New Zealand trophies make it home after 5 years

[littlemac]

Well, it is hard to believe but Christmas has come early this year.  I got a call a month ago that my mounts were ready to ship from my hunt in New Zealand five years ago.

I had spoken with the taxidermist a couple times a year since the hunt and always was assured the mounts were in process and while it would take awhile, they would make it.

Kind of surprised they did make it, but make it they did.

I took a Red Stag and Sika Deer on the north Island and a Thar and Chamois on the south island.  Trip of a lifetime, I am so fortunate to have made it.  I still remember booking the trip with my friend at the SCI show in Reno back in 2006 and then the wait for the trip in 2008.

I'll post a few picks of the mounts.  The first are of the shipping crate, all 500 plus pounds of it.  Opening it I was really excited to see the mounts.

[littlemac]

The cordless drill was busy as I removed the Chamois and the Sika from the front wall of the crate.

Then down came the wall so I could access the Red Stag which was attached to a board screwed into the floor.

Lots of screws but the mounts traveled half way around the world and were in great shape.

[littlemac]

So with a few hours to get them on the wall I did a quick set up in my office that should work for now, I will most likely find a better arrangement for them, but for now they are home safe and I couldn't be happier.

When I get the Thar out of the crate and on the rock formation I will post it.

The bottom two pics are panorama, make sure to slide the photo to see it all.  Thanks for looking.

[h2ofowlr]

Wow, five years?  Did he give you a discount after that long of a wait or is that customary?

[carpsniperg2]

That was a long wait. Who was the taxi?

I always love when them big brown boxes from new Zealand start to show up.

[NW-GSP]

That is amazing!

[Jingles]

Nice looking mounts happy for you to finally get your stuff Congrats on the successful hunt.

[pd]

Congratulations.  It looks like you need a new office?

[MLBowhunting]

What a great xmas gift

[littlemac]

Wow, five years?  Did he give you a discount after that long of a wait or is that customary?

No discount. He has offered to host me for some wing shooting and fishing if I get back there. 

His partner taxidermist (ex-wife) returned to the USA and it left him short handed.  The year I was there the Two hunters that were the week ahead of me shot 35 trophies and had all of them full mounted. 

Well, without the second taxi he was up the creek.  In addition his other outfitters threatened to stop bringing him trophies if he didn't keep to a normal schedule with their clients.  Evidently a few hunters behind me are still waiting too. 

He was appreciative of my patience (which was growing short) and that's good by me, especially now that I have my trophies.

pd; as the picture shows I do have an issue with my space.  The euro elk mounts aren't doing well stacked in the corner.  Two of them are my sons that I can store until he has a place for them but I have 10 myself.  Never expected to have that many, so I'll have to come up with a plan for them.  I have another moose euro I have on the back patio too.  I can't complain about the success I have had, just have to build a bigger garage I guess.

carpsniperg2; taxi was Kaweka Taxidermy, I'm really pleased with his work and he's back on track now.  Glad he didn't give up and now has his outfitter partners at a manageable level.  Same as before he married his wife and tried to expand his business which didn't work out when she left and he couldn't find another partner.

[littlemac]

Here's a pic of how the Thar mounts to the wall.

[starbailey]

Tar are just cool. Have to life size to to see just how cool. Congrats on finally getting them home.
On a different note: How is that moose mounted in the corner like that?

[littlemac]

Tar are just cool. Have to life size to to see just how cool. Congrats on finally getting them home.
On a different note: How is that moose mounted in the corner like that?

 Built a corner box, triangle shape, and mounted to the face of it. Worked well to not take up all the room if mounted off a wall.   12 foot ceiling keeps it high enough to not lose all the space below it.

[Spuddieselwwu]

Tar are just cool. Have to life size to to see just how cool. Congrats on finally getting them home.
On a different note: How is that moose mounted in the corner like that?

 Built a corner box, triangle shape, and mounted to the face of it. Worked well to not take up all the room if mounted off a wall.   12 foot ceiling keeps it high enough to not lose all the space below it.

Nice animals, thankfully it looks like it was worth the wait.  Looks like you had them delivered to Roger Jobs Audi in Bellingham?

[littlemac]

LOL, that's me, if anyone needs an Audi, Porsche or VW

[starbailey]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[bearpaw]

I've made numerous trips to New Zealand. If you go there again, I have two taxis in NZ who will get your stuff expedited within a few months to the US, then an American taxidermist can get it done much faster for you.

[Wea300mag]

Those are sweet!!! Really love that Thar.

[littlemac]

I've made numerous trips to New Zealand. If you go there again, I have two taxis in NZ who will get your stuff expedited within a few months to the US, then an American taxidermist can get it done much faster for you.

Thanks, while it took a ridiculous amount of time, I am pleased with the result. I appreciate the offer of info, at least they'd be here to check on.

[10Key]

Look great! And yes, time to get going on the garage addition! If you need a wing-shooting partner for that trip down south...

[jackmaster]

that stag is awesome   

[bearpaw]

I've made numerous trips to New Zealand. If you go there again, I have two taxis in NZ who will get your stuff expedited within a few months to the US, then an American taxidermist can get it done much faster for you.

Thanks, while it took a ridiculous amount of time, I am pleased with the result. I appreciate the offer of info, at least they'd be here to check on.

Hard to go only once, so if you go back and want the info just let me know and I will dig it up for you. 

Nice looking animals form your last trip! 

[npaull]

Gorgeous. I have to do a hunt in NZ sometime soon... so many cool animals to hunt.