I have always been delighted with the taxidermy work I've had done in Africa - except for one time: an eland that I had done in South Africa.

It was a big old bull that had a wild, weathered, drawn look about it, but the mount looked puffy, almost bloated, more like a "stuffed" animal than a trophy.

Seems to me it would be kind of simple for a taxidermist to re-do ... drop it into some sort of softening solution and stick a new form inside. No? Am I way off the mark here?

It's easy to say, but probably not so easy to do. Post on the taxidermy forum, and you should get some informed replies.

Never happen Steve. They glue the hides to the forms and getting one to release without damage would be near impossible.

Mike

I agree. Had a mount that I was thinking of redoing and with the glue and how it was put together. No go. The hide would be destroyed. Best way is to buy a cape and use your horns/antlers. If a bear or something; no luck.

Check with a reputable taxidermist.It may be possible. I've seen mule deer re done but am not sure about the eland.

I have seen it been done with a lion, alot of work and probably alot depending of what glue etc. But that lion after re mounted was damn impressive!! Shoot another eland or buy another cape probably hell of alot cheaper.

It can be done depending on how it was tanned and how old the mount is. The cost will run about double. It will take just as long to take it apart and prepare the skin as it will to re mount it.
There is a chance to that when you re hydrate the skin it won't be re mountable and you will loose that cape and have to purchase a new one.

New cape, remount. Sometimes they look wonky because they use a form modified badly...

a lot of inexperienced taxidermist tend to bugger up a Big Eland bull.It has a BIG Dewlap that hangs down and Ive seen it before where they think all that extra skin was part of the neck and so puff up the neck to a unnatural size.
Good luck with the re-do

Saw a huge kudu bull done on an eland form -- biggest available at the time. Odd looking, but on the wall in RSA (and acknowledged as so at the time). Sometimes anything will work out until you can "fix" it later.

quote:

Originally posted by LittleJoe:
The hide would be destroyed. Best way is to buy a cape and use your horns/antlers.

That wouldn't work with this Eland. His pompadour is one of his best features!