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Is there any chance that these mounts are of these buffalos? First mount photo measures 33", second, 37 1/2. First buff measured 39", second 39 1/2 in the field. Mounts   In the field   Dave "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." -Thomas Paine, "American Crisis" | ||
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The top mount's horns look a litle bit like the bottom buff on the ground, but they seem much smaller. The bottom mount doesn't look anything like either of the two buff on the ground. Were these supposed to be the same? They sure don't look it. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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From 39" to 33"? Not in a million years...well, maybe a million years. That's ridiculous. The trophy photos look awesome but the taxidermy photos look cartoonish to me and they are not the same critters. _______________________________  | |||
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Neither mount is neither of the buffalo on the ground! Both of the mounts are much smaller buffalo, than the ones on the ground, and horn configuration is intirely different, IMO!  Addtionally the mounts are not very well done, either!  ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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Did they pull a switcho-change-o on you? Used to be 475Guy add about 2000 more posts | |||
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I agree with Mac. | |||
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Absolutely right! And a very badly done job too! | |||
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The top mount looks funny. Its the kind of facial expression one buffalo would probably make if he was shot up the tail pipe with a 4 bore... Imagine your facial expression when you get a rectal exam! Sorry...  | |||
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I received the trophy shipment a little over a week ago and after unpacking them came down with tonsillitis - so, I really haven't paid much attention to them......until yesterday, when the excitement of getting them had worn off and I was getting ready to hang them. I woke up at 3:30 this morning realizing that those were not the buff's I'd shot. I don't mind admitting, as I sit here typing this I feel like I might throw up.  Dave "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." -Thomas Paine, "American Crisis" | |||
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Ooo...I was hoping it was more of a hypothetical situation. Very sorry about this. Clearly you have some calls to make. Keep us posted? The bulls you shot were beautiful. _______________________________ | |||
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No way they are the same animals. | |||
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Thank you. No, unfortunately, it isn't hypothetical. I have sent a letter to the safari operator with photo's (including one with a measuring tape). Obviously, I'll never see the animals I shot. Also, I have to say the mounts really don't look as bad as the photo's.......except they're not mine. "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." -Thomas Paine, "American Crisis" | |||
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Pardon my bad sense of humor almostacowbow. I do feel sorry for you and hope you shed some light on what went on here!!! Maurice | |||
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I don't blame you. I'd feel exactly the same way. I cannot believe how careless and thoughtless the safari companies, trophy handling companies and taxidermists in Africa can be in dealing with this part of a safari. Every one of my hunts in Africa (ie. all three) have been tarnished to some degree by one or all of those parties in dealing with my trophies. I find it unfathomable how this could happen so often. One can only assume that once they have your money for the hunt they really don't give a crap anymore. I don't want to put words in your mouth or thoughts in your head, but just looking at someone else's buffalo in my house (that should have been mine) would bug me to no end. Every time I looked at them would give me that sick feeling and pretty much ruin the positive memories of the hunt. To avoid that I'd have to burn them, or with a saner mind  , sell them. Given that its possible that I may never be able to afford another cape buff hunt, that would be a devastating loss to me.I feel for you almostacowboy. That really bites and it is absolutely inexcusable IMHO. Please feel free to name the careless jerks that did this to you so we can all hopefully avoid their services in the future. Best regards, Canuck | |||
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Damn, that sucks, dude. I'd be wearing off the ears of the safari guy and the dipping guy and the guy who packed it up and whoever else is within range. That's a damn shame. Used to be 475Guy add about 2000 more posts | |||
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There isn't a CHANCE those are the same buffalo. Sir you got SCREWED!!! I had exactly the same thing happen a few years ago with my first ever bow kill which was a nice 49" kudu. I got a nice "deal" on taxidermy from Trans Karoo Taxidermy in Graff Reinett South Africa. They sent me back some bullshit little 31" baby kudu. I also shot a nice zebra stallion with my bow on that trip. Frank didn't ever remember getting the hide from that. It just disappeared. Here is the fun part. They are in Africa you are in America GOOD LUCK getting any satisfaction out of these SOB's. NEVER NEVER NEVER have taxidermy done in Africa. I had a friend who had a nice 39" Sable on the ground she got back a red coated baby with tiny little horns. My ordeal was a bit different than yours mine was a problem with the taxidermist I know for a fat that he got the right heads. Who was your safari operator? I would avoid them at ALL costs in the future. And I'd be demanding a refund from your taxidermist as well. Those mounts are very poorly done on top of it all. Sorry Cowboy but I'm afraid you are up a creek without a paddle. I would immediately demand your trophy fees and shipping fees back from the safari operator. I would also want a refund from the taxidermist. Those are two of the worst buffalo shoulder mounts I've ever seen. Please post the name of the safari outfit. | |||
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"I received the trophy shipment a little over a week ago and after unpacking them came down with tonsillitis - so, I really haven't paid much attention to them......until yesterday, when the excitement of getting them had worn off and I was getting ready to hang them. I woke up at 3:30 this morning realizing that those were not the buff's I'd shot." I'd say it's rather early to lose heart, Dave. You really haven't had time to investigate, have you? Perhaps the taxidermists shipped the wrong pair to the wrong client or there may be two other clients out there with your buffalo OR your buffalo are still in the shop! All sorts of possibilities remain .. don't you think? Let us know how things develope and in the meantime, we'll all keep our fingers crossed for you. - Nick | |||
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Surestrike, Karoo lost my trophies for 6 months, after I threatened to alert every african bound hunter they miracously reappeared. JOIN SCI! | |||
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Actually on our safari in RSA we had Life-Form do the taxidermy and it was first rate. Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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They can send you the wrong trophies with dip and pack also. | |||
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The mounts were done here in the States and all hope rests with them, now. I can only hope they did, in fact, mix my trophies with someone else's. But, what I imagine will happen is that the taxidermist will say, "those are the heads we received", and the outfitter will say, "we shipped the right heads to your taxidermist" - mutual fingerpointing. Unfortunately, as Canuck said, I doubt I'll be able to afford another buffalo hunt. But, not even this will ruin, what was for me, the trip of a lifetime; getting two great buffalos and the time spent in the bush. Failing all else, I'll get some life-sized prints made from my photo's (I have hundreds). I promise to name names at the end of this fiasco, positive or negative. Thanks everyone. Dave  "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." -Thomas Paine, "American Crisis" | |||
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I fully agree with MacD37. I don't believe these are the same buffalo! Bull1 | |||
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are these supposed to be shoulder mounts? from what i can see they look like head/neck mounts- i don't see any shoulder on either one and they sure aren't the buffs in the pictures. the pattern of tears/cuts in the ears of those pictured don't match the mounts and neither do the bosses. please post the name of the taxidermist who did this work. Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… | |||
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Some other hunter is looking at his buffalo and thinking, "damn, this thing sure looks bigger then it did when it was on the ground"! I've used RSA taxidermist and can't sing their praises high enough. Excellent work, fast delivery, and yes, I received the same animals I shot. The lesson to be learned is if they are shipped to a local taxidermist, inspect them right then and there prior to any work commencing. If there is a mis shipment, which may be a honest mistake, get it corrected ASAP. I sure hope you can get this straightend out 'cause you shot some great buffalo trophies. I agree with a couple of the guys, the mounts don't look too good to me. Good luck. Swift, Silent, & Friendly | |||
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Roll your dice and take your chances. But if you have a problem with an African taxidermist you are permanently SCREWED! There is no legal recourse. Vemo, I did the same thing I was promised the world and still haven't received shit. | |||
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Dude, I hope you can sort it out within a reasonable amount of time. I seriously doubt that it was a mistake on "their" part. Used to be 475Guy add about 2000 more posts | |||
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 someone said cartoonish? sure don't look the same. hope you can get back your trophies. | |||
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I agree with the concensus: the mounts are not the same Buffalo as in the original pics. It would be no problem to prove this via photographic overlay. LDK Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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They are two great looking old Bulls... Pity about the mounts. | |||
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Very sad situation indeed, hope everything works out. Please keep us posted. Jeff No people in history have ever survived who thought they could protect their freedom by making themselves inoffensive to their enemies. | |||
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Not the same buff. Not even close. I was recently taken advantage of by a supposedly reputable taxidermist, however, I got the original hide back and was able to get the mount done correctly. What you experienced is why I only use taxidermists that I can get my hands on. | |||
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that has to be about the worst job of mounting I've seen. I think if i were in your shoes i'd be more than a little hot. no way that those are the same buff. | |||
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Not even close. All one has to do to prove they are not the same buffalo is to look at the ridge and groove patterns on the horns. Quite different and you don't even have to look close. | |||
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Gents their are some outstanding taxidermists in South Africa - please dont let one bad experience with one company let everyone get tarred with the same brush. It sounds like these were mounted outside of Africa and it could have been a problem with a number of links in the chain. A reputable outfitter will have a good relationship with a reputable taxidermist and will assist you in getting the trophies shipped correctly etc. I sincerely hope that you get your original trophies, they are fantastic specimens with a lot of character. Looks like they come from TZ? | |||
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Its a sad sad sad shame... I'd want to fly back just to make a new trophy of their scalp. Its good that you post it so others wont use them. 577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375 *we band of 45-70ers* (Founder) Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder) | |||
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Not even close...I would pursue it. I would also show the photos to the taxidermist and contact the the local PH Hunting association. Mike Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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