Hunt Africa, no room for trophies. Advice please

Thank you all for the input. I have an antique large oak rocking chair that was originally cowhide covered seat/back. It was in disrepair 50 years ago when my folks found it, and was cheaply recovered in 'fake leather'. I think it would be great to get a hide tanned into leather and have it recovered as a continueing heirloom with that leather.

Thanks for all the support and ideas,
AJ

One could consider cull hunts. Small things to bring back would be warthog tusks, porcupine quills or do a swap with a taxidermist for treated tails or flat skins. Have done that and no problems through D.C. or Atlanta. Also, for a change of pace, find a venue that does multiple night hunts for varmints and other non trophy critters.

JimP said:

I had video of my first hunt including a day hunting with cheetahs where we followed a pair as they actually hunted for food. They ended up taking down two springbok's, all on the video.

I haven't looked at the videos in 10 years.

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I have 3 of my safaris on video. I may look at them once a year at most. I also have 4 full picture books that I will look at once every 4-6 weeks but I’ll sit in my trophy room daily.

"Hunt Africa, no room for trophies. Advice please"​

I do a printed coffee table book for every hunt but I also taxidermy everything. It is a sickness. I am also 62 and have over 50 mounts and no room left. And I have 10 full body mounts completed soon from a night hunt ($17,800 due) and an ibex and roe deer from Spain being shipped. I am headed to Namibia in September, so I am struggling with the same question.

I will continue to do the printed coffee table book, but I will probably do euro mounts this time except for a Mountain Zebra (rug). You could do just the photo book. I record my whole trip in the book including photos of animals not taken, sunsets, sunrises, camp pictures, dinners, excursions, action shots, etc.

I am a Euro skull due and have tight space but you can do what makes you happy.

I brought back 5 skulls but I also had a video made, currently on my private youtube channel that I watch semi regularly to enjoy the memories, I had a zebra rug made and have a lot of floor space, also had a gun bag made from my Buffo hide and sent out a couple of pieces to get made into watch bands.

The trophy is what ever you make it.

AJ Peacock said:

The subject says most of it. I've hunted all my life and have taken some nice animals (all DIY). Even my 34+" Muley is just a set of horns stored in the basement.

I've heard of non-traditional taxidermy (like just skull mounts, hides etc.). I have no particular 'dream' animals beyond Leapord and that is likely out of my price range (at least for now).

So, I'm open to advice on what type of hunt/animals/package you experienced Africa hunters might recommend.

I have a rifle battery that is up for anything, plenty to choose from (243win, 7mm-08, 7mmRM, 300WSM, 338 Edge, 375H&H), all very accurate (375 yet to be shot, but I have no doubts).

I'm 62 years old, excellent health, can shoot from all field positions and can walk as far as required.

I truly appreciate any input you all can give,
Thanks,
AJ

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I just mounted my first Cape buffalo head and retained the hides of my first lion & first zebra. And the tusks of my first elephant. I’ve just been keeping photographs of all my other hunts.

My white hunter Joseph Cheffings told me in Kenya in 1974 “To a true sportsman, the hunt IS the greatest trophy”.

AJ, welcome to the forum. Looking forward to seeing you at the next Michigan AH get together.

The best bang for the buck Africa hunt can sometimes be had at the Local or National SCI and DSC auctions. IF you do your homework and look for long standing legit members. And bid on 7 -10 day hunts only. That may include money towards trophy fees or a couple animals. Don’t fall for the No 5 day hunts. No package deals. Buy only Ala cart deals. These will be in SA or Namibia.

And you are not forced to mount anything.

AJ Peacock said:

The subject says most of it. I've hunted all my life and have taken some nice animals (all DIY). Even my 34+" Muley is just a set of horns stored in the basement.

I've heard of non-traditional taxidermy (like just skull mounts, hides etc.). I have no particular 'dream' animals beyond Leapord and that is likely out of my price range (at least for now).

So, I'm open to advice on what type of hunt/animals/package you experienced Africa hunters might recommend.

I have a rifle battery that is up for anything, plenty to choose from (243win, 7mm-08, 7mmRM, 300WSM, 338 Edge, 375H&H), all very accurate (375 yet to be shot, but I have no doubts).

I'm 62 years old, excellent health, can shoot from all field positions and can walk as far as required.

I truly appreciate any input you all can give,
Thanks,
AJ

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Build or buy a new house?

Hunter-Habib said:

My white hunter Joseph Cheffings told me in Kenya in 1974 “To a true sportsman, the hunt IS the greatest trophy”.

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100% agree, and the memories of hunting partners are such a huge part of the 'hunt'.

Thanks,
AJ

AJ Peacock said:

The subject says most of it. I've hunted all my life and have taken some nice animals (all DIY). Even my 34+" Muley is just a set of horns stored in the basement.

I've heard of non-traditional taxidermy (like just skull mounts, hides etc.). I have no particular 'dream' animals beyond Leapord and that is likely out of my price range (at least for now).

So, I'm open to advice on what type of hunt/animals/package you experienced Africa hunters might recommend.

I have a rifle battery that is up for anything, plenty to choose from (243win, 7mm-08, 7mmRM, 300WSM, 338 Edge, 375H&H), all very accurate (375 yet to be shot, but I have no doubts).

I'm 62 years old, excellent health, can shoot from all field positions and can walk as far as required.

I truly appreciate any input you all can give,
Thanks,
AJ

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Plan and go on the hunt.
No one says you need to mount anything or everything. Some non traditional “taxidermy” ideas below

Rugs - Zebra, Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, and Giraffe all make great flat skin rugs

Pillows/Furniture - you can use most any hide to make a pillow, cushion, or furniture. Springbok are a common pillow

Bone Handles/Carvings - many hunters have had knife handles or carvings made from bone. Giraffe is a common one people will use and I’ve seen an amazing set of utensils made from Giraffe bone. Warthog tusk bottle openers are another common one

Lamps - I have a lamp made from a kudu horn, but have seen giraffe legs, gemsbok horns, I’d porcupine quill lamp shades

Tail Fly Swatter - seen elephant tails framed, and others turn tails from Gemsbok and other animals into fly swatters.

Euro Mounts - I personally have done this for warthogs, gemsbok, impala, kudu, wildebeest and several other animals. Polished horns can make interesting table centerpiece decorations, or be used similar to sheds. You can also do the European style tusk plaques with warthogs or bushpig.

Leather - many have had leather made from their animals. Common ones are Elephant, Hippo, Rhino, Ostrich, etc, but there are companies like Courtney using Cape Buffalo and Kudu leather in their shoes and gaiters

Hunter-Habib said:

My white hunter Joseph Cheffings told me in Kenya in 1974 “To a true sportsman, the hunt IS the greatest trophy”.

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But for some of us, (old people) we need something to jog the memory.

As a leather worker, and very little room, I only had euro mounts and the skins tanned. Of the euro mounts we did a limited PG hunt and three went to my son's house, only two went inside my house, the third out to my workshop. So now I have the skins to make things from a full rug or belts, bags, vests, hat bands, bracelets, purses, etc. If its got spots or stripes, I can use it, if it doesnt but its from Africa, I can usually find a use for it - with or without the hair on. I almost wished I'd had a couple of them done without hair. Kudu skin, for example, is buttery soft when tanned correctly, as are many of the antelopes.

This is always a struggle with African game is it takes up a lot of wall space, and high ceilings are always helpful. Back skins are always nice keep sakes as are photos. I detest taking photos, but I am always happy that my PH forces me to take dozens of them. You can look into making some furniture out of the trophies i.e. Kudu horns into floor lamps

I stopped having things mounted a few years ago and even thinned out the existing Taxidermy inventory. Kept my Muskox shoulder mount, my American Bison bull, a couple deer, a big old ugly boar and all of my euro mounts. Headed to Klaserie in June with my two sons for Buffalo and PG for each of us. It is my (our) first trip to Africa. I'm having the hunt filmed, planning to take extensive pictures and probably have some hides / skulls done. The Buff is the only possible mount for me and only because of the other bovines. Still undecided though.

Euro mounts have allowed me to keep more than 60 in an apartment.

Nyati said:

Euro mounts have allowed me to keep more than 60 in an apartment.

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That is a LOT, any pics?

AJ

AJ Peacock said:

That is a LOT, any pics?

AJ

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I don´t have pics of them all, but can show you a few, and at least give you an idea as to how much space you save from Euro-mounts.

































And that´s most of them, sorry but I haven´t mastered the lighting for indoor pictures .