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A Guide to Choosing the Right South African Taxidermist: 5 Things to Look For
Choosing a South African Taxidermist can be a daunting task and the quality of the finished piece of art will depend on the skill, experience, and passion of the taxidermist. Choosing the right taxidermist is an investment into the memories of your hunt. To ensure you select the best possible Taxidermist for your needs, consider these five key areas when selecting an experienced taxidermist.
Investment in Quality Products and Services.
Always make sure that your chosen Taxidermist invests in quality materials and services. Ask to see the finished pieces of previous customers to get an idea of what kind of quality you can expect. A passionate Taxidermist will not only use quality products, but they will also take the time to ensure that each piece is worked on to exact detail, resulting in a truly individualized work of art. Ask your taxidermist about turnaround times, quality work is not a rushed process.
Credentials and Affiliations.
It is important to pick a Taxidermist that is licensed, registered and inducted. Make sure that your Taxidermist has proof of industry memberships such as the South African Taxidermy and Tanners Association (SATTA) Additionally, check for qualifications and professional associations with organizations like the International Taxidermy Association, Safari Club International, and many more. This will guarantee you professional quality workmanship and peace of mind. Splitting Image Taxidermy is proud to be the home of three times world champion taxidermist and sculptor Travis de Villiers.
Experience and Reputation.
Experience should always be a top priority when finding the right South African Taxidermist. Make sure that your Taxidermist has lots of experience and is familiar with the latest taxidermy techniques as well as the legal requirements. Ask him or her for photos of past work and read customer reviews and testimonials so that you can make sure you are getting quality service. Boasting over 60 years of combined experience between our senior managers. A good reputation will go a long way towards guaranteeing great results. As hunters ourselves, we understand the time and financial investment in the hunt, the memories and the taxidermy that will later hang on your wall.
Staff Training and Education.
Choose a Taxidermist whose staff is well trained, educated, and certified on the latest taxidermy methods. The best Taxidermists should be ready to provide proof of their qualifications. This not only ensures you will receive quality service, but also ensures that your animal products are handled properly in compliance with current laws and regulations. Many of the staff at Splitting Image Taxidermy have been long standing employees with a handful of them working alongside owner and managing director Douglas for over 20 years. The team at Splitting Image Taxidermy will ensure your trophies have all the legally required documents to be exported safely and efficiently.
Use of Latest Technology and Techniques in Taxidermy Artistry.
Excellent South African Taxidermists pride themselves on the latest technology and techniques used in their craft. From 3D scanning to detailed resin replicas, modern taxidermy has gone beyond traditional skinning and stuffing. Quality Taxidermists use the best materials available and are always looking for new ways to make their works of art even more realistic. That way, you can be sure that your animal product is as accurate and lifelike as possible. We are always innovating, pushing the boundaries of sculpting, and continuously upgrading the quality of manikins. Splitting Image Taxidermy is excited to continue sculpting new taxidermy forms that with both new and tested methods, creating anatomically correct taxidermy time and time again.
