A Giraffe......

Any Opinions?

Heading over with Zambezi Hunters for Buffalo in September.

I am mildly entertaining the thought of shooting a giraffe. I DON'T have room for a head mount, but thought the skin is pretty nice looking.

Any Thoughts?

My son shot one at Lemco. It was not as easy as one would think. They do not hide well but getting close is a challenge.

We used the hide for a rug - a very large rug.

First Animal shot on my first safari in Zimbabwe was a magnificent Giraffe. It was down and caught in a snare and the Ph asked me to kill it as they couldn't safely disentangle it. I did as asked. Incidentally I have a friend in Tenn whose trophy room couch and chair and ottoman are covered in Giraffe. The meat was to me quite good. Not the best but right up in the top. It and Zebra really suprised me with their quality.

I have hunted Giraffe 2 different times. I really enjoyed the hunt. They are wary and are tough to get close to.

Here is the bull that I took on my friends farm in South Africa last year. Go for it!


By coachsells at 2011-07-06

I hunted an old "stink" bull in Zim a number of years ago with my 500 Jeffery and it was the best hunt/fun I've had for a while.It was real hard to get close to him of a shot. So dissapointed that when i went to get pictures of the old boy the camera battery was flat!! oh well better do it again one day

If you're going to shoot one, I recommend using your double rifle. I walloped a couple back in the day, and the best results were achieved by using a .470 N.E.

They can take a lot of punch, and the worst thing you want is one writhing like a snake, It's your responsibility to dispatch of it as quickly and cleanly as possible. Use your big boy bullets on it.

For each it's a personal taste. It's just not something I am going to do. Can't really explain why.

Jeff

Same here They are pretty near the bottom of animals I want to hunt Not sure why

If it floats your boat go for it. Personally, I've had several opportunities to shoot one and always passed. Everyone I saw just seemed to be standing there looking at me waiting to be shot. If you want the hide to decorate things in your trophy room that sure would look good. If you want to mount one you better have real high ceilings.

quote:

I have hunted Giraffe 2 different times. I really enjoyed the hunt. They are wary and are tough to get close to.

Here is the bull that I took on my friends farm in South Africa last year. Go for it!

Ed, I see your A-Square in 416 Rigby? Are you still shooting benchrest-like groups with that thing?

I shot an old bull giraffe in Namibia 2 years ago, to provide meat donation to Namibian Defence Forces, per offer of ranch owner, so I couldn't take home hide. (But no trophy fee for me, either). A neck shot (per PH suggestion) w/.375 H&H took it right down, missed spine but hit carotid & jugular, needed 1 finishing shot. They can be mounted with their necks curved to either side, and take up less wall space than one may think; they also make a beautifull full rug or neck rug...

I shot an old stink bull with my bow several years back and the rug is in my living room and everyone who comes to my house has to ask about it,, I went several times before I had the itch for "Mr Long Neck"

I have seen a shoulder mount that sits on the floor and didn't take up alot of space. Maybe seven feet tall. Would look good in a corner and an interesting conversation piece.

I've mounted two of them. They are a real eye catcher. The floor pedistals are about 9' tall, depending on the length of the horns.

I considered shooting a Giraffe a few months ago in Namibia as the Trophy fee was quite reasonable and I wanted something that screamed "NAMIBIA!" Even if you find one at a reasonable cost however, the hide tanning and taxidermy and shipping costs start to really add up and certainly give new meaning to the phrase "a poor man's elephant". Well, I got to shoot something that screamed "Namibia" when I got lucky and shot my Cheetah. Even at twice the cost of a giraffe t-fee, that cat will wind up costing me a WHOLE LOT less in the long run. That said....a Giraffe skin loveseat, chair, and ottoman would be awesome! Ya, I am an enabler...shoot one!

My lovely bride decided to shoot one in June of last year.

She really hadn't talked about it much but the PH had a "special" on a big bull and she couldn't resist.

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Originally posted by Biebs:

quote:

I have hunted Giraffe 2 different times. I really enjoyed the hunt. They are wary and are tough to get close to.

Here is the bull that I took on my friends farm in South Africa last year. Go for it!

Ed, I see your A-Square in 416 Rigby? Are you still shooting benchrest-like groups with that thing?

Yep Biebs thats my Rigby--that gun just shoots lights out, the most accurate big bore I own. Like A-square's or not most of the feed function and are accurate. I just wished it was left handed. The only right handed bolt gun I own that should tell you something.