hide/cape quality of trophies?

[Smallwood]

Is there a prime month that is better to hunt so that your capes are prime from the plains game you kill with your bow?

[J-dog]

They spend so much time in thorn brush that I am unsure if they are ever "prime"! be cool to hear a biologists perspective. Kudu I killed had a really good cape.

J

[2wfstlhunting]

That is an interesting question.  There are multiple ways of looking at it.  Seasonal changes may have some influence but, afterall we are most likely hunting there in their winter.  That means that it is not the wet/green part of the year and nutrition is down a bit.  How much will depend on how the seasons have gone.  The late or post rut period is going to be stressful and probably has an impact on the males.  I have no clue when rut is for them.  I find this question particularly interesting because of a recent personal experience that brought that exact question to mind when I shot 2 kudu bulls that were distinctly different .  I think that we don't talk enough,or think about, the overall appearance of game animals that we are taking for "trophies". That is not really an issue for most deer hunters here at home, but is certainly valid in African hunting. We tend to focus on horns and not the overall appearance of the animal.  I guess that I could go on, but I agree with your point.  This is brought up in taxidermy forums a bit, but from a realistic perspectve, by the time the cape goes through all the rough steps that it does to just get from animal to mount, you have to be happy if it just still has hair on it.

Steve

[Bushman]

It is probably more important how well the cape is taken care of: field dressing, salting, drying and storage. Taxidermists at home tells me the variation is extreme, and range from top notch to worm eaten and more or less ruined.

[T-Bell]

I agree with Bushman - Your capes and backskins are only as good as the people handling them - with that said I truly value each and every scar and worn spot/inperfections on each animal I have taken. To me I would much rather see the animal just as it was taken in the field.

Cheers
T-Bell

[hunt it]

Most capes will be at their prime during rut. As far as quality of service over there, bushman says it right. I would never leave anything to African taxidermist if it is going on my wall.

[Drenalinjunkie]

Originally posted by hunt it:
Most capes will be at their prime during rut. As far as quality of service over there, bushman says it right. I would never leave anything to African taxidermist if it is going on my wall.

Rather silly remark seeing as SA has some of the best taxidermists in the world. And what is their speciality? African game. Maybe you should have a look at Highveld Taxidermy. GREAT service, awesome quality!

http://www.highveldtaxidermists.com/

[hunt it]

We'll have to disagree on this one my friend. Your idea and my idea of quality differ somewhat.

[Smallwood]

Simon, those mounts were beautiful.

[Drenalinjunkie]

Originally posted by hunt it:
We'll have to disagree on this one my friend. Your idea and my idea of quality differ somewhat.

Did you look at the link?

[hunt it]

I have been to Africa a few times my friend and am more than familiar with Highveld's work. There is a big difference between ok taxidermy and great taxidermy. The USA and Canada are lucky to have two of the best tannery's in the world bar none. The test of time is the only good one when it comes to fantastic tanning and taxidermy. Do not get me wrong, there are alot of just ok taxidermists here as well. I am fussy about where I spend my $$$ and if I pay for world class mounts I expect them. The horror stories on African Taxidermists never stop I'm afraid. It's easy to take advantage of someone when they are thousands of miles away and you already have their money. I have many friends that have been litterally hijacked by African taxidermists. One buddy gave up his elephant ivory when told it would require $8,000.00 more to ship them home. He had been quoted $3,000.00 and paid that up front. In the end he told the taxidermist to burry them deep up his A$$ and whent and shot another one and dealt with someone else. There is no real recourse once youv'e had your stuff shipped over and you are not happy with it. I like my taxidermist where I can get my hands around his neck if needed!

[Drenalinjunkie]

To each their own. I however think the biggest thing we're forgetting to mention is preperation of the cape after harvesting the animal. I think this is the most critical stage and will determine the quality of your mount that you will receive.

[hunt it]

You are dead on Simon. This is however not where most goes wrong. Most outfitters have first class skinners in camp. These guys get alot of practice and remove most capes without any meat attached. Salt never seems to be in short supply around any of camps I've been in. Problems occur most of time after outfitter drops off to taxidermist for dip and package. Many leave stuff laying around too long and problems start to occur. If hides are not dipped and packaged quickly bugs take over.

[PZee]

Hunt It

You must be getting the really bad guys every time! My brother-in-law uses a guy in Pretoria that is brilliant! He has a trophy room in SA that is almost exclusively done by these guys now, and the few trophies that aren't, I admit are not the same quality! Some of his trophies are 15-20 years old now, and are still as good as new, minimal hair loss ect. I'll ask him who he uses and post it on here for you.

I do agree though that some of the guys are rip offs, but there are seriously good guys out there! It's just finding them. I also agree that you don't want to spend good $$$ on a hunt to get a lousy memory.

Pete

[PZee]

Hi,

I said I'll ask my brother-in-law where he has mounts done. Well we went there for lunch today and I asked him. He said it's Nico van Rooyen Taxidermy.    http://www.taxidermy.co.za/    He said there is no one else in the world he would trust with his mounts. However, he has never shipped overseas, so can't comment on what they are like in that department. He told me Nico did his first Kudu over 30yrs ago. It was his 13th birthday present. Must say it is still in very good condition for a 30yr old mount!

I hope this will help

Pete

[PZee]

Check out the tusks on this hog!!

http://www.taxidermy.co.za/gallery25.html

Pete

[hunt it]

PZee,

Nico has been around for many many years and is one of the good guys over in Africa. That said I'll still stand behind my original opinion, there may be good guys in Africa but best are outside of there.

[PZee]

Ja true, thats why I now live in England!    

Truthfully, I would love to go back and the wife and I are looking to return home in 2012.

About trophies, even I know it's all about the prep before the skin leaves the farm. Even the best taxidermist can't do anything great with a rotten skin. However a bad taxidermist can at least do something worth while with a brilliant skin!

[andy thomas]

well this is a good thread. but as i see some of the response is coming from africa and england and america, which is great. as for hide quality you will get better hair quality on your animals during the rut which is fall in africa and basically summer time in america. may and june are good times to go. africa does have some talented taxidermist their. but for americans it is cheaper to have the hides and horns shipped over here then pay for finished goods(taxes suck). we have had alot of guys go with us to south africa and some got their work done their and really paid the price in shipping.and hunt it is right about the damage being done after the hides have been dropped off for the dipping and packing.and here is a usa taxidermist.http://www.gotoadventure.com/html/taxidermy/index.html