying and Treatment Time frame: 2 Weeks The skins get put out to dry and are treated with insecticides. They are thoroughly inspected during this stage |
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Stage 1.3 Rotting and Boiling Time frame: 3 Weeks Rotting: The skulls get submerged in water to aid in the rotting process. Boiling: The skulls are heated in water to free the horns and release all the excess flesh & fat from the skulls. After this, the skulls are pressure cleaned to remove any dirt, flesh or fat that might still be present. The horns that have separated from the skulls are tagged. |
Stage 1.4 Bleaching and Neutralizing Time frame: 1 Week The skulls are submerged in a bleach and water formula, thereafter they are neutralized by soaking them again in clean water. |
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Stage 1.5 Drying process Time frame: 5 Weeks Skulls and horns are treated with insecticides and left in the sun to dry. |
Stage 1.6 Quality control Time frame: 1 Week All skulls, horns and skins are manually checked to ensure the utmost quality. |
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Stage 1.7 Finishing process Time frame: 1 Week Skulls, horns and skins are finished off before they move over to the wrapping and crating department.
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Stage 1.8 Wrapping and Crating Time frame: 3 Weeks All skulls, horns and skins are wrapped with bubble wrap and 200 micron clear plastic and a crate is specifically built for each shipment, ensuring that you don’t pay extra shipping costs. |
Your trophies will be ready for shipment in about 4 months.
Method 2 Mounting and Shipping
The skulls will follow the same process as method 1 up to stage 1.7.
The skins will follow the same process as method 1 up to stage 1.2.
Thereafter they will proceed as follows:
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Stage 2.1 Dirt Soak and Pickling Process Time frame: 4 Weeks Skins are hydrated and cured in a pickling solution before fleshing. |
Stage 2.2 Fleshing Process Time frame: 4 Weeks Skins are fleshed and shaved in preparation for tanning. |
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Stage 2.3 Neutralizing and Tanning Time frame: 8 Weeks Skins are neutralized and then tanned in preparation for mounting. |
Stage 2.4 Preparation of Manikin Time frame: 4 Weeks Manikin is molded, sculpted and prepared for the skin. |
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Stage 2.5 Mounting Process Time frame: 2 Weeks Trophy is being mounted. |
Stage 2.6 Drying period Time frame: 8 - 12 Weeks Mounted trophies get left to dry thoroughly. |
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Stage 2.7 Finishing Time frame: 3 Weeks Final touches are added to the trophies and they go through one last inspection. |
Stage 2.8 Packing and crating Time frame: 2 Weeks Trophies are packed and crated in a customized crate, ensuring that you don’t pay excess shipping costs. |
Your mounted trophies should be ready for shipping in 12 months.
Here under the current status of our client’s trophies:
Updated: 9 February 2012 Next update: 01 March 2012
Michael Moran: Awaiting confirmation from Taxidermist. Will update as soon as I have receive the latest stage of your trophies Mike.
Richard Brusca: Rich, your trophies are at Stage 2.4 Preparation of Manakin.
Carl Newquist: Carl, your trophies are at Stage 1.8 Wrapping and Crating.
Jim Kelly: Jim, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Larry Bennet: Larry, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Dave Arnts: Dave, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Joel Dietricks: Joel, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Duke Reilly: Duke, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Kevin Wagner: Wags, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Bob Sparks: Sparksee, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Terry Henry: Coach, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Bruce Bailey: Bruce, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating
Charles Smith: Chuck, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.
Chris Jones: Jonese, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating
David Kern: Dave, your trophies are in Stage 1.8 - Wrapping and Crating.