On this past year's trip to Namibia I was encouraged by my outfitter to consider buying flat skins already prepared at one of the various Windhoek tanneries rather than spend the money for taxidermy and shipping of the actual ones I shot. My research after the hunt at a tannery disclosed that his advice was sound. I could buy, for example, a zebra skin of my choice, after looking through dozens, do some paperwork at the tannery, and bring it home in checked luggage for far less than having the one I shot tanned and later shipped home. For some species, CITIES permits would apply, I know, but for others, it seemed a no hassle way to go. In the end, I did not buy any. Any similar experiences?

Why would anyone want to do it that way?

In that case sit at home and buy some hides off the internet you will really save some money.

quote:

Originally posted by J P Baker:
Why would anyone want to do it that way?

In that case sit at home and buy some hides off the internet you will really save some money.

I agree.

I'm with the majority here. I would like my own please. I don't think I would have the same memories looking at a zebra rug that wasn't the one I hunted.

Not to piss on any ones parade but I agree with graybird. Just buy your trophies, no bad wording buy mounts and make up your hunting stories. My God wouldn't they be great.

A 'Store Bought' Zebra rug will never be as good as MY Zebra rug. An old yellowing mare with Leopard scars on her rear from an old attack and after death discovered to have a poachers snare on her ankle. I would love a pretty black and white one, but...This is my Zebra Rug, there are many like it, but this one is MINE!

Perhaps my presentation was poor. I'm not suggesting one replace his trophy with another and claim anything other than what it is. I thought the outfitters suggestion curious on many levels.

I have recommended that people do a variation of this. Not to be buying "trophies" but as an alternative to saving back skins. A lot of people (me included)saved back skins from their first safari and then ended up wondering what in the world to do with them. If you want some tanned skins to make pillows or other curios, or you just want a rug for decoration, it is not a bad idea, and often cheaper to buy one. Then you are getting the whole flat skin vs. a back skin, and usually at half the cost. This is especially true if you are paying for dip and pack, shipping, and tanning.

On horned animals, for most people, the real trophy is the horns, as they are unique. Many capes and hides do not differ much and the need to replace capes does occur.

I certainly understand about the zebra and other animals with unique markings, but for animals like springbok, blesbok, gemsbok, impala etc.. why bother with a backskin, just buy a full skin and save time and money.

If the skin of the animal is that much of a trophy to you, it should have been done as a life-sized mount anyway

I view a tanned flat skin as more of a home decoration than a trophy (exceptions being species traditionally done as rugs-lion, zebra, etc.), but to each their own!

I have made 8 safaris to Zimbabwe and shot most everything there several times over except lion. The only trophies I have are two Zebra rugs and a pair of tusks from my last Elephant. I know the tusks are from my Elephant as I watched them weighed and stamped by the Dept of Wildlife when they were registered. I have absolutely no idea whether the two Zebra skins are from the ones I shot or not. I could probably compare the stripes to some of the photos and prove one way or the other but it's of absolutely no importance to me. I shot two zebras, I have two skins, it's as simple as that to me. I really don't hunt for trophies in any case. I might have bought a couple of skins if they had been available and reasonably priced. Wouldn't have minded having a couple of Impala skins soft tanned to use as throws on the couch in the family room.

Somewhat related. I had shoulder mounts done of everything I shot in '05, except the zebra. That was made into a rug for step-daughter (actually girlfriend's daughter at the time). I bought a springbok flatskin at the store for my Mom. I chose springbok because that was one of the animals I did shoot in Africa; I wanted it to represent one I did get, even if it wasn't the actual one I got.

Sounds economical, but if I was really concerned with being economical, I wouldn't be going to Africa to hunt to begin with.

Having someone else's trophy, even if it is just a flatskin, would bug the heck out of me. It would be like hanging a family portrait on the wall of someone elses family to me.

I'm with most of you on this...I have no interest in a skin or horn I didn't take or find on my own.

I have done what you did and like it. The reality is that you frequently do not get your skins. You get your horns as they are usually drilled and tagged. I bought better looking tanned skins and saved on the shipping and the taxidermy fees in the US. THere are some good rug makers here that will add felt or leather backing for a reasonable price. You can also buy your rugs there.

For example, in the Classified section, there is a zebra rug for sale for about $1700. You can buy one in Africa for under $1000 and under $750 if you bargain.

I have no emotional attachment to the capes or hides, just the horns.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
For example, in the Classified section, there is a zebra rug for sale for about $1700. You can buy one in Africa for under $1000 and under $750 if you bargain.

I have no emotional attachment to the capes or hides, just the horns.

Others may do as it suits them, but I wouldn't give $50 for a rug I didn't shoot,except for the leather to make things, not as a trophy, and I wouldn't take $1700, or twice that much, for one I did shoot!

I would rather pay more for the one I actually shot.. But of course could buy one to make certain things, like rifle bag og cartridge pouches.. To make things I would not use my own trophy unless I had shot several of course and didn`t intend to mount all..

quote:

Originally posted by Grafton:
Not to be buying "trophies" but as an alternative to saving back skins. A lot of people (me included)saved back skins from their first safari and then ended up wondering what in the world to do with them. If you want some tanned skins to make pillows or other curios, or you just want a rug for decoration, it is not a bad idea, and often cheaper to buy one. Then you are getting the whole flat skin vs. a back skin, and usually at half the cost. This is especially true if you are paying for dip and pack, shipping, and tanning.
If the skin of the animal is that much of a trophy to you, it should have been done as a life-sized mount anyway

Bingo!

On my hunt in Africa, I killed two springboks -- one for a shoulder mount and one for the FULL flatskin.

BUT...

When I built my new trophy room that houses all my African and NZ critters, I decided to use lots of critter-related stuff for the decor. So I let my fingers do the walking on Ebay to purchase some unique items.

Each of the three end tables now has a small tanned springbok hide on it. The large flathide from the one I actually shot had been on the sofa table before my wallaby arrived, but now covers the coffee table where the small circular rug once was.

I also bought 4 springbok pillow covers -- just add appropriately sized pillow through the zippered opening.

I also purchased two circular items made from springbok backskins. The largest has 10 of them sewn into a nice pattern. The smallest one serves as a mat under the centerpiece on the dinning room table.

If I recall, everything I bought on eBay cost me less than $400 -- a great deal under what shooting all of them in Africa would have eventually cost me.

A couple pix:

Note pillows on love seat and hide on end table. Two more pillows grace the couch in the foreground.



Three end tables have small hides like this one on them.



There are 10 springbok backskins sewn together for the "rug" behind the clock. It now sits on the floor in front of the TV where the zebra had once resided.



This is a newer photo after I decided to put MY zebra rug on the wall rather than the floor and to use the smaller circular springbok dealie on the dinning room table.