Rick R drove up to NJ to spend the weekend with his beau's Mom and picked up the trophies. He came by this afternoon and we broke down the crate and distributed the goodies.

Lifeforms in RSA did the work ... it is just beautiful! As luck would have it, the pedestal mount Kudu JUST fits ... as long as the pedestal is not on the carpet. The right horn just touches the ceiling! (Man I'd have been unhappy if a 60" would not have fit! [upon rereading this, I realized I might have given the impression that my majestic fellow might be that big ... he's not, but he's just regal anyway!]) Next time I will know the maximum available height.

Now I have my den complete with Kudu and Gemsbuk pedestal mounts; shield mounts of warthog, impala, and blue wildebeast ... and a beautiful Zebra rug. The two sofas are topped with backskins. It all goes SO well with leather chairs and the big TV with home theater sound.

Some of the funriture belongs to my youngest son who is in the Navy and will be traveling for the next three years. Have to figure out how to buy it from him as it just works together SO well!

I'm not sure I'd pay all that money and invest the sweat in the trophy shipment again (except for a Buff), but my heavens the memories the trophies bring back! I glad we spent the monies even though it hurt a little. What a rush!!!!

Mike

That sounds just so wonderful ////

congratulation to LifeForm and yourself

Regards, Peter

Congratulations and enjoy the memories!

Photos???? Puh-leeeze?


Dave

Yep, Mike's kudu and oryx pedestal mounts are museum quality. Our shield mounts and skins are all in excellent shape. I've already hung the Euro shield mounts from my wildebeest, warthog and one impala, the second impala goes to the office tomorrow.

to LifeForm Taxidermy where Claire Sands was our point of contact. Everything was done professionally and on time with good pricing.

More to the Janel group where Ellen Adler handled all the details regarding shipping and clearing thru the customs paperwork. We had the finished trophies shipped by freighter from RSA for about a $400.oo savings over air. The whole transit time was just under a month once the ship left Capetown till the paperwork was done.

btw, we got it thru in one crate with the proper paperwork for both hunter's trophies, but Ellen said Custom's wasn't happy. Beware with future shipments.

One safari down...

Congrats y'all!! I can't wait to see the photos. I want to do my Gemsbok and Kudu in pedestal mounts as well.

.....'bout time for y'all to go back isn't it?!?

Bob

Beautiful !! there is a lot to be said for sheild/skull mounts. I think yours look great. Nice matching pedistals.

thanks for showing photos

Nice mounts! I think I like the gemsbok the best, not sure why, perhaps it is because it looks so "macho" (hope it is not a cow with this choice of words... ).

Heard in Africa: "Sorry Mr. PH; I can't shoot that 60" Kudu, it won't fit into my living room!"

I know exactly what you feel like, I had to give away a Kudu mount, because it was too big to fit into my appartment. I guess you could make the next pedestal just a tad lower to fit that 60" bull...

- mike

just jealous

quote:

Originally posted by mstarling:
Rick R drove up to NJ to spend the weekend with his beau's Mom

For Rick's sake, I am going to assume you meant Rick's 'belle'.

Nice mounts, BTW.

Good grief ... didn't realize there was a gender connotation there. Sure did goof that one!

She's a lovely, bright, young dynamic lady who is really proficient with her Guide Gun and 1911 ... I'd darned sure not want to make her unhappy. Rick has VERY good taste!

My apologoies.

By the way, Rick and I were both surprised by the quality and fit of the crate that was built for the trophies. That was quite a piece of work! No way they were gonna get hurt save to crush the entire crate.