NSW_HUNTER
.224 member
Reged: 31/07/09
Posts: 40
Loc: NSW Australia
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In a little over a week I will be heading over to Zimbabwe for my 1st African safari, a 10 day plains game hunt and I can't wait the main two I want to target are Kudu and Eland which I would like to have shoulder mounted back in Australia I would really appreciate it if anyone would be able to give me some advice to who to use in Zim or SA to prepare and tan what ever I end up taking.
Regards Matt
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aromakr
.375 member
Reged: 20/04/11
Posts: 849
Loc: Hamilton, Montana
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Matt:
Usually your PH will have a taxidermist that they work with, if you intend to have the work done in Australia I would just have the African's flesh and salt the capes, remove the horns from the scull plate, no more than that. Your Taxidermist will have a tannery of his choice to do the balance of the work.
Bob
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40648
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Yes if getting them mounted by a taxidermist in Australia, ask for a dip and pack plus documentation service. As aromakr says the capes and skins will be fleshed, salted and dried probably in the field by the outfitters staff. Plus the horns and skull cap fleshed and dried. Then delivered to a taxidermist for packing and documentation and shipping.
Get quotations for this as sometimes a nasty surprise can occur in terms of prices.
Have the name and address of your Aussie taxidermist with, so it can be sent direct to them. Quarantine sometimes wants to do stuff when they arrive like radiation treatment. Your Aussie taxidermist can advise. Or they may get the dried skins sent straight to them.
In Zimbabwe I have used two or three taxidermist services. The quickest was the HKK Outfitters own in house dipping and shipping service. Got back to me almost too quickly as I needed to pay the bills earlier!
The taxidermist I used in Bulawayo was Taxidermy Enterprises, now called TCI (Trophy Consultants International).
I visited another in Bulawayo but haven't used. I think it was Collett's Wildlife Artistry. On their website they say they were established in 2003. I visited a taxidermist in 2002 (?) and it was a taxidermist which only just started. Maybe my dates are wrong? Collett's had some amazing taxidermist work, and some innovative and attractive ideas.
Remember to take some labels to attach to your horns, capes and skins, so you know they are yours and so there is less chance of mix ups.
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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93mouse
.375 member
Reged: 17/08/07
Posts: 745
Loc: Slovenia
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For me there is only one person to deal with trophies in Zim - Andy Hunter.
http://www.thewildlifegallery.com/dippack/index.html
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gryphon
.450 member
Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
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I was dropping off several heads at my t/dermist a week or so ago and he showed me some "horror" capes and skins that he had received for Aussie clients..badly mangled caping jobs..IE lips missing,1/2 ear missing due to incompetent skinners etc.Some of these were tanned before shipping back to Aus.
I believe that if you want your animals to be right for the taxidermist to show off your trophies as best as possible to actually cape/skin/turn ears and split lips your self.
I know that if I shot a Kudu I would be either doing it myself or supervising it 100%..why take a punt on "she`ll be right"
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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.
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NSW_HUNTER
.224 member
Reged: 31/07/09
Posts: 40
Loc: NSW Australia
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Thank you all for your advice Gryphon I've seen and heard of some horror stories as well I'll be keeping a close eye on any trophy prep would you be able to let me know which taxidermist you use? Also when you fellow Aussie's have brought back capes/horns from Africa that have had the dip/pack service if the paper work is order and the items have been fumigated what has been your experience regarding Australian custom ?
Regards Matt
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gryphon
.450 member
Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
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I have been to Peter Anthony at Mansfield Vic with the last lot of heads Matt,he is a good bloke and is also a credentialled Alaskan guide...he knows his stuff.
My Kiwi mate took two nice Sambar stags home with him after hunting with me a fortnight ago and his own taxidermist was impressed with the cape work when it arrived back in NZ..take your time and do it properly imo.
The best way of course is to leave the meat on the body and not on the skin,it is so much more toil in removing meat later so as to maximise salt penetration.
YOU CANT USE TOO MUCH SALT BTW!
Gary Pegg is accredited receiver of OS heads n horns..he is of course a t/dermist as well.I havent had work done by him though many I know have.
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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.
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NSW_HUNTER
.224 member
Reged: 31/07/09
Posts: 40
Loc: NSW Australia
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Cheers Gryphon
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ozhunter
.400 member
Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Andy Hunter would be my pick
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HendrikNZ
.275 member
Reged: 20/12/10
Posts: 94
Loc: New Zealand
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Another vote for Andy Hunter in Zim.
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40648
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Big difference between a quality outfitter who may have well trained skinners and some rough as guts but cheap outfitter who has UN-trained skinners.
One of my outfitters said all his skinners were trained within one of the taxidermists in skinning before they worked for him.
One of the things to ASK the outfitter BEFORE booking the hunt, as part of the evaluation process.
In Australia I have used Gary Pegg as a taxidermist several times, the first lot of African trophies had some rough features, but later heads were better.
More recently I have used Mario Carnesi - Mario's Taxidermy in Melbourne. There is another taxidermist of the same name in NSW I think.
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
Edited by NitroX (27/09/13 02:48 PM)
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40648
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Some interesting advice from the Collett's webpage:
Q. How do we know our trophies are well prepared and cured?
A. It is advisable that you bring with you adequate prepping tools i.e. surgical blades, skinning knives as this is Africa and there is a possibility that their equipment is not of the highest standard. Ask your professional hunter questions so you understand the procedures e.g. How far from skinning facilities are you hunting? If the hunt is far from any skinning facility you will need to prep your trophy and keep it cool to prevent problems.
Q. What are the best field care procedures we need to look out for?
A. 1) The professional hunter's vehicle needs to carry a container of water, a canvas cover to keep the animal cool, equipment for loading big game.
2) Animal must be washed of all blood on and around the wound as this can contaminate and cause hair loss.
3) Be sure of what you want to do with your trophy before skinning, so you can get the correct incision for your mount. Make sure you give your professional hunter clear instructions so he can implement them.
4) Be sure that when you offload your animal that you fill out and attach your labels. Make the start of your incision and attach your tag immediately. This will guarantee no mix up with other trophies.
5) Make sure you and the professional hunter check over your hides before salting. Make sure ears/eyes, lips are well turned and that they are fleshed off all flesh and fat.
6) Make sure trophies are well salted. Preferred salt to use is Medium Grain Sterilised Salt. Botswana Pan salt is not ideal for fur skins.
7) Skulls need to be partially cooked to remove all meat. Not over-boiled as this will damage horns and make them brittle.
8) Be sure that at the end of your hunt your trophies are well cured.
9) Make sure that your outfitter is equipped with adequate bug prevention for their storage shed.
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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