Bring your birds home — legally and intact.
Stehling's Taxidermy is a federally licensed USDA facility (W10015) for the import of restricted avian species. If you're planning an international hunt, we handle the logistics, the paperwork, and the customs clearance — so your trophies get to the workbench, not confiscated at the border.
Very few taxidermy studios in the country are USDA-approved.
Importing birds — or any restricted avian species — into the United States requires a federally approved facility on the receiving end. Without one, customs has no choice but to hold or destroy the shipment.
Our W10015 designation lets us legally receive your birds, run them through the required quarantine and clearance, and move them straight into our taxidermy workflow under one roof. No middle handler. No re-shipping. No risk of damage between agents.
Three steps from the field to your wall.
A simple process — as long as it starts before your hunt does.
Contact Us Before Your Hunt
Reach out before your trip so we can walk you through the import procedures. We'll provide our USDA facility number and shipping address — both required on USDA VS Form 16-78 for customs clearance. Even if you personally carry the birds back into the U.S., our facility info must be on the form, and the birds must come directly to us.
USDA Clearance & Quarantine
On arrival, all birds are placed into our designated quarantine area and processed under USDA protocol. Only authorized staff are permitted in this area. We maintain a detailed log of the clearance process, provide it to the USDA, and make it available to you.
Direct Into the Studio
Once cleared, your birds move directly from quarantine into our taxidermy workflow — the same studio that handles every other Stehling's mount. One facility, one chain of custody, one team responsible from import to install.
Use this exact info on USDA VS Form 16-78.
Save this page or screenshot the card below. Your outfitter, dip-and-pack provider, or shipping agent will need every line of this for customs.
Stehling's Taxidermy LLC
Jefferson, WI 53549
United States
Aaron is your direct contact for every international import — reach out by phone or email well before your departure date.
Three things to know before you book.
Taxidermy Clients Only
USDA clearance through our facility is available only to clients who are also using our taxidermy services. We can't act as a clearance-only broker.
Wrong Paperwork = Confiscation
Failure to have the correct forms or USDA facility information listed can result in your birds being confiscated at customs — permanently. There is no second chance once the shipment is held.
Plan Well In Advance
Contact us well before your hunt so we can prepare the paperwork, coordinate with your outfitter and dip-and-pack, and answer questions while there's still time to fix anything.
Importing turkeys from Mexico?
The Mexico Goulds turkey import is one of the most common reasons hunters come to us — and one of the most frequently confiscated trophies at the border. We've built complete guides for every step of the process.
Don't lose the bird at the border.
One conversation before you leave the country can save the trophy of a lifetime. Reach out before you book the hunt — we're here for it.