Alternatives to Taxidermy

Muntjacer23

Muntjacer23

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Hi all!

I’ve got my first African hunt coming up in a couple of weeks, for which my primary target will be a Cape Buffalo.

My plan is to get the skull euro mounted.
But I was just wondering if anybody has any other recommendations for remembering the hunt?
I was thinking a nice framed photo or canvas. But can anybody recommend any unique or special ways they’ve commemorated their hunt?

I’m looking forward to seeing some pics of what you guys have had done!

I will of course write up a hunt report and post it on here too!
 
For my lion, I took cotton handkerchiefs and dabbed them in blood. I then took the photo the handkerchiefs, and the round casings and made a shadow box
 
While at the SCI there was an artist that did both paintings and Photos. He would take the photo add paint and "improved the background with native plants" if it looked to barren. Ran about 3K, the photos were about 30x 24 inches I think. I think his name was Cupples??? He said he was going to contact this site. Anyway, looked like an affordable alternate to taxidermy.
 
Vic said:
For my lion, I took cotton handkerchiefs and dabbed them in blood. I then took the photo the handkerchiefs, and the round casings and made a shadow box
Click to expand...
That sounds like a great idea. I’d love to see a photo of your shadow box to visualise it better if you don’t mind sharing it
 
Robert Copple, Art and Soul.
 
24”x36” canvas prints from Amazon.
IMG_3739.jpeg
IMG_3738.jpeg
IMG_3737.jpeg
 
dlmac said:
While at the SCI there was an artist that did both paintings and Photos. He would take the photo add paint and "improved the background with native plants" if it looked to barren. Ran about 3K, the photos were about 30x 24 inches I think. I think his name was Cupples??? He said he was going to contact this site. Anyway, looked like an affordable alternate to taxidermy.
Click to expand...

I feel like I am misunderstanding. $3,000 to touch up the background of a photo with native plants? If so, that doesn't feel like an affordable alternative. But I might be misunderstanding or don't realize the quality of work.
 
Muntjacer23 said:
Hi all!

I’ve got my first African hunt coming up in a couple of weeks, for which my primary target will be a Cape Buffalo.

My plan is to get the skull euro mounted.
But I was just wondering if anybody has any other recommendations for remembering the hunt?
I was thinking a nice framed photo or canvas. But can anybody recommend any unique or special ways they’ve commemorated their hunt?
Click to expand...

I’d rather put taxidermy money into my next hunt! My alternate hunt mementos include:

Photographs the I took with my cell phone while on the hunt, and afterward my Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera.

1772454890560.jpeg


1772454926289.jpeg


1772457543097.jpeg


1772457560365.jpeg


I also hired Vaughan Vosloo of Untamed Knife Company to make a hunt video,

Finally, I ordered the Untamed Knife Jumbo knife,
https://untamedknives.com/product/the-jumbo/
I had Untamed engrave this knife as a remembrance of our hunt. This will be mounted on the wall with other hunt mementos.

1772454827563.jpeg
 
Mark A Ouellette said:
I’d rather put taxidermy money into my next hunt! My alternate hunt mementos include:

Photographs the I took with my cell phone while on the hunt, and afterward my Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera.

View attachment 749939

View attachment 749940

View attachment 749943

View attachment 749944

I also hired Vaughan Vosloo of Untamed Knife Company to make a hunt video,

Finally, I ordered the Untamed Knife Jumbo knife,
https://untamedknives.com/product/the-jumbo/
I had Untamed engrave this knife as a remembrance of our hunt. This will be mounted on the wall with other hunt mementos.

View attachment 749938
Click to expand...
Lots of brilliant ideas! Thank you for sharing!
 
Have your taxidermist tip the nose up 30° on your buffalo. If the skull is mounted flat to the wall, the presentation doesn't do the trophy justice. Looks more like something that should be harnessed to a plow.
20220227_173739.jpg
20220226_181621.jpg
 
I build photo journals through Shutterfly of all my and our adventures. They tend to be half narrative and half photolog. I am confident no heir will give a whit about dead animals, but grandchildren will likely find these rather interesting.
Safari Coffee Table Journals

Hunting Photo Journals


I personally do not care for the tilted skull look on a Euro which seems to be an North American thing. I like to mount the skull traditionally, and use a very African looking mounting board.
buf euro.jpeg


buf euro2.jpeg
 
Last edited:
One other thing. During boiling, even a very old bull can lose part of the softer boss material between the horns. It is not important to me, but a taxidermist can restore that missing material. For instance, these are the same two bulls.

buf sa.jpg

buf euro2.jpeg
 
Red Leg said:
I build photo journals through Shutterfly of all my and our adventures. They tend to be half narrative and half photolog. I am confident no heir will give a whit about dead animals, but grandchildren will likely find these rather interesting.
Safari Coffee Table Journals

Hunting Photo Journals


I personally do not care for the tilted skull look on a Euro which seems to be an North American thing. I like to mount the skull traditionally, and use a very African looking mounting board.
View attachment 749984

View attachment 749985
Click to expand...
Looks great! I also love the framed canvases next to the mounts! Do you find frames canvases look better than framed photos?
 
I have a jar in my office full of cartridge cases from *most* of the animals I've harvested. I use a Sharpie and write the species (and pertinent measurement, if applicable), location, month/year, and range. Then I let it dry and lightly coat with clear nail polish. I've also dropped a couple turkey spurs and some elk ivories in there. It's fun to dump them out on the floor and read through them from time to time.

I also like having well-done framed photographs.
 
Muntjacer23 said:
Looks great! I also love the framed canvases next to the mounts! Do you find frames canvases look better than framed photos?
Click to expand...
Much better, but that is purely a personal taste issue.
 
Mark A Ouellette said:
I’d rather put taxidermy money into my next hunt! My alternate hunt mementos include:

Photographs the I took with my cell phone while on the hunt, and afterward my Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera.

View attachment 749939

View attachment 749940

View attachment 749943

View attachment 749944

I also hired Vaughan Vosloo of Untamed Knife Company to make a hunt video,

Finally, I ordered the Untamed Knife Jumbo knife,
https://untamedknives.com/product/the-jumbo/
I had Untamed engrave this knife as a remembrance of our hunt. This will be mounted on the wall with other hunt mementos.

View attachment 749938
Click to expand...
Mark, I really enjoyed that video you made! Also the pic of the double rifle atop the elephant's foot.
Another question, please. Are those "wrap-around" style sunglasses and if so, did they keep the Mopani bees off your eyes?
 
Red Leg said:
One other thing. During boiling, even a very old bull can lose part of the softer boss material between the horns. It is not important to me, but a taxidermist can restore that missing material. For instance, these are the same two bulls.

View attachment 749994
View attachment 749995
Click to expand...
Wowser, it doesn't seem fair, since it appeared to be an old enough, hard-bossed bull!
Really like those Shutterfly books, for sure. (and that great framed poster, and your room, and....)
 
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