I don’t know if I can help push you one way or the other. But I can give you a little info to think about. I just did my first Buffalo Hunt in Mozambique last October. Going through the taxidermy process currently.
I decided to do a wall pedestal mount with my bull. This will be my first real taxidermy mount as I usually do euros with elk. I’ve always wanted to hunt Buffalo so a wall pedestal will let me look at him every day and relive the hunt, so I think money well spent.
But it’s going to cost a lot! if I remember correct Emiac is the only company that moves trophies from Mozambique to South Africa. My bill just to get my Buffalo and croc from Mozambique to South Africa is almost $2200. The Buffalo alone would be almost $1700. I’m using SSI as a broker and between them Shipping fees, and permits I’m expecting it to be $4000 to get them back to my US taxidermist. That’s just dip/pack. Then it’s looking like another $3300 to have the wall pedestal done. So I figure all in I’m planning on it costing me a $10,000 taxidermy bill for the wall pedestal Buffalo, euro croc skull, and croc flat skin.
Going forward, I may do euros on future Buffalo and bring them home. Depends on cost. But depending on cost, I might just take pictures and not bring any trophies home. The only exception will be if I shoot a truly OIL buffalo something 45+ inches then I would have that wall pedestal mounted as well. The freight and fees is just getting so expensive. It’s almost not worth it to bring trophies back for me personally.
I’ll be in Zimbabwe in September on a tuskless elephant hunt. Thankfully it’s non-exportable so I don’t have to worry about any taxidermy fees on this one lol.
You’re going to have an amazing time in Mozambique! I would give up all NA big game hunting if I could hunt buffalo every year in Mozambique or Zimbabwe. What area are you hunting in? What are the dates of your hunt?
I see from your profile. You’re also Falconer.
Chase