Not quite a trophy room, but a damn fine wall!

[Scott Slough]

I very much enjoy the entire sharing nature of AH, including reports of hunts that I will probably never take, photos of animals that I will probably never see, and trophy rooms that I will never build. But, 9 months and 1 day after completing my Eastern Cape Safari with Blaauwkrantz safaris - http://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-blaauwkrantz-safaris-the-best-kudu-hunting-in-the-world.16423/ I received my taxidermy from Relive Taxidermy and I now have a trophy WALL!

PS I will work on some better pics and more details. I cleared the trophies myself and had some HUGE issues working with Forward Air in Houston, TX; but today, I want to celebrate!!!!

 

[Waterguy631]

Looks great

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I like it. Nice trophies and nice room. Congrats..
Witold

 

[johnnyblues]

Very nice sir. What are your feelings about the work Relive did?

 

[Bullthrower338]

Looks Great, it has to start with a wall, it just wouldn't be fun if you didn't have to anticipate your next trophy and figure out where you are gonna hang it long before you ever take it. I've already got the spot for my life size Brown Bear picked out and probably won't hunt one for several years.lol I have spaces between my blue wildebeest and impala for common blesbok and a springbok, nobody understands the spacing but me.

 

[Royal27]

Just awesome!!!

I'm excited for you!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Spiral horns are a great way to start.

Nice layout. Glad the trophies made it. (even with the headache)

 

[CAustin]

And what a grand wall it is Scott. Congrats on getting everything brought in yourself.

 

[Nyati]

Nice wall !

 

[siml]

You know you going to need a bigger wall...

 

[Scott Slough]

Very nice sir. What are your feelings about the work Relive did?

Thanks! I was VERY happy with the cape/animal itself. They are very life-like. I really liked the folds with the turned poses for the wall pedestals, the ears, etc.. I was disappointed with the horns. I had read MANY reports about black horns from African taxidermists, and noticed the black horns on Relive's facebook site prior to visiting with Paul Smith, the owner of Relive. I was very clear that I did not want the black horns or the clear product that they placed on the horns and I was assured that my horns would be left with the natural coloration. Paul Smith sent me finished photos that showed very black horns, we shared some e-mails about my options (Paul absolutely offered to do the cleaning and gave suggestion on what I could try), but I opted to have him ship with the black horns, partially because I thought I could clean them and mostly, I wanted them in my possession.

When the horns arrived, they were black, covered with a "waxy" substance, and had a definitive coal tar smell ... and frankly looked fake. I already knew from a couple of previous AH discussions that a wire bush and dawn dishwashing detergent was a good first step. This removed the darkest of the black and most of the waxy feel, and some of the smell. They look much better on the wall and are probably not noticeable to anyone but me ... or another informed AHer !

I am assuming that I can do a little more seasoning with some creek sand and privet bushes down by the creek and get the horns to look more like my memories!

 

[bluey]

looks the goods, mate

 

[billc]

That is a great looking wall. Some very nice trophys by the way.

 

[Scott Slough]

You know you going to need a bigger wall...

I am saving another wall ... a Mozambique buffalo might make the perfect focal point.

 

[Diamondhitch]

Looks great. I really love the narrow bull.

 

[adgunner]

Fantastic, thanks for posting!

 

[gizmo]

Congrats man. Looks great

 

[Warbird782]

Nice collection of spirals you have there. Damn fine wall!

 

[Scott Slough]

Having a little trouble with the tablet, but hopefully this thumbnail will have a close up of the face and the first stage of the cleaned horn.

 

[Deleted member 15212]

looks great!