I used Life-Form on my safari in RSA in 2003. Our first day in Africa was devoted to touring their facility. They did fabulous by me, their mounts are still some of the most lifelike that I have ever seen and their staff and customer service was first rate. When I return to RSA I will not hesitate to use them again. Pm me if you would like some pics of the mounts.

smarterthanyou: "it is completely accurate that the vast majority of the best taxidermists in the world are located in the USA." What proof do you have? that statement is absolute bilge.
Yukon delta: use Lifeform; you will not be sorry. you will get the best taxidermy, excellent service, for half the price of an average US taxidermist who fits in the odd lion between the usual elk and deer.
i know; i have tried them 26 times with uniform satisfaction. the 13 animals I had done by two other taxidermists (both in the US) were far inferior.

quote:

You might as well be arguing that SA has the best Hockey team.

the best rugby team mate

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Rest assured that their cat taxidermy is of the highest quality. Here's a pic of my lion as done by them. Ok jorge, here you go. . . .

Nice mount, specially the face but I think the line on the side of lion is over-accentuation of muscles. From what I have seen it doesn’t look natural to me, it does hilight the point made by Stagman.

Ahmed,

That pic looks like it was taken at the Lifeform studios and when the work was freshly completed. I'm not a taxidermist and perhaps some who are, might comment, but I seem to get an idea that someone once told me that similar lines to that will soften after a short period of time......

Bloody nice Lion huh? - UEG must be rightly very proud!

Howdy guys I'm back. Mr. Indlovu, you just used the wrong US taxidermist and thats all there is to it. I am sorry you did not find satisfaction here. I am not trying to be insulting but your satisfaction might go hand in hand with how much you think you should be paying. After all you brought that up for a reason. As for proof that you want, I stated it before. Look at the world taxidermy championship results every single year and see what nation dominates by a wide margine.

Shakari,

The "softening" of lines you speak of is most likely what taxidermists refer to as "drumming", and it will somewhat lett detail out as the mount is in the drying process. Most credible taxidermists, and I am sure Lifeform included, will not finish an animal until he is completely dry. The mount in the photo looks as if it is completed and ready to ship. This muscle typically only flexes to that extent if you see the animal on his hind legs trying to either drag down a large animal or tearing off a bait and he is twisting his spine heavily. However, this definition of the muscle in question may be heavily accentuated due to where the sunlight is falling on the piece.

Jorge,
That brings up my last point. I would never judge taxidermy off of an amature photo, or any photo for that matter. A photo at best will tell you the difference between good and bad taxidermy. It will not give you the difference between good and exceptional taxidermy. To know that you must see it within a matter of inches and walk all the way around it. I think dogcat made a good point when he said most people don't know the grades of taxidermy when they see them. But they know what looks good to them. I think most people would be very happy with that lion in thier house, but some people desire and search for the very best, and that is when an American company comes in.

I usually don't get involved in these spats, but I tought I would comment this time. Ultimately the only opinion that counts is the customer who writes the check. Make your own decision, check them out look at their work, and if you like them, use them, if you don't then take your business to another taxidermist. It doesn't matter where the work is done.

For the most part, "How Good" a taxidermist is, is just a matter of opinion. Some people think Picasso was a genius and pay millions for his paintings, while others think he was a drunken sycho who scribbled like a first grader and wouldn't give a half a cent for any of them.

There are things wrong with every single mount, I don't care who mounted it. Your the one that's going to have to look at it for the rest of your life, not a group of strangers on the internet. Use your own eyes to determine which taxidermist you want to spend your hard earned money with.

Again, if they are reputable and you like what you see then by all means use them.

Mr Huffaker,

I see where your coming from. However I am trying to help some people out there excell in thier taste and decisions. Hey man we all eat McDonalds sometimes, but we all still know its crap compared to Whataburger. At the same time I want Americans to choose an American Product if they can. Especially if the ONLY reason not to is price. We are safari hunters. We don't make even average salaries. We can afford to choose vendors that benefit all while getting the absolute best product. I've seen your work and I have seen LifeForm's and I know you could win the Pepsi challenge anytime against them. Especially on buffalo. It would be nice if the other Americans on this forum could recognize that as well.

Last,

I have a much higher than average education in fine arts. I have never met a trained educated artist who did not believe Picasso was a fantastic artist. But I do agree that much of the fine art trading has been corrupted by art traders selling to fools with lots of money and convincing them that an art piece is groundbreaking or a classic. Many of Picasso's marginal at best pieces have been sold for way more money than thier worth but there are also absolutely wonderful pieces that he did, and the same might be said for some of the greatest taxidermists out there.

Jerry,

Please don't be swayed with all this Picasso talk; I don't want my mounts to arrive with both their eyes on one side of their face.

When I said that American taxidermy is superior to African, I stand by that. I was speaking in broad terms, not a slam on Life Form. They seem to be the exception. Although, in my humble opinion, their muscle definition is generally too linear and pronounced.

Judging taxidermy is as subjective as artwork; everyone has their own opinion. I subscribe to Breakthrough Magazine as well as Taxidermy Today, and have been around museum quality work my entire life, so my opinion might be skewed.

TO each his own, and I prefer to send specific animals to specific taxis according to thier talents with that particular species.

quote:

Originally posted by smarterthanurass:
Look at the world taxidermy championship results every single year and see what nation dominates by a wide margine.

from where is the judges at these competitions and what is the motive behind the competitions?

if your are so patriotic why dont you just shoot your lion in america aswell. oh yes you only have them in zoo's but you can argue that they have a green card so they are american.

im glad im not your ph you will drive me mad do you argue so much when he shows you a spoor aswell.

we as africans can argue that we must save our species for our children aswell but instead we allow you to hunt one of our natural resources its a previlage not a right so please respect that and dont get so personal. if it was not for your strong dollar more africans whould be able to shoot DG its all about supply and demand.

Hi Shakari: For clarification. Yes, the picture was taken at Life Form. Smarterthanu: Yes, the muscle was accentuated by the way the light was falling on the mount at the time that it was taken. It is much softer than what it appears in the picture. It concerned me at first when I received the picture and I immediately contacted Life Form about it. They assured me that all was well, as cats are one of their specialties. They were right on as usual. The museum quality mount now sits in our entryway, and greets all of our guests. Thanks all.

.375 Fan,

What???????????????????????????????????

That has been professional advice. If you can't handle that you sure don't want to here me get personal.

The PH I hunt with does a great job and yes there have probably been plenty of times he has wanted to choke me.

Somehow in all this I think you have made some incorrect assumptions in what I believe.

At the world shows, and I might be mistaken, but I can not recall seeing a single Judge out of Africa. They fail to qualify. The majority are out of USA. Some out of Europe. I think they have had a couple recently out of the old soviet republics and Russia.

UEG,

Congrats on the lion.

Just my personal experience and current opinions... Initially, I had quite a few plainsgame animals from SA and Tanz mounted in SA by one of the better shops there (not LFT), and quality is good and I am pleased, but it is not of the same quality as the taxidermist in the US that I am using now, nor does the tanning seem as good. Price was excellent at the time (strong dollar, lower shipping), and the curios (buffalo feet bookends, ostrich foot lamps, pillows made from the backskins, buffalo scrotum pen holder, etc) were very cheap and interesting. I had problems with the second batch from SA, as after about 3-6 months the mounts began to "crack" around the mouth and noses. I don't know if this was due to the different climates, the shipping, type of materials used, or what. To the credit of the taxidermist, while attending the shows, he stopped by and touched them up. Rather than having to take receipt and make payment (while trying to continue funding hunts) on a large batch all at one time, I prefer getting them tanned and spreading the actual mounting out over a period of time. I like to work with my local taxidermist to customize the mounts, review the form and mount before gluing for special trophies, review placement in the home and get suggestions regarding which wood to use for the bases and pedestals, etc. He drops the larger mounts off, and has guys available to assist with hanging if desired. Not everybody approaches taxidermy the same way, and one of the reasons that I did the early mounts in SA was due to the difficulty in locating an honest, reliable, talented and sound local taxidermist who knew African game (one walk thru the Cabela's in Hamburg will demonstrate the crap African work that is possible - regardless of where it is done). If I had it to do over again from the start, I would shoulder mount less but insure that all were of exceptional quality (in terms of the animal, the experience/memory, and the taxidermy).

UEG - That is a good looking lion!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
If I had it to do over again from the start, I would shoulder mount less but insure that all were of exceptional quality (in terms of the animal, the experience/memory, and the taxidermy).

I think that is excellent advice. I also think if you can locate a taxidermist that will assist in the ways that Bill's has (and that's a big IF) then you would be smart to use their services.

BillC,

I agree and you just can't work that closely with an African taxidermist. Currently I'm having a croc remounted in a different position. Can you imagine doing that with a croc mounted in Africa?

Mark

I would beg to differ with the opinion that US taxidermy is the best.

Please see the following link for an example of Irish Taxidermy (of an incredibly rare primate) at it's finest:

http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/pict/230085798855_1.jpg

Lets see some Yankee gut-stuffer match that!!

Mark, I have found, that - with those who have not used one - there is often a tendency to overstate the difficulty of working with a good African taxidermist (with the emphasis on good, of course). I wouldn't want anyone to be scared out of using Life Form in particular for fear of that difficulty. Life Form makes things very easy and they are quite user friendly.

I have used Life Form for over thirty mounts, rugs, etc., including European, head and shoulder and full body mounts, and their attention to detail and quality are second to none. I have a friend and client, who originally recommended Life Form to me, and who has much more African hunting experience than I do, who has literally dozens of mounts done by Life Form. His trophy room is a natural history museum. After trying others for his African animals, he finally settled on Life Form as the best. I followed suit. Neither of us has ever been disappointed by their customer service or the quality of their work.

Life Form asks for, and I have always provided them with, very detailed instructions as to how I want each trophy mounted. Whenever any questions have arisen, they have consulted me via email, often including photographs, and have waited to get my detailed instructions before proceeding. They are true artists, but also very good businessmen, and everything they have done for me has been as ordered and on time.

They also make the shipping part of things very easy. They coordinate getting the raw trophies in country from place of origin, and they also coordinate getting their finished mounts out of their shop and all the way to your door. They recommend and prefer to use, and I have always used, Safari Air Cargo in RSA and Fauna & Flora in the USA. One can choose air or ocean freight. I have used both and have been very satisfied.

Not surprisingly, I will use Life Form again next year.

Of course, the taxidermist must do quality work, and the hunter must know what he wants and make up his mind for this to work! Why are you having your croc remounted?

I want an honest answer from the Americans on the thread. If money is not an option, and you can have just as good taxidermy done in the USA, why would you have an African mount it unless that person is a relative or close personal friend. I want honest answers.

Mike,

Sadie never liked the 1/3 lifesize croc. It sat on the floor with a mud and grass enviroment. We now are having it come out of the wall at about a 30 degree angle. These are the things that I think would be difficult with any African taxidermist. Correction of any kind would have to be nearly impossible to fix.

Novice safari hunters may not really know what they want and that in itself would keep me from recommending an African taxidermist. They have virtually no recourse if they don't like the mounts.

This has nothing to do really with Life Form it's just my reservations about African taxidermy.

Mark

Smartguy,

I have read your posts here and on other threads.

You seem to be a self professed expert in nearly every subject offered.

1. You quote chapter and verse how sub-Saharan blacks are not capable of the mental development you claim to possess. You must be a social scientist or geneticist or a racist.

2. Your expertise in agronomy and agriculture led you to conclude that the Sahara Desert was created by man.

3. You seem to be an expert in economics and the world economy as you espouse spending dollars in the US and nowhere else. To do otherwise is un-American.

4. Now I see you are an art expert, especially on Picasso. Glad to know this as most of us are in need of help in understanding his art. I prefer Monet.

5. You are expert in taxidermy judging and world wide competition yet are not a taxidermist nor a member of the NTA. You name 5 taxidermists from Texas that are world class by your standards. Fine. Use them. But do not have the gall to suggest that they and their US cohorts are the best in the world. You know not of what you speak.

6. You take on Steve Robinson on his observations of elephant behavour hence you must be a zoologist or elephant-ologist. Steve has spent more time watching African game than you will ever see even if you watch the Discovery Channel everyday for the next 10 years.

7. A guy posts a picture of his lion and you are the expert. Show us a picture of your lion. Please. I have seen your hunt report, nice lion. Now, lets see the mount and let the world pass judgement on your taxidermist and your choice of where you spend your money.

Let me guess, the diamond ring you bought your wife was diamond dug up in Arkansas so that you would not spend your money outside the good old USA.

There was an old poster here by the name of Carmello that was a know it all and in reality a know nothing. You are heading down that same path along with your credibility.

Oh, and to not disappoint you by not replying to your request to be honest - I will use the taxidermist that I feel does the best job for what I want. I do not care if he/she is in the US, Africa, Canada or Europe. If I get the chance to use Life Form, I will likely do it based on what I see and what Steve Robinson has to say.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Vinny:
Smartguy,

I have read your posts here and on other threads.

You seem to be a self professed expert in nearly every subject offered.

1. You quote chapter and verse how sub-Saharan blacks are not capable of the mental development you claim to possess. You must be a social scientist or geneticist or a racist.

2. Your expertise in agronomy and agriculture led you to conclude that the Sahara Desert was created by man.

3. You seem to be an expert in economics and the world economy as you espouse spending dollars in the US and nowhere else. To do otherwise is un-American.

4. Now I see you are an art expert, especially on Picasso. Glad to know this as most of us are in need of help in understanding his art. I prefer Monet.

5. You are expert in taxidermy judging and world wide competition yet are not a taxidermist nor a member of the NTA. You name 5 taxidermists from Texas that are world class by your standards. Fine. Use them. But do not have the gall to suggest that they and their US cohorts are the best in the world. You know not of what you speak.

6. You take on Steve Robinson on his observations of elephant behavour hence you must be a zoologist or elephant-ologist. Steve has spent more time watching African game than you will ever see even if you watch the Discovery Channel everyday for the next 10 years.

7. A guy posts a picture of his lion and you are the expert. Show us a picture of your lion. Please. I have seen your hunt report, nice lion. Now, lets see the mount and let the world pass judgement on your taxidermist and your choice of where you spend your money.

Let me guess, the diamond ring you bought your wife was diamond dug up in Arkansas so that you would not spend your money outside the good old USA.

There was an old poster here by the name of Carmello that was a know it all and in reality a know nothing. You are heading down that same path along with your credibility.

Oh, and to not disappoint you by not replying to your request to be honest - I will use the taxidermist that I feel does the best job for what I want. I do not care if he/she is in the US, Africa, Canada or Europe. If I get the chance to use Life Form, I will likely do it based on what I see and what Steve Robinson has to say.[/ AMEN. to state that it is un-American to use an African taxidermist is insulting, not to mention stupid. but what can you expect from someone who thinks the Sahara(which essentially encompasses entire northern one-third of th African continent) was caused by over-grazing practices 10-20,000 years ago! if anyone's name was ever inappropriate on this forum, it is yours.

Wow,

Somebody has a little bit of sand in his vagina and crap in his skull. It is amazing how little is known about me, and yet I am so hated.
1. As for sub saharan black issue just about anyone past a 8th grade education can tell they are decades if not centuries behind all other races in mental and social development.
2.The expertise of dozens of professors I studied under, lead them to believe the Saharan desert was created by man and they passed the knowledge on to me.
3. I never said to never spend your dollars anywhere else. Don't make up BS to villify me.
4. I do have a much higher education in the visual arts and history of visual arts than %99 of people.
5. I am a taxidermist and I have been a member of the NTA. The five guys I have mentioned before many have judged and all are masters recognized by the NTA. Are you feeling foolish yet?
&. I don't personaly know Steve Robinson nor do I know what you are talking about in an elephant behavior post. I would like to know more about elephants. I think you have me confused with someone else.
7. I did not talk any trash about UEG's lion and I do think it was a nice mount from the little I can tell from a picture. My lion is not mounted yet but as soon as it is I will be glad to offer a picture.

Wow, you will use whoever you feel like. My 4 year old makes those kind of statements. I don't want to be anyones father on this forum,but I do find it interesting I can make someone as blindly angry as you by pricking your conscience.

quote:

Originally posted by smarterthanu:The expertise of dozens of professors I studied under, lead them to believe the Saharan desert was created by man and they passed the knowledge on to me.

I did not know until smarterthanu pointed it out that the Saharan desert was created by man, but there is a post in the Australian Hunting section right now(Camel culling story) where they are hunting camels in the Australian desert and the guy explains deserts in Australia being caused by over grazing, and how the Saharan desert was created by man this way!

Why not? its a big world out there and I suspect my dollars are more needed in SA than in the US, we are a much more developed and richer country.
Its time we developed a less parochial outlook; we are all human, including Africans, we all need help.
I love Africa just like I love the US. I am not going to have a "us vs. them" attitude.

quote:

Originally posted by smarterthanu:
I want an honest answer from the Americans on the thread. If money is not an option, and you can have just as good taxidermy done in the USA, why would you have an African mount it unless that person is a relative or close personal friend. I want honest answers.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Indlovu:
Why not? its a big world out there and I suspect my dollars are more needed in SA than in the US, we are a much more developed and richer country.
Its time we developed a less parochial outlook; we are all human, including Africans, we all need help.
I love Africa just like I love the US. I am not going to have a "us vs. them" attitude.


I agree, thanks for clarity on this. Myopic views only lead to isolationism, then distrust, then conflict. There is room for each of us on this planet...


]

Lifeforms did a lovely job on my 2004 trophies, including two pedestal shoulder mounts.

I wish I had known it was possible to have sent my 2006 trophies (a Buff and a Hartebeast) to them from Tanzania. The trophies and the US taxidermist would not be among the missing now, and I'd be much happier.

quote:

Originally posted by smarterthanu:
I want an honest answer from the Americans on the thread. If money is not an option, and you can have just as good taxidermy done in the USA, why would you have an African mount it unless that person is a relative or close personal friend. I want honest answers.

The simple answer was that they (in this case Life-Form) were recommended by my outfitter (Mafigeni). When we toured their facility (which is quite large, on the order of 5 or 6 buildings) we were very impressed. My US taxidermist at the time did not have African experience so I opted to have LF do the mounts and they were excellent.
For our recent Tanz safari, Jerry Huffaker, fellow AR memeber who we met at DSC last year is doing the taxidermy. He has African experience and an excellent reputation. Also us old cowboys got to stick together.

SO we want to be fair and caring for the poorer people in a world economy? Awwwwwww. Thats so sweet. Well, since its a world economy and we should be competing that way and we must remain fair. Time to get rid of minimum wage laws, child labor laws, OSHA, and the EPA. Now lets start competing. By the way thats going to put a few of you lawyers on this forum a little short of work and a little less hunting money. And the rest of you that want your kid to get a summer job to learn about responsibility? Too bad Walmart can hire two eight year olds to do that for half the money. The more I think about it being fair and competing in your world market sounds great. You don't want your kid to finish the race in second place. You don't like it when asskissers get promoted past you. And it doesn't make since not to root for the home team especially when it benefits you and yours down the road. Anyone who thinks differently needs lesson in self-preservation.

Smarterguy,
If you are so sure of your economic theory about self-preservation, why not post a link to your taxidermy business, a list of your prices, photos of your work - then let your "potential" customers on AR make a decision. It is "free" enterprise and your are sure getting a great deal of "free" press on this website due to your interesting posts.

Vinny,
I don't come on here to promote myself. In fact the five people I listed before are my competitors. I have preserved my anonimity as to not corrupt people's judgements as to my motivations for the things I write here. I did it well enough for you to make false accusations about me based on foolish assumptions. Many people on this forum know me and can, if they choose to, discuss the quality, or lack there of, of my work, and the proffesionalism, or lack there of, of my business practices. Open criticism of what I do is appreciated and usually results in better product for all. I'm really not sure what that has to do with economic theory, but then again I have not understood many of your posts. From time to time I will post pictures of my work here. Mostly personel pieces, because for the most part I try to also preserve my clients anonimity,and as for prices, they are not cheap.

mr smart,
no pictures, no addresses, many tall claims...
you are a
and henceforth on my ignore list, amusing though your bigotry and paranoia is!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by smarterthanu:
SO we want to be fair and caring for the poorer people in a world economy? Awwwwwww.QUOTE]

If you dont create jobs they poach and steal so with hold your dollars and in five years lets see if there will be plainsgame for you to shoot. if there is no money in keeping the hunting economy going the land will change to farming or other industries. Because of the money generated by the hunting industry the game population is higher than it has been 30years ago. it sustains itself and grows it gives you more choices of where to hunt and it keeps prices competitive. imagine if there were only 5 hunting operaters in africa what will you pay for your hunting trip.

its like golf in Japan i hear its only for the very rich people.


why do they practise catch and release in bass fishing they preserve their sport

Why does everybody want to do commercial fishing in south african waters because we preserve ours and they f$%ked theirs up.

just another idea to promote local taxidermy. if a client uses local taxidermy give him a better trophy price so that his trophy fee and taxidermy cost the same as just the trophy fee of the person who does his taxidermy outside africa or nice big export tax on the kuips you export. in the name of self preservation.

why do america subsidise their farmers?

quote:

Originally posted by Lhook7:
Please don't be swayed with all this Picasso talk; I don't want my mounts to arrive with both their eyes on one side of their face.

Indlovu,

My doors are open any time, and you are most welcome here. I think if you would like what you find here. I serve almost 800 clients a year so its not like I'm hiding under a rock. Please come down And I will be glad to show you all you want.

.375 Fan,


What???????????????????????

Thank you; I might take you up on that, I will be up in Dallas in january for the meeting.

quote:

Originally posted by smarterthanu:
Indlovu,

My doors are open any time, and you are most welcome here. I think if you would like what you find here. I serve almost 800 clients a year so its not like I'm hiding under a rock. Please come down And I will be glad to show you all you want.

.375 Fan,


What???????????????????????

I am going to try and make it up to the Dallas show this year and visit some friends so maybe we will bump into each other. If you can stand another week in Texas feel free to come to the Houston show. I have a large booth there every year and plenty of cold Mexican Beer. Hopefully I will be sober.

[quote]"Ultimately the only opinion that counts is the customer who writes the check. Make your own decision, check them out look at their work, and if you like them, use them, if you don't then take your business to another taxidermist. It doesn't matter where the work is done."

You are exactly right.

I was a taxidermist years ago. The typical customer wanted the 'dramatic' poses. Personally I dislike the dramatic poses, you know the bear standing in attack mode etc. Pretty funny especially when the bear was shot over a bait barrel full of stale donuts.

Anyway you do what the customer wants and as long as the customer is happy i'm happy. I'm particulary happy when the customer pays.

quote:

2.The expertise of dozens of professors I studied under, lead them to believe the Saharan desert was created by man and they passed the knowledge on to me.

That was the biggest piece of BS I have heard in a very long while! I guess humans are the cause of plate tectonics as well? On the other hand, if DOZENS of professors state that as the truth, then I am sure happy that I am not living in the US...
Check in any primary school world atlas and you will find the deserts of the world are lined up aroound the subtropics (Tropic of Cancer/Capricorn) or where mountains prevent moist air masses from transporting moisture to the areas behind the mountains, or cold sea currents preventing moisture to reach inland. Check out how the Hadley Cell works and you will understand why deserts are where they are and why rainforests are where they are. This is what primary school kids are learning...
With this lack of basics in this field it does tell more about the possible knowledge or lack thereof in other fields.

Sincerely
Daniel

Mr. Daniel,

While you worry about what little kids are learning I am telling you what professors with degrees and decades experience in agronomy, soils sciences, and range management know. If you think a desert is strinctly weather related ask some of the other people on this forum about desertification due to elephant over population. I am sure all your friends in primary school are learning that also. By the way your desert forces you listed are also where you find rainforests. Next to mountians, in the tropics, and on cold coast lines. So which will they make desert or rainforests? If this is the crap they teach in primary school there I am certianly glad my kids attend shool in the US.