I had posted this question before, but I don't think I made myself clear. I shot two magnificent impala rams with Unico Safaris in early June. I want to have a pedestal mount made with both rams squaring as if ready to fight. My question is what kind of aggressive body language do impala display when they are ready to get it in? I am curious about ear position, neck arching, or any other type of visual display that impala use to show they are big and bad. If anyone has photos that I can show my taxidermist, please post them for all of us to enjoy. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Only God knows how much I want to go back to Africa. Jerry Hoover

Jerry,

You might like to get your hands on "The Safari Companion" by Richard D Estes. ISDN 0-9583223-3-3. It's a guide to watching animal behaviour and details body language etc. -

However, (if you don't mind me saying so) if your taxidermist doesn't know how to pose them correctly then I would suggest you might like to consider finding another taxidermist. A good one wouldn't need telling how they should be set up.

Jerry, signs of agression are similar to deer. Ears back, eyes alert and focused on opponent with a slight turn of the neck, head cocked down if fighting. I could be missing something but I am not sure if there is much else to it.

Thanks for all the prompt replies. I have not yet discussed this with my taxidermist as I have only been to Africa once. I thought it would be similar to whitetail deer, but I was not sure. I know that eye contact and posturing are signs of aggression, but I was not sure of some of the more subtle details. My taxidermist has done many African animals and probably he knows more than I will ever know.My trophies came in on Friday and I want it all to be a reflection of the best time of my life. If anyone has any more suggestions or ideas, I would welcome your response. Thanks so much, Jerry Hoover