Do you life size mount them or do you shoulder mount them?

Shoulder

Did mine as shoulder mounts. Did Red Duiker and Suni as full wall mounts only because they were both world records and deserved it.

If you can afford it, LIFE SIZE. They are both very unique and beautiful animals.
my 2c

My preference, if you have the funds AND the space, full mount the oribi. Vaal rhebuck probably just shoulder mount.

i continue to grow fonder of life sized. there is so much more to the animal than just a head on the wall. hence i can no longer walk from one end of the game room to the other, but then again i don't have any wall space either

I prefer life size for the small guys. You can still use wall space or do a small "mountain" and have a have up to a dozen on one "mount".

I lifesized my Vaalie.

Would have lifeseized my Klippie too but I blew him up too bad (223 is NOT a good choice for them!) I ended up with a nice shoulder mount from it, though.

I skinned my Sharps grysbok out for a LS mount too, but it fell apart at the tannery (shit salt used but the skinners).

I will be hunting both in less than three weeks. Thanks for the suggestions.

Where are you hunting them?

I'm hunting them with Andrew Renton and Kei River Safaris. I'll also be going after a blue and red duiker while there. The duikers are no brainers life size. I still haven't decided on the Oribi and vallie, hence my question. I took a very nice mountain reedbuck with Andrew a couple of years ago and decided on a shoulder mount for it. The Oribi and vallie are roughly the same size, so that adds to the equation.

I ended up life sizing my common, too.

I'll be going after blue duiker as well, along with some other smaller critters.

Lifesize for me for sure. I will only shoot one of each and I want them to display at the house. Love the feel of the "bunny" fur on the Vaalie.

UEG-

I've had some adventures hunting Blue Duiker. I wish you success and suggest a 12ga shotgun with small birdshot loads. I took over a box of #12. You can usually arrange for the outfitter to provide a shotgun without undue trouble. Those little buggers haul ass, so be quick!

Thanks for the advice on the birdshot. I had thought some number 4's would be in order, but I'll take something smaller. What about chokes for the shotgun? What is your recommendation?

I have used 16 ga buck for many of my little guys. Let me see, Blue Duiker, Red Duiker, Suni, and Dik-Dik.

UEG-

I used the outfitters SxS external hammer gun. No idea as to choke or age, but it had long barrels! I've taken other little guys with handgun and rifle, but the Blue Duikers we hunted with dogs, and they were really movin' every time I got a glimpse of them, so the shotgun was definitely the right choice of weapon for them. They are really small, smaller than Suni, so #12 shot will work well. BTW, I brained a charging bush pig with #12; DRT.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
I ended up life sizing my common, too.

graybird,
I dont have a trophy room. If i had, that would be up there (in my case a Roe deer) it is a very nice, well thought out mount.
Thanks for taking the time to post it.jc

For the Vallie I don't think the shoulder mount does it justice. I have a very nice one from a few years back shoulder mounted and I'm kind of disappointed. Garry Kelly has invited me back to try for another and it will be a life-sized for sure. Nothing in Africa that I'm aware of has that fur that the Vaal Rhebok does.

Mark

I'm bringing this one back to the top. Not much longer and it'll be time for a long flight.

Thanks!

Graybird, where and with whom are you hunting?

I gave my Oribi to my PH/Outfitter and he had it shoulder mounted for his home.

I'm hunting with Andrew Renton of Kei River Safaris in June out of the Eastern Cape.

As I understand the oribi will be hunted near Kokstad, and the Vaalie in the Drakensberg Mountains.

We'll also be attempting blue and red duiker.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
For the Vallie I don't think the shoulder mount does it justice. I have a very nice one from a few years back shoulder mounted and I'm kind of disappointed. Garry Kelly has invited me back to try for another and it will be a life-sized for sure. Nothing in Africa that I'm aware of has that fur that the Vaal Rhebok does.

Mark

I agree wholeheartedly. The fur is similar to wool but it is not wool. It's truly singularly unique! One of the guys in our group got a nice Vaal on our recent hunt in the eastern cape. I was simply astounded at the uniqueness of it's coat. A shoulder mount and back skin just wouldn't do them justice. A shoulder mount of a vaal looks just like another of the "little guys". The whole animal is very unique and interesting.

I Euro mount most of my trophies, but if I shoot a Vallie or a Oribi, I will full mount them for sure.
Nothing else do them justice in my opinion.

Since this post was started, I went on to shoot both Vaal Rhebok and Oribi on my Bucket List Safari last June with Charl at Infinito. Both(Vaal and Oribi) are in the process of being full mounted by Life Form. Can't wait to see them!

I did a life size mount of my oribi and am glad I did.

If i had the space i would have life sized both of mine - both have attributes that are lost when shoulder mounted (as mine will be)

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
UEG-

I used the outfitters SxS external hammer gun. No idea as to choke or age, but it had long barrels! I've taken other little guys with handgun and rifle, but the Blue Duikers we hunted with dogs, and they were really movin' every time I got a glimpse of them, so the shotgun was definitely the right choice of weapon for them. They are really small, smaller than Suni, so #12 shot will work well. BTW, I brained a charging bush pig with #12; DRT.

Are you sure you don't mean #2 shot? #12 shot is rat shot and would probably not penetrate the skin of these animals at more than a few feet. It is also nearly impossible to find loaded in shotgun shells. #12 is .05, 1.27mm diameter in size, compared to the more common dove/bird shot of #8s which are .09, 2.29 mm.

When I hunted blue duiker last year in the Eastern Cape, I used my Browning Citori over and under, but the ammo was actually supplied by the Professional Hunter assisting Charl and me with the hunt. I can't seem to recall what it was, but it seemed to be somewhat different from the shotgun shells and shot that I have used here in the States. I was given four shells to use. In any event, whatever I was given by the South African to use, it did the trick on those fast, darting, little jungle dwellers! And yes, we hunted them with dogs as well. That's the thick stuff behind us and to the right. For those who have hunted them along the Indian Ocean, you'll know what I am talking about.

Vaal Rhebuck hunting is an obsession almost on the same level as kudu hunting. Once the bug bites no matter what you hunt will not be eligible for a shoulder mount....skull mounts only until such time as you shoot that which you desire...so far....not yet....
Jokes aside. The vaal Rhebuck skull mount emphasizes the long pencil type horns, and is a wonderful display, as is the skull mount on a kudu....

Very true!

A good Klippie is the other one that deserves a full mount........

+1

Graybird;

Get the Oribi as s full body mount.

I have done that with the little guys but didn't do it with Oribi I have always regretted it. A shoulder mount does not give enough characteristics to do it justice!!!

Best regards, D.Nelson

Ps have a great trip!!!!

My first dozen pygmy were all full body mount the latest Gunthers Dik-Dik is being done shoulder pedestal.