My son and I are going to the limpopo valley on a plains game hunt this june. While we don't have an aversion to shooting zebras, we would like to perhaps bring back an extra zebra rug or two for friends. Anybody bought zebra rugs in the RSA?
Hunting the pajama donkey is a blast! Don's miss out! My taxidermist in RSA had several for sale but I cannot remember the price. One of the vendors at the DSC Convention was offering them for $1,000-$1,500 as I recall.
They are easy to find....they even sell them at the airport. I think they cost around 1500 to 2000 US. You can bring them back with you on the plane.
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Posts: 2122 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 03 June 2000
I agree with the posts: rugs are easy to find and purchase. Having said that, you would find hunting your own to be exciting, and the rug would mean more to you, if you are wanting one for yourself. Otherwise, if for friends, then purchase one or two for them.
At $1,500 a pop, you can nearly shoot one yourself and have it tanned for the same price. As I recall I paid a $650 trophy fee and $400 (US$ in Namibia) to have a rug made in 2004. If you're shipping other trophies anyway, just shoot an extra and ship it along. Seems like a good way to get your friends to pay for you to hunt another critter! If they're not paying, at least this way you get the satisfaction of hunting the critter that will be on their floor instead of just shelling out the cash for one.
_____________________ A successful man is one who earns more money than his wife can spend.
Posts: 3301 | Location: Southern NM USA | Registered: 01 October 2002
Just a few years ago you could find and buy the skins in RSA for several hundred dollars cheaper than what you would pay in the US. I think the folks over there have realized what they sell for over here and now the prices are about the same.
I agree that shooting one is more fun than buying one but you may want to check on Ebay as they are frequently posted there.
It is nearly always cheaper these days, and is definitely always more fun, to shoot your own zebra and pay the trophy fees and taxidermy charges for the rug.
I have never paid more than $1,000 (combined trophy fee and taxidermy cost) for any of my several zebra rugs, even for the pricier Hartmann's. I shot my latest zebra in 2005.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
Posts: 13699 | Location: New England | Registered: 06 June 2003
Shoot them and have them tanned in SA. It's cheeper and they are able to use chemicals that we are not. The skin will have a nice white color to the tanned side.
Posts: 61 | Location: OH | Registered: 16 January 2007
Originally posted by Rhydet: Shoot them and have them tanned in SA. It's cheeper and they are able to use chemicals that we are not. The skin will have a nice white color to the tanned side.
I agree. For what they want for good hides or finished rugs, shoot an add'l. one & have it done there. I didn't really like the look of a complete hide rug so had my zebra pedestal mounted w/ a back skin half rug. Fits nicely in my living room in front of the couch.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
I was in Sandton at Rowland Ward's last October. Zebra rug was $2,500 US. I did not see any for sale in Zimbabwe.
I agree that hunting zebra is fun and challenging. In fact, I worked harder on getting a zebra than any other animal and didn't take one until after the ninth stalk. They always got spooked by kudu, impala, baboons, whatever. And agree about their toughness; it's an under rated trophy and really a beautiful hide. The stallion was the only animal I used two shots on besides the Cape buffalo. Funny thing is the biggest animal of them all, the eland, was the one that went down the quickest.
Posts: 17 | Location: North Florida | Registered: 15 April 2005
I was in Limpopo in 2004 and paid $800 trophy fee and $316 for the tanning and a black felt backer. It made a beautiful rug and means a lot more to me than the $2000 rug in Jo'berg airport. Along with the rest of the posters, I would encourage you to shoot your own and have it done in RSA. It does mean more to you than just buying one.
"I ask, sir, what is the Militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them" - George Mason, co-author of the Second Amendment during the Virginia convention to ratify the Constitution
Posts: 1699 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 14 April 2004
Can I pop in with a quick question about skins ? I have two skins made now in RSA. One blue wildebeest and one gemsbok. There is no felt backing, just plain skins. Are those ok to be used as rugs on the floor, or are the hairs to tender and will fall off after a while ?
Elliesbear... the zebra was one of my main targets last time in RSA, but I didn´t get one, perhaps next trip in 2008 And I agree with .336 torque, ... a zebra rug in front of the fireplase is a must
Arild Iversen.
Posts: 1880 | Location: Southern Coast of Norway. | Registered: 02 June 2000
Check with Kwiktan in JoBurg. They have an outlet in Florida and ship several times a year. Last time I looked they ran between $1200 to $2000, depending on size and grade.
Posts: 594 | Location: Plano Texas | Registered: 15 July 2002
