Trophy Giraffe

mstewart44

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While in RSA this past April, I saw a very dark giraffe with almost a birthmark on his face - making his face almost white.

A giraffe has never been on my radar as an animal to take while on safari but after looking at the pictures of this old guy, I have had a different mindset.

Most of the giraffe I've seen have simply stood there and looked at the truck as we drove by, almost like we were in their way instead of running as fast as they can. This makes me think of them as more of an animal at the zoo than a trophy to take while on safari.

What am I missing here? I am going back next year so I am not sure if I want to put this on the wish list or not??

I've attached pictures of the giraffe mentioned above. You gotta admit, he's very unique!

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I never thought I'd hunt a Giraffe either, until I started learning more about them, and what a beautiful flatskin they make. Not to mention the sheer size of the animal and how unique they are...

Anyway, I can think of lots of reasons to justify hunting one. Or two, now that I see the one you passed up!

That is the Giraffe of a lifetime if you ask me! Not only is he very dark, but the white face woulda done him in for me had I been in your shoes.

Flatskin him, and make a head mount that goes back far enough to take in all of the white on his neck.
Unless you want to shoulder mount him.
Better yet, just pm me with his location, and I'll go get him instead!

Seriously...
that's a nice bull.
 
I never thought I'd hunt a Giraffe either, until I started learning more about them, and what a beautiful flatskin they make. Not to mention the sheer size of the animal and how unique they are...

Anyway, I can think of lots of reasons to justify hunting one. Or two, now that I see the one you passed up!

That is the Giraffe of a lifetime if you ask me! Not only is he very dark, but the white face woulda done him in for me had I been in your shoes.

Flatskin him, and make a head mount that goes back far enough to take in all of the white on his neck.
Unless you want to shoulder mount him.
Better yet, just pm me with his location, and I'll go get him instead!

Seriously...
that's a nice bull.


Agreed
 
A very interesting animal, never seen one like it !
 
Shoot him, he's gorgeous!
 
Ive taken a giraffe with my bow. I consider them the poor mans elephant. Taking one is not for everyone (just like elephant) but it can be a very fun hunt. I say go for it!
 
A giraffe is certainly on my list! And after seeing my uncles flat skin and shoulder mount, there is no doubt that I will take one. This bull is really something special as well..
 
Personally I would never hunt a Giraffe with a gun, but I really would like to hunt one with a bow.
I really like the color of that Giraffe and would love to have that skin in my house :)
 
These gentle giants are docile by nature, but will defend themselves if attacked using their front feet. Man and the Lion are their only real predators, and due to shear size, the Lion risks being kicked to death if he chooses to attack. When Hunting Giraffe, the approach can be very difficult due the terrain in which they are found. This animal has exceptionally keen eyesight, acute hearing, and a very cautious disposition, all of that combined with his height, definitely give the advantage to him and not the hunter.
 
Great Bull!!!!!!!!!! I had the opportunity early this year to have a go at a young bull. I also thought that it would be a easy hunt seeing that they never appear to be skittish when viewing them in national parks... Upon doing some homework and talking to hunters who had hunted giraffe before, it became apparent to me that this was going to be a tall order... Not only are they very difficult to approach on foot, they have a thick hide and you have to make the first shot count!!!! For these "big" animals can disappear in the bush like you can not believe. So after allot of practice, watching dvd's and memorizing the vitals of this magnificent animal the day of the hunt arrived! Long story shot, stalking this animal was extremely difficult and it never presented a shot from the sticks for very long. In the end i had to go for the head shot for the giraffe was standing behind some thick scrub and only the neck and head was sticking out. It was a bag of mixed emotions standing next to my first giraffe..... all i can say is that this is truly a beautiful and BIG animal and that i would hunt this animal again! Just be prepared for some fast shooting.... Next time I'll be looking for something in the range of the bull you posted above......
 
That's one of the best I have seen, you be lucky someone doesn't shoot it before you go back, I have one on my list for my hunt next year and I am looking for a black bull just like that.
 
543166_10150906850631347_197044724_n.jpgI passed up a pitch black bull because he wasn't big bodied, I still regret that day even though years have passed since. Hunt them on foot to really respect there keen senses. I have hunted 4 and seen many, but your picture is the 3th one I personally have seen that is black. I won't pass on him! A hanging shoulder mount is lovely.
 
View attachment 13460I passed up a pitch black bull because he wasn't big bodied, I still regret that day even though years have passed since. Hunt them on foot to really respect there keen senses. I have hunted 4 and seen many, but your picture is the 3th one I personally have seen that is black. I won't pass on him! A hanging shoulder mount is lovely.


Now THAT is BLACK!
I like it. I like it a LOT!

You guys have me wanting to shoot another Giraffe.
 
That is a really really handsome giraffe!I would jump at the chance.
 
Given the chance to take a really black bull like those pictured above, there would be no hesitation!

Very nice bulls!!
 
There are many color and patch patterns on Giraffes and Getting a dark one is not as easy as you think.

Skins are pron to hair slippage. The cooler the better. Take a long time to skin one in the field.
land rover will not hall them... a lot of planning is necessary for success.

My time limit was until 7 am, however we had a cool day and we went to 8 and i was able to get a nice one that had a maple leaf pattern on it. The Black ones we were looking for were not found until i had mine in the salt house.
 
There are many color and patch patterns on Giraffes and Getting a dark one is not as easy as you think.

Skins are pron to hair slippage. The cooler the better. Take a long time to skin one in the field.
land rover will not hall them... a lot of planning is necessary for success.

My time limit was until 7 am, however we had a cool day and we went to 8 and i was able to get a nice one that had a maple leaf pattern on it. The Black ones we were looking for were not found until i had mine in the salt house.


Isnt that how it always seems to happen, I have wanted a giraffe with my bow for some time the only problem is one would never fit in my house.
 
Well, since I started this thread I have had the opportunity to go back and hunt South Africa again.

We did ask the land owner if he would let us take the giraffe I posted in the opening post. Unfortunately, he said no.

However, I did find a nice "dark giraffe" that will now be my trophy. Here's a couple of photos.

Once we started looking him over we discovered one of his spots was in the shape of Africa. How cool is that??!!

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Awesome looking bull! Congrads on a fine animal. Are you thinkin a shoulder mount or ???
 

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