Hunting in Africa: Preparation, Trophy Care, and Bringing Your Skins Home

Embarking on a hunting safari in Africa is the adventure of a lifetime. From plains game to dangerous game, hunters are drawn to Africa for its incredible diversity of species and the chance to experience hunting in the wild, open country. But a successful safari doesn’t begin when you step off the plane—it starts with preparation, planning, and making sure your trophies are properly cared for before they come back home.

At Stehling’s Taxidermy, we’ve helped hundreds of hunters navigate the process from pre-hunt preparation to seeing their finished mounts displayed proudly in their homes. Here’s what you need to know before, during, and after your African hunt.

Pre-Hunt Preparation

• Paperwork and Planning: Before you leave, fill out a hunter information sheet. We submit this to Coppersmith Global Logistics to ensure your trophies are tracked properly and paperwork is in order. This step makes the import process smoother.

• Know Your Mounting Preferences: Discuss quotes and mounting options with us before your trip. This helps you decide on poses and species so you can budget accordingly.

Trophy Handling in Africa

How your animal is skinned and fleshed in camp makes a huge difference in the final mount. Always ensure your outfitter—or the skinners they employ—uses fresh salt generously after fleshing. Proper salting and drying are critical to preserving hides during transport.

We also recommend communicating directly with your outfitter about the importance of careful skinning around the face, ears, lips, and feet. Mistakes made in the field can be very difficult, if not impossible, to fix later.

Shipping Trophies Home

Once your safari is complete, your skins and skulls will be prepared for export. Most hunters work with freight companies like Coppersmith Global Logistics. Depending on the species, your trophies may need USDA clearance:

• Direct to us: Many species can be shipped directly to Stehling’s Taxidermy.

• Tannery first: Animals such as pigs and primates require USDA-approved facilities. Since we are a USDA facility for birds—but not pigs or primates—these items must go through a certified tannery first.

Having your skins tanned in the U.S. rather than in Africa ensures the best quality and consistency. U.S. tanneries follow strict standards, and you avoid the risk of hides being mishandled overseas.

Why Mount in the U.S. vs. Africa

While some hunters consider having mounts completed in Africa, there are key advantages to choosing a U.S. taxidermist:

• Lower Long-Term Costs: Mounts completed in Africa carry high shipping costs—fully mounted trophies are much bulkier and more expensive to transport. Shipping raw, salted hides is far more economical.

• Quality & Detail: With decades of experience, we provide the high-quality artistry and anatomical accuracy hunters expect. Our team has mounted nearly every African species and knows how to capture lifelike detail.

• Personalized Process: Once your trophies arrive in the U.S., you can visit our studio to select poses, finalize mount styles, and place deposits. We also offer easy 8-payment options, making it convenient to move forward with your order.

• Support Every Step: From filling out forms to coordinating with shipping agents, we are here to assist you at every stage of the process.

After Your Hunt

Once your trophies land in the U.S. and clear customs, we’ll notify you. This is the perfect time to:

• Finalize your pose and mount decisions.

• Place your deposit to start the order.

• Arrange payments through our flexible plan.

You’ll know your trophies are in the hands of professionals committed to preserving your hunting memories for a lifetime.

Experience You Can Trust

At Stehling’s Taxidermy, we pride ourselves on producing museum-quality mounts with unmatched detail and durability. With years of experience handling African trophies, we understand the logistics, challenges, and artistry involved. Our mission is to make the entire process—from booking your safari to displaying your trophies—as smooth and rewarding as possible.

Whether this is your first African hunt or your tenth, trust us to handle your trophies with the care and expertise they deserve.

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