Ladies and Gentlemen,

When planning your African safari, don't overlook these two species as hunting opportunities.

Zebra

Crocodile

The Zebra, in my opinion (and I have taken 4 of them), is a challenging hunt and a tough animal. There are only a few taxidermists that do the leather trimmed rug. The leather trimmed rug is the only way to go, IMHO. The felt backed zebra rug is a dust/dog hair magnet. Jerry Huffaker does his own leather trimmed rugs and they are great (not all taxidermists have access to the sewing machines needed to do this). Some prefer a mare for rugs because of the lack of bite marks, the stallion makes a great shoulder mount. A shoulder mount is an additional option (one that I didn't think about until I saw one in a lodge in South Africa).

The crocodile is an challenging hunt. Not only do you have to make a perfect shot (avoid the brain shot and go for a neck/spine shot if you want to save the skull) but you have to outsmart one of the most challenging animals in Africa. You can set up baits and blinds (leaving the hunting car and all the staff behind while you and the PH approach the your blind on the banks of the river) or you can be lucky (as I was) and just walk the riverine forest looking for bushbuck and other targets of opportunity and luck upon a crocodile on a sand bar in the middle of the river.

Most of you have seen these pictures, but I will post them for our new members and for those who missed them previously.

leather trimmed rug.




Covering the boys while they set a croc bait:







Note the croc in the background





Regards,

Terry

The one animal I'd really like to shoot is a Grant's Gazelle but Tanzania is probably never going to happy for me.

I think they are the most elegant of all the smaller trophies. Shame they're only in Tanzania.

Bill,

Never say never. The Grant's and East African Impala make a great pedestal mount.



Regards,

Terry

Great pictures thanks for postintg.
I like that zebra rug very much it is one of the good cheep trophys .

Cheers,

André

Some more recent pictures (since we painted downstairs):







Regards,

Terry

Besides the "Big 5", I don't know of any animal that says "AFRICA" to me more than a zebra. I hope to take a Burchells this October, if time allows, to go with my Hartmanns. Those will be done as rugs, then I can start over hunting for shoulder mounts.

I read somewhere, that Jack O'Connor had a "thing" for zebras, always taking one if possible on his trips to Africa.

Seems reasonable to me.

quote:

Originally posted by DB Bill:
The one animal I'd really like to shoot is a Grant's Gazelle but Tanzania is probably never going to happy for me.

I think they are the most elegant of all the smaller trophies. Shame they're only in Tanzania.

I have a few in our backyard. And the only person who expressed an idea to shoot one is Walter.

I caught him sneaking in there once doing what he called "pre-hunt stalk"? When I asked him what he was doing, he said he wanted to shoot one of those gazzeles and enjoy it on a BBQ!

I told him the day he does that, my crocs will enjoy a half German and half Chilean Walterhog!

He said "Ah! You are not going to shoot your best friend and feed him to the crocs, are you?"

I said "No, but I will shoot any poacher I find shooting my animals"

He said "Typical! Any silly excuse to be nasty to me! I don't know why I keep up with all the abuse I get from you!"

I`m having a zebra rug made theese days. I have decided to choose neither the felt nor leather (don`t know if anyone around here does it). It made the rug quit a bit more expensive with felt. So it is skin only. Is that also a dust-collector?

Great trophy room(s), BTW! And that croc-scull was very special.

Terry: I have my zebra rug draped over one of our sofas. You are right that the felt nbacked rugs are dust magnets. My bear sufferes fromt he same malady, so I draped him over the other sofa. BTW how high are your ceilings where your european style buff mounts hang? jorge

Jorege,

8 foot ceilings.

Regards,

Terry

Terry,

Could not agree with you more on the croc hunt. I think it was one of the most unique hunting experiences I've ever had. Also if I ever kill another one I will only have the skull done exactly like yours. I honestly don't think mounting them any other way is practical unless you have a huge amount of room and lots of cash.

Speaking of crocs we can put together something that might be of interest to DG hunters. We can do a croc, hippo on land and 3 buffalo in the Selous on a 14 day schedule. It is not a "Ration" hunt. Promise!!!

Regards,

Mark

Regards,

Mark

Terry, beautiful animals. I sure wish I could get over to Africa, but it's going to be a few more years before I can go.

They look perfect for the BBQ to me.