REPORT: Taxidermist Eastern Cape Port Elizabeth Johannesburg

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

We have recently discovered that the Cape Springbuck shoulder mount hanging in our lodge, was done by H&C, I think it was 30 years ago.

The two studios are probably situated 10 Miles apart. Get your PH to take you to visit both studios before your hunt.

 

[johnnyblues]

We have recently discovered that the Cape Springbuck shoulder mount hanging in our lodge, was done by H&C, I think it was 30 years ago.

The two studios are probably situated 10 Miles apart. Get your PH to take you to visit both studios before your hunt.

My PH uses hunters and collectors or I should say recomnds them. He is a personal friend of Paul Smith of Relive Taxidermy. He has never used them so I guess I also need to decied on who to use.

 

[billc]

I have seen relives work in person.I looked at finished stuff to all phases of working being done.I have not seen anyones work in SA that is as good as there's. There are some other good ones but relive gets as close to the work we get here in the states and still charges a fair price.For the money you spend you get great quality work for it.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I have also seen their work in person. Same opinion though.

 

[billc]

Thats ok everyone can have a opinion marius.

I would just tell anyone looking to check out there work in person and compare prices also.Everyone looks at taxidermy differently and like certain things in there mounts.Dont know what h&c charges but I would prices both and make a choice that makes you happy.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Bill, I have enough experience in this field to tell you that if taxidermy is important to you, price takes a back seat. You get what you pay for. Sure, you get a fine line between "acceptable" quality at the right price, but if you want your animal to be mounted by a specialist, it comes at a higher price.

 

[billc]

You are right there marius but paying more does not always equal better quality.Just like someone being in business 30 years compared to someone who is new in business.Both can do great work but one has a name so they can charge more for the work.

When I talk pricing it goes with looking at the work also.There is a line were quality and dollars meet and spending more does not always equal better.

I have looked at both there work but only have seen relive in person.I only had to see the pictures of h/c eland to realize I want to use relive.WE have two eland being mounted.Plus I am having my sons lioness done and relive cats are as good as I have seen.

Better work better pricing in my eyes so I went with them.I pay top dollar for the work I have down in the states and have one of the best studious around near me but feel I am getting as good of work from relive and saving thousands.I dont have a problem spending on anything but I spend it wisely and get the must I can for my hard earn money

 

[johnnyblues]

I have seen relives work in person.I looked at finished stuff to all phases of working being done.I have not seen anyones work in SA that is as good as there's. There are some other good ones but relive gets as close to the work we get here in the states and still charges a fair price.For the money you spend you get great quality work for it.

That's what I ve been told. There references were outstanding and that from an experienced African client who in his group had 40 pieces done. I plan on sending them a few plains game trophies next year while on safari for leopard in Namibia.

 

[johnnyblues]

You are right there marius but paying more does not always equal better quality.Just like someone being in business 30 years compared to someone who is new in business.Both can do great work but one has a name so they can charge more for the work.

When I talk pricing it goes with looking at the work also.There is a line were quality and dollars meet and spending more does not always equal better.

I have looked at both there work but only have seen relive in person.I only had to see the pictures of h/c eland to realize I want to use relive.WE have two eland being mounted.Plus I am having my sons lioness done and relive cats are as good as I have seen.

Better work better pricing in my eyes so I went with them.I pay top dollar for the work I have down in the states and have one of the best studious around near me but feel I am getting as good of work from relive and saving thousands.I dont have a problem spending on anything but I spend it wisely and get the must I can for my hard earn money

Sounds like and I see your from PA you might use Wildlife studios/Wes Good

 

[billc]

That is correct johnnyblues.I use wildlife studious/wes good I think he is one of the best around.I just made the choice to use relive and use the money I save for the next hunt.I would still say wes's work maybe a little better but not thousands of dollars better.

 

[johnnyblues]

That is correct johnnyblues.I use wildlife studious/wes good I think he is one of the best around.I just made the choice to use relive and use the money I save for the next hunt.I would still say wes's work maybe a little better but not thousands of dollars better.

Yes Wes does run a great studio but you pay no question. I doubt I will have any regrets sending a few plains game to Paul next year. But if successful on leopard Dennis Harris of artistry of wildlife will do my cat. His cat's are unreal.

 

[johnnyblues]

Wes did this for me last year. Very happy with his work.

 

[billc]

That is a nice combo mount.Wes did some nice cats last year but dennis does nice work also.

The best cats I have seen are by phil soucy but you pay and wait years.Does mustly mtn lions but does african cats to.

 

[enysse]

Johnnyblues, how big was that red stag?

 

[johnnyblues]

Johnnyblues, how big was that red stag?

387...I am happy with him

 

[johnnyblues]

That is a nice combo mount.Wes did some nice cats last year but dennis does nice work also.

The best cats I have seen are by phil soucy but you pay and wait years.Does mustly mtn lions but does african cats to.

That's what's great about Dennis, fantastic work on cat's and they say 90-120 day turn around

 

[TokkieM]

Just something to consider when you expect the best work. If you want a good mount, there are many taxidermists that can deliver, if you want a great mount of every single animal, you cannot expect to have your work done by one taxidermist. Just like many other things in life there are specialists in the taxidermy world. For example I will never hesitate to send a Kudu to Kevin at H&C, he knows how to mount a Kudu. When it comes to smaller antilope Field and Stream are hard to beat (not in EC).
The same goes for birds and fish, one guy may be great at one species another better at something else. Dont expect a great mount from a taxidermist who has never mounted a particular species or mounts one a year. A good indication of how much of a specialist a taxidermist is in a species is the amount of moulds he has for a particular animal, not just the general position of the mount, but if he carries multipal sized mounts for the same species, eg neck sizes on Kudu. It is not always possible to send mounts to a specialist because you may have 5 animals floating at 4 taxidermist, but a bit of homework goes a long way in getting the best there is. We spend years planning what and were to hunt and the mounts easilly cost the same and more than the hunting, worthwhile spending more time researching and visiting some taxidermists while in Africa.

 

[johnnyblues]

Just something to consider when you expect the best work. If you want a good mount, there are many taxidermists that can deliver, if you want a great mount of every single animal, you cannot expect to have your work done by one taxidermist. Just like many other things in life there are specialists in the taxidermy world. For example I will never hesitate to send a Kudu to Kevin at H&C, he knows how to mount a Kudu. When it comes to smaller antilope Field and Stream are hard to beat (not in EC).
The same goes for birds and fish, one guy may be great at one species another better at something else. Dont expect a great mount from a taxidermist who has never mounted a particular species or mounts one a year. A good indication of how much of a specialist a taxidermist is in a species is the amount of moulds he has for a particular animal, not just the general position of the mount, but if he carries multipal sized mounts for the same species, eg neck sizes on Kudu. It is not always possible to send mounts to a specialist because you may have 5 animals floating at 4 taxidermist, but a bit of homework goes a long way in getting the best there is. We spend years planning what and were to hunt and the mounts easilly cost the same and more than the hunting, worthwhile spending more time researching and visiting some taxidermists while in Africa.

That is true and why I am sending if successful my leopard to Dennis. Masterful on cats.

 

[billc]

There is some truth to not one place does everything well.But I think that is more about birds,fish and big game then one cant find someone who does most plains game well.Some guys do great work on birds but stink at big game heads others may do fish well.Some studius have an artist first each so they can do everything in house.


That is one of the things that made me pick relive really.I did not find a weakness in any of the animals I am having him mount.From eland to springbuck as well as his lions made me happy.Living in the states we have huge studious doing everything well.Makes it easier then picking a SA place.I did not want to use 3 places in SA to mount my stuff and then get it packed.I feel relive gave me the best choice for doing my order at one place.

 

[enysse]

387...I am happy with him

You should be! He looked around 400 to me.