update on processing elephant skin panels on the US side...

[Green Chile]

As far as I know (after researching and talking to taxidermists), there is one facility in the US that will process elephant skin panels and ears; Yost Fur Dressing. I just talked to them and they charge $36/sq foot and are quoting 18+ months turnaround. The result is leather thinned down and suitable for boots, etc. The offer 3 colors...grey/natural, chocolate brown or black for the same cost. I have 6 panels and 2 ears but will be trying it with one panel and 2 ears to see what the results are like. No, I didn't want all 6 panels but that's what was shipped to me. Each of these salted panels weigh 60-70 pounds.

What I need to find now are US artists that can paint the elephant ears. Any ideas on that? This was all supposed to happen in Africa but here we are.

 

[Hedge774]

I'm unfamiliar with painting elephant ears. Do artists use them like a canvas?

 

[Scott CWO]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Green Chile]

Yes, they are used as a canvas after being tanned. Also, they are famously the shape of Africa.

 

[Russ16]

How many square feet in a panel? How many pairs of boots or similar do you expect to get out of a panel?

 

[Hedge774]

Yes, they are used as a canvas after being tanned. Also, they are famously the shape of Africa.

View attachment 752238

Ah! Beautiful!!

 

[NoStepOnSnek]

Ryan Kirby is a wildlife artist who has done Outdoor Life covers and a few ammo boxes for Winchester. I don’t know if he does custom work, but he’s the guy I’d try to contact

 

[Hedge774]

Heck. I'll do it. Send em over. Be ready by Saturday...

 

[Throwback]

Watching with interest as I am to receive my ears that are still in Africa and will want someone to paint them most likely. A map of Africa would be ideal.

I had the panels tanned in Namibia and then they turned them into pistol cases and a few overnight bags, all done there. Same thing, various colors available. I got half gray and half brown.

The pricing you quoted for tanning per sq foot is not much more than I paid FWIW. I had 265 square feet ($$), but I figure I may never get another elephant.

Cheers

 

[Green Chile]

Was that 6 panels to get 265 sq ft? Roughly $10k in tanning.

 

[Throwback]

Not sure on amount of panels. Just 265 sq feet x 32USD a sq = 8480. They are going to give me a discount (not sure how much) at time of payment which is getting close. They volunteered the discount as I had agreed on 32USD a sq when I visited them in Namibia. They have been very good about updating me. My whole order also includes:
- 4 Barstools w skin seat cover
- Bleached Skull (not lower jar) with Namibia carving
- Tail
- Ears
- Tusks on floor mounts with skin panels

This will add up to more than my hunt but I cannot complain (problem bull ele, last minute deal, story posted here last year).

Id send through pics of the pistol cases (8 of them) but I only have a video and AH upload did not like it. I plan to give away to friends, save a few. They are almost done with all this stuff, just need to check on my permit.

Any skin left I will get, I know there is some but also being used on those bar stool seat covers and tusk floor mounts. Cheers

 

[farmer_john]

Following

 

[bakerb]

Also following

 

[Spartan5]

Following

 

[WISafariHunter]

Following……

About 18 months ago I paid $15/ sq foot for tanning in Zim. Did two different colors. Got ears tanned “natural” and sent them back stateside. Was uncertain on what to do with ears so similarly they are sitting on shelf. Maybe you’ll inspire a plan to turn them into something.

 

[Green Chile]

That's what I was hoping to pay in Zim but they shipped all of it. Not only was my order wrong by 6x too many panels but I paid recent high shipping rates for 6 panels! Ugh.

 

[Rare Breed]

I'm unfamiliar with painting elephant ears. Do artists use them like a canvas?

Yes. In two weeks I get my tusks and ear with a painted picture of Africa on it

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I have heard horror stories on tanning in africa...bad colors, etc. Others?

 

[farmer_john]

How many lbs of skin/sq feets on the avg elephant?

 

[Green Chile]

My 6 panels and 2 ears were around 500 lbs dried/salted. That did not include any legs/feet/trunk/head...just body panels and ears.