African animals taxidermist

[seth30]

I just booked a hunt next year in RSA and looking at prices of shipping a mount from RSA can be very pricey.  Looking for a taxidermist in Washington that any of you have dealt with exotics and had a great mount.  Pics are a plus!  We will be hunting Zebra, Wilderbeast, Warthog, Gems buck, and Jackals. 

[Bushcraft]

Do NOT have your stuff mounted in RSA and shipped here.  Better to have them done here in the states by a reputable taxidermist that can look you in the eye, go through everything with you, and provide updates along the way.

Michael White of Nature's Way Taxidermy in Spanaway does awesome work.  https://natureswaytaxidermy.com/

He can be a little gruff, is expensive, and is a little choosey about the work he takes on, but the end results are worth it.

Taxidermy is art.  Not all taxidermists are artists. 

[edit to fix the name and add his website address]

[seth30]

Thank you Bushcraft!!

[CarbonHunter]

I second Mike as he has done a couple mounts for me and there is always African mounts in the work when you visit his shop. Link to his website below and he has a good gallery for you to look at.

Like Bushcraft says he is picky on what he takes in but if he does take your animal it will turn out awesome.

https://natureswaytaxidermy.com/

[seth30]

Thank you for the link!  Just added it to my favorites for future use. 

[elkslayer069]

Another vote for Michael. He’s very busy. I’ve been there when he’s turned away work. The sable he has in his office is outstanding.

[deerlick]

House dull of mikes work here, wouldn't go anywhere else.

[Berin Denson]

Hunted in SA last May.  My crate is hitting US soil next week and off to Butte, MT for Taxidermy.

https://www.atchesontaxidermy.net/

These guys are super reputable. Owner, Tom Hardesty, has decades of experience with SA taxidermy. 

[washingtonmuley]

I sent all of mine to John Hayes in Libby Mt.

[CarbonHunter]

Probably a good idea to line up 3 shops just in case. Never know if the guy your thinking of using might get a bunch of work in before you get back and might not be able to take your trophies.

[jamesjett]

 

Mike is worth the money and worth the wait.  He has done several deer and life size bear for me.

I second Mike as he has done a couple mounts for me and there is always African mounts in the work when you visit his shop. Link to his website below and he has a good gallery for you to look at.

Like Bushcraft says he is picky on what he takes in but if he does take your animal it will turn out awesome.

https://natureswaytaxidermy.com/

[DeerThug]

Look at Ric at allthatswildetaixmerdy ton of experience with African animals and doing multi-animal wall natural sets.   He can take your mounts and make a wall of art out of it.

[shootem]

Rick at Cedar River Taxidermy north of Enumclaw did a great job on my African trophies. He is also on this site.

[seth30]

Thank you so much for all the information on different taxis.  Will start reaching out once my trip is about to start.  We just paid the deposit and are excited to go out next spring! 

[greenhead_killer]

Teejay at trapline in cle elum just posted a 4 mount pedestal that turned out killer. He does great work all around

[seth30]

The pedestal  mount is pretty cool, but I have cats so everything will have to be on the wall.  I saw one gentleman stated not to have anything taxied in south Africa.  Is is because of cost, or damage in shipment?  Do you have your hides soft tanned before shipping to your taxidermist?   

[Rob]

You probably know this, but you will want to make the Taxi decision prior to leaving for your hunts.

Your PH is going to want to know who to ship to and will arrange to have the hides and horns direct shipped to your taxi.  Most taxidermists will send you with a packet of tags to have attached to your hides and horns to help keep things from getting lost.

I would recomend my taxidermist as he was amazing but he retired this year (he was in Tx as well)

Good call on having the work done stateside.  It is very much hit and miss in Africa.  Often they pickle the hides rather than tan them.  This deteriorates over time. 

Benefit with African Taxidermists is that they are a lot cheaper.  It ususally offsets shipping. You just never know what you will get.

I have had finished leather done in Africa and contrary to what I just said it has been good quality.  They did my hippo leather and my croc belly.  Well done and a lot cheaper.  I think some taxidermists cut corners on the hair-on tanning but perhaps the finished leather goes direct to a tannery?  Not 100% sure

[seth30]

Thanks for the explanation Rob. Will ask my PH if they tan or pickle, that's a good bit of knowledge to have!!  Once the weather gets a little less wet, will take a bike ride to a few of the taxidermists recommended and do a meet and greet.  We are booked for the 2026 may hunt, and really looking forward to it.  According to DR Google, shipping taxidermy from RSA is spendy.   Thinking of taking my bow, but still doing some research on that aspect.  My future PH recommend for wilder beast (GNU) that I use a fixed 125 Grain Broad head. 

[Rob]

Let me know if you have more questions.  I have done the trip 3 times and had mostly good experiences.  It has been a few years since I have been however (last trip was 2016 I think?)

Be ready to wait when it comes to taxidermy.  It is not unusual to have it take 9-12 months for the hides and horns to arrive stateside.  There are also costs on the US side that are not often communicated.  (storage costs in the US waiting for USDA to inspect the shipments, freight forwarding, etc.  This would apply to mounts and hides/horns. 

I will see if I can dig up any details on expenses from my trips.

[Trapline Taxidermy]

Hello Seth,

We are a USDA Approved AE and can assist with any mounting or pre trip planning you need. We've hunted South Africa and can help with your importing as well. Our lead times after a deposit is made is 8-12 months. Our owner used to work for a South African Taxidermy company before moving to the PNW. We wish you the best on your hunt - If you have any questions just reach out.

(541) 207-6269

[seth30]

Thanks for the reach out, will call this weekend, as my work schedule is different than most,  My 3 am is your 3 pm