Reproduction tusks

[JGH]

So, tell me about reproduction tusks for non-exportable elephant hunts.

 

[K-man]

Many different paths. The most common is for your actual tusks to go to a taxidermist in the country you hunted, they make molds and cast replicas to match. Even down to the staining and chips, etc. There may be replicas available from taxidermy suppliers here that come close to your measurements but may not be exact. I have a set of tusks from a cow elephant we had to shoot and my P.H. had a set of replicas made and delivered to me as a surprise gift. Hard to tell the difference on the wall.

 

[Rare Breed]

So, tell me about reproduction tusks for non-exportable elephant hunts.

Collets is very good with either the feather light option or they use wood for your exact tusk weight both options made from your pictures and tusk dimension you give them

 

[CarsonG]

Collets is very good with either the feather light option or they use wood for your exact tusk weight both options made from your pictures and tusk dimension you give them

How realistic are they? Are both options visually spot on?

 

[Sarg]

Some of these reproductions are incredible, even to the touch, it is only when you pick them up that’s it’s obviously not your Ivory !

Actually full reproductions of Elephant - Rhinos - Both Species - Hippo & Walrus are truly amazing if done by quality shops, a couple of South African studios do great jobs of them & internationally a few do amazing life like Lions & Bears.

I have posted a few before, just amazing.

We had an Elephant shoulder mount done for our lodge, even up close it was hard to tell it wasn't real !

 

[coreydb]

Splitting Image Taxidermy in RSA can do them and they are true artisans.

 

[mark-hunter]

How realistic are they? Are both options visually spot on?

I have seen them first time at my PH house.
They were from PAC elephant.

At first, I thought they were real. I could not help myself and tried tried to touch them.
They were too light. So, PH explained the details.

During my initial planning, I searched here same as you, here is the thread:

Thread 'Elephant tusks, replicas?'

May 8, 2025

I am at early stages of elephant hunt planning.

One of the considerations is to have replica tusks, in case of import problems or in case I go for non exportable elephant.

If anybody had experience with replica elephant tusks, the questions are following:

- what is the price to be expected of replicas, or the range of price?
- do they make them on the mold based on actual tusks, or they have standard size molds?
- how does end product look like? Pls post some pictures?
- are you happy with that type of trophy?
- other details from your experience? Pros, cons?

• mark-hunter
• Replies: 31
• Forum: Taxidermy

• 

 

[CarsonG]

I have seen them first time at my PH house.
They were from PAC elephant.

At first, I thought they were real. I could not help myself and tried tried to touch them.
They were too light. So, PH explained the details.

During my initial planning, I searched here same as you, here is the thread:

Thread 'Elephant tusks, replicas?'

May 8, 2025

I am at early stages of elephant hunt planning.

One of the considerations is to have replica tusks, in case of import problems or in case I go for non exportable elephant.

If anybody had experience with replica elephant tusks, the questions are following:

- what is the price to be expected of replicas, or the range of price?
- do they make them on the mold based on actual tusks, or they have standard size molds?
- how does end product look like? Pls post some pictures?
- are you happy with that type of trophy?
- other details from your experience? Pros, cons?

• mark-hunter
• Replies: 31
• Forum: Taxidermy

• 

Thank you Mark!

 

[ActionBob]

So, tell me about reproduction tusks for non-exportable elephant hunts.

I've discussed mine several times and placed. Pics posted including details.

To summit. Very reasonable cost and great quality. TCI in Bulawayo did them.

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

I had a set made by TCI in Bulawayo from my 2023 bull. The detail is excellent when comparing them to my photos. One thing I was mildly upset about was I wanted to maintain a defect on the tusk near the base that was presumably caused by small caliber bullet. They did a great job copying the Zim stamp on the tusks that ZimParks puts on all ivory. All in all, very satisfied and a very nice option.

 

[BJH65]

This is my experience so far regarding non exportable elephant taken in SA Greater Kruger and my desire to have reproduction tusks made. I contacted Life-Form Taxidermy and will have reproduction tusks made from my Greater Kruger bull. They will also be doing a European skull mount for a buffalo.

The tusks cannot be removed from storage to make molds so Life-Form will require exact measurements and photographs to recreate the tusks. The cost is $950 USD.

• Replica tusks are made from Fibreglass and Polyeurethane Filler which are highly sustainable materials, resisting deterioration and fading to ensure your tusks remain vibrant and intact for years to come.

There are some taxidermy suppliers in the U.S. that offer excellent reproduction elephant tusks in various sizes but my bull had a broken right tusk and I would need a taxidermist to recreate that.

 

[Rare Breed]

Question please, does TCI provide the option of doing the tusks matching the actual weight as well like Collets? What was the weight time please from TCI getting your pictures to them arriving at your home please?
Thanks!!!

 

[Ryan]

There was a set of repros in a gun shop here in Anchorage for years that looked pretty dern good.

 

[Scott CWO]

From Debbie Peake’s shop in Botswana. Replicas and real tusks look very similar.

 

[Huntforever]

This is my experience so far regarding non exportable elephant taken in SA Greater Kruger and my desire to have reproduction tusks made. I contacted Life-Form Taxidermy and will have reproduction tusks made from my Greater Kruger bull. They will also be doing a European skull mount for a buffalo.

The tusks cannot be removed from storage to make molds so Life-Form will require exact measurements and photographs to recreate the tusks. The cost is $950 USD.

• Replica tusks are made from Fibreglass and Polyeurethane Filler which are highly sustainable materials, resisting deterioration and fading to ensure your tusks remain vibrant and intact for years to come.

There are some taxidermy suppliers in the U.S. that offer excellent reproduction elephant tusks in various sizes but my bull had a broken right tusk and I would need a taxidermist to recreate that.

There are some taxidermy suppliers in the U.S. that offer excellent reproduction elephant tusks. Who would that be in the States ?

 

[BJH65]

There are some taxidermy suppliers in the U.S. that offer excellent reproduction elephant tusks. Who would that be in the States ?

I believe Kanati Taxidermy makes custom reproduction elephant tusks based on photos and measurements. In hindsight I probably should have went with them just to keep it simpler, easier and probably less $ than having them made in SA.

The following taxidermy supply companies have various sized reproduction elephant tusks. I’ve researched a little and read positive things but I didn’t see any that would look similar to mine without modification. I think these would be the lowest cost anyways.

Elephant Tusk Reproductions

Elephant tusks are finely detailed reproductions. Stained and Ready to use.

www.mckenzietaxidermy.com

Reproduction Elephant Tusks and Holders

Van Dyke's Taxidermy offers realistic looking reproduciton Elephant tusks and holders.

www.vandykestaxidermy.com

 

[JPbowhunter]

@R eight are you doing this with your bull?

 

[Huntforever]

i head on my elephant hunt in Oct but i thought about having the original tusk done on pedestals and have replicas placed in the original skull

 

[R eight]

@R eight are you doing this with your bull?

No mate. I’m planning on a return hunt…. photos only for me

 

[grand veneur]

For me, a plastic replica is no a substitute for the original. It is very important to me to maintain a connection to the game I shot, which is why I need something authentic. I would rather forgo the trophy, as I did with the elephant I shot a few months ago.