I will be on a bowhunt in South Africa next month. If it goes well, I hope to work in a morning waterfowl hunt. (No, not with my bow). How can I get the skins back to the states for mounting? I will have a local taxidermist prep the hides and horns of the critters, but what about any ducks or geese I might bag? Can they be defated and salted and then rehydrated or what?
Any and all info would be great! Thanks!
Don Sherpy
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so ago where he prepped the birds for Cabelas I think.
Stefan Savides (California)
13722 Ridge Lane, Tennant/Macdoel, CA 96058 -- (916) 398-4700
There are a number of different options. Much depends on where you will be hunting and the facilities at those points, also the skills of those taking care of the birds and how close the taking of birds will be to actually flying back into country. Unless you have an import permit, you will need to contact a US taxidermist who does. That person will then give you the necessary paperwork identifying them as the receiving individual identifying scientific names of species and other things that will help get the birds in country and directly to them. They will either assess a fee for processing them to your prefered taxidermist or do the work for you. If the birds are collected well before your return and you do not have a freezer available then the article by Stephan refered to above is an excellent one and is clear regarding salting the skins. If you have a freezer available and or the logistics are such that you can have the birds frozen and stay frozen that would be my personal preference. I skinned mine and froze them wet. I did not remove the fat on either ducks or geese. This will work if you are able to bring them with you on the plane in a cooler. I have used this method on two trips to Argentina. Although not a guarentee, the Dept of Ag at the port of entry have large freezers. I have had no problem getting the birds in reasonable condition. If you ship them with your other trophies I would make sure on who is packing them and how they will be shipped. Hope this helps some.