Well after 50 weeks my Nyala and Bush buck finally arrived. I have three questions: what is considered a respectable Nyala? Mine measures 26 3/8 and 26 1/2. My other question are to those who have had their Nyala mounted how many had a life size and how many a shoulder mount? Those who had a shoulder mount do you wish you had done a life size? I had mine skinned for life size, but that extra money could go towards a Tanzania hunt.

KINO - My recollection is that anything over 26-27" is very good, and 30"+ the Holy Grail. But who cares, yours is a dandy, and what is most attractive about the Nyala is their coat and distinctive coloring and markings. I had mine done as a full-mount (only full-mount antelope I have), only regret is that I didn't pick a more dynamic pose. If you do a shoulder, consider a pedestal, but these guys look great when full-mounted.

I wish I had done mine in a full mount. The shoulder mount just doesn't do them justice.

Regards,

Terry

Just like many of the other spiral horned antelope (kudu spring to mind), it is actually not that easy to tell the exact size of a set of Nyala horns. Length is often associated with attributes of the horns, which are less important from a the point of view of good looks - e.g. a deep bell. For that reason, I find the shape of the horns more important than the absolute length. So if you like the shape of your horns, have at it.

The Nyala is one of the prettiest antelopes, and makes for one the most striking mounts in all of Africa. I sadly don't have room for any full mounts, so if I have mounts done at all, they are either shoulder mounts or skull mounts. But due to ist striking coat, the Nyala is really one of those animals that might beneft from a full (or at least a pedestal) mount - if you have the room for it. Cost is another issue, and I can fully understand your reluctance to forge out the value of a good trophy fee on your next hunt for a mount. Decisions, decisions...
- mike

My son took a large one (PH said it was a good one)and my wife insisted on a life size for the dining room. Go figure. She liked the orange legs and mane.

Thanks for the imput. If any have some photos of life size mounts they would be willing to post, I'd appreciate the ideas.

I was told anything over 25" was pretty good. I had two done with shoulder mounts but also had the backskins made into throws which look very nice over the back of a sofa or such.

I believe that 26 is minimum for book, but I'm not sure cause I don't even own a book. In any case you have an excellent example of what may well be africas most beautiful antelope. I did mine lifesize and have always been glad I did.

If by "the book", you mean Rowland Ward, then the minimum length (measured on front curve) is 27".
- mike

I did a shoulder mount and made throw pillows from the backskin. Haven't talked the wife into any full mounts yet

BT,

I'm sure a nice mink coat this year might go a long way to promote your side of the issue. .

Please tell your wife hello from Lisa and I.

-Steve

I don't have a nyala myself, but they are by far one of my favorite trophy animals. I would say go for the life-size mount. I have seen mounts done both ways, the shoulder mount, as said before, does them no justice. Their is so much more to a Nyala than a set of horns. There is the orange legs and it stripped coat as well as the hair that hangs down by it's legs. Everytime I see a shoulder mount, it lacks the beauty that the Nyala poses. They are not that big of an antelope if you ask me, they always seem to get lost up in the collection of mounts. All the Nyala shoulder mounts I've seen have been in some big trophy room and It took me a minute to actualy figure out what it was. They just look different, to me, when they are shoulder mounted. (No offense to those that have shoulder mounts, this is just my opinion). If cost is an issue because you want to save for Tanzania (I don't blame you either), why not get a half-size mount. Have it standing like you would a full size, and make a "J" shape in the back if you were looking at it from the top. The hide should go back most of the way and if you put some tall reeds behind it, it will look almost like a full mount, but should be a few bucks less. Here is an example of a full mount: http://julianandsons.com/album/trophyrooms/146.jpg and here is a sort of example of the half life size. Just imagine the amrco polo sheep being the nyala and having the form go back just a bit more. http://julianandsons.com/album/residential/164.jpg I got those from here: http://julianandsons.com/index.htm You might be able to find some other good ideas there.

Nyala do deserve a life size mount if you can afford it, or have the room for it. They are about the prettiest antelope going.

Here's a pic of a beauty of a ram that I took at the Ace Taxidermy shop in Warmbaths, RSA. Don't know the measurements, but its a dandy...



Cheers,
Canuck

Hey Canuck!!

That one would have made a gorgeous life size mount!!!!!!

Here is a FULL NYALA mount courtesy of our good friend, AR guest JD from ND ....



Regards, Peter