Springbok Mount

Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris
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"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson

Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......

"If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you."

15 May 2008, 08:20

bo-n-aro

OUCH!
Well, the ears are not right. The rest of the mount looks OK as what I can see from the pic.
Depending on if the ear base is water based clay and if the cape is tanned, it could be fixed.

15 May 2008, 18:03

Grafton

You are correct, the ear position is too erect. Just as with a negative hunt report, the name of the outfit adds value to your post. Care to share?

"You think a South African Taxidermist would know better."

You may be surprised to learn this is not always the case. The labor force in the shop may have never been to a game farm, wildlife park or seen the animals in the wild. They may have little if any reference material to go on. And sadly they may not care. They are simply putting them together the way someone showed them to do it. (NOT ALL African taxidermists, but SOME)

When visiting a taxidermy outfit in Africa, always ask to see the mounts that are going out to the customers, not just the "show room work." Also ask to see reference material such as close up photos of live animals including details of the eyes, ears, noses etc.. After all of this, if you are satisfied, you should reduce the chance of any bad surprises.

"Oh well, it looks like I have to shoot another one."

This is a positive attitude

15 May 2008, 18:32

darkside

Taxidermist has been watching to many Bugs Bunny cartoons

Sorry about the mount but it can probably be fixed. Another reason to have the taxi done in the states

15 May 2008, 19:22

AKsheephunter

I second what Darkside said, I always have my trophies shipped home and have them done here, at least I can specify what/how and which forms I want for my trophies. That is a very nice Sprinkbok too...nice curl on top!

My 1st suggestion: good excuse to go back, you could even take a non-trophy to use the hide.
My 2nd suggestion: I'm sure someone will sell you a hide to get it redone, or find some one going over to get you one
My Last suggestion: Don't use them again...and let others know who is the taxi so others don't fall into the same boat.

15 May 2008, 22:19

CA Safari Hunter

I didnâ€™t want to name them but it was Bulls Eye Taxidermy.

I didnâ€™t want to name them because they have done a lot of work for my father and his friends. They have used them several different times and no one has ever had a problem. I would still recommend Bulls Eye and think they do great work. I was very happy with my other animals but my springbok (and my brothers) came home like this.

So I guess its back to South Africa for another one. Itâ€™s not the biggest one so Iâ€™ll just move this guy somewhere else when I get another one. When I go back I will probably use them again. Here is a couple more from the same shipment (so you can see more of their work).

I wish I can show you my brotherâ€™s baboon and vervet monkey on a rock mount, but I donâ€™t have a picture of it.

16 May 2008, 03:47

fredj338

Yep, too straight up. downside is you had to pay fo rhte mount, upside, you get to take another!

16 May 2008, 05:30

Bwanna

I like that warthog mount. I would probably be okay using them again. I think the issue might be that an amature (learner) taxidermist did the spingbok. That would be a species a taxidermist would assign for learning purposes. Talk to them, maybe they'll give you something to make it up on the next order.

16 May 2008, 06:43

Bob in TX

I would get them to make it right. You should have posted this in the taxidermy section.....

You would get more professional feedback.

Bob

16 May 2008, 10:14

Andrew McLaren

I have alerted Craig [of Bulls Eye] about this discussion. I'm sure that he will do the right thing in this case.

maybe the moderators want to move this to the Taxidermy forum?

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

16 May 2008, 17:25

Cunningham

Its the look when the Springbok realized his time was about to be over.

17 May 2008, 13:30

Andrew McLaren

quote:
Originally posted by CA Safari Hunter:
I didnâ€™t want to name them but it was Bulls Eye Taxidermy.

I didnâ€™t want to name them because they have done a lot of work for my father and his friends. They have used them several different times and no one has ever had a problem. I would still recommend Bulls Eye and think they do great work. I was very happy with my other animals but my springbok (and my brothers) came home like this.

So I guess its back to South Africa for another one. Itâ€™s not the biggest one so Iâ€™ll just move this guy somewhere else when I get another one. When I go back I will probably use them again. Here is a couple more from the same shipment (so you can see more of their work).

QUOTE]

CA Safari Hunter,

Congratulations again on a fine trophy.

In my prevoius posting it was predicted that Craig would "...do the right thing....". IMHO he did. Here is the full text of a message I've received from him:[I have blanked out your real name, as it is not my decision to make it public to the forum.]

[QUOTE] Andrew,

Cant seem to be able to sign up for this blog thing. If you have time, please send in that there were indeed two apprentice taxidermists working for me and they were doing the springbucks, impalas and blesbucks in the shop. I honestly must have overlooked them (I travel overseas alot) and admit the ears arent right. Attached is a photo of how it should look. Tell the guy (who's name is **** *****) that our reputation is impotant to me, and as a result I will pay you to get him one of those 14" springbucks running around there in the Free State and do the taxidermy for free on it.
This is positive criticism which we appreciate, and to any taxidermist this re-iterates how important it is that one checks the mounts thoroughly before they leave the shop.

Regards,
Craig

I know Craig well enough, by having my own taxidermy done there and sending my friend's and some clients' to him, to know he is a man of his word. When you get to South Africa again, please fit in a few days to come and hunt a real free range springbok at Craigs, cost. I will do the skinning and Craig the taxidermy!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

Andrew McLaren
Professional Hunter and Hunting Outfitter since 1974.

http://www.mclarensafaris.com The home page to go to for custom planning of ethical and affordable hunting of plains game in South Africa!
Enquire about any South African hunting directly from andrew@mclarensafaris.com

After a few years of participation on forums, I have learned that:

One can cure:

Lack of knowledge – by instruction. Lack of skills – by practice. Lack of experience – by time doing it.

One cannot cure:

Stupidity – nothing helps! Anti hunting sentiments – nothing helps! Put-‘n-Take Outfitters – money rules!

My very long ago ancestors needed and loved to eat meat. Today I still hunt!

17 May 2008, 14:14

375 fanatic

Andrew does Graig sell cars aswell i wish we had a few car dealers like that

17 May 2008, 15:39

peterdk

what a classy outfit, craig did the right thing there and should be commended for it.

best regards

peter

18 May 2008, 10:28

prof242

All I can say about the final result of all this is WOW. Hope to see more people of this ilk.

18 May 2008, 11:04

graybird

Sounds like a win-win situation!!

18 May 2008, 14:39

Blair338/378

quote:
Originally posted by L. David Keith:
Looks like a Kangaroo listening to mamma call him for dinner. I'd be unhappy with this one CA. You have every right to complain. Sorry about this.
LDK

A kangaroo?

18 May 2008, 14:57

Karoo

Just to throw a spanner in the works, I live on a ranch with a few hundred springbok and have definitely seen them with that pose.
Most typically, though, it is a young animal (the image that immediately sprang to mind) that has suddenly becomes aware of you when trotting past your position at 50 yards and not sure what you are.
That said, it is not common for a big male to do that and also (in my opinion) not an attractive pose for a mount.www.graaffreinetsafaris.co.za

19 May 2008, 02:37

CA Safari Hunter

Craig and Bulls Eye Taxidermy have done a lot of work for my father and his friends and everyone has always been happy. I just wasnâ€™t sure about the springbok. I wanted to make sure before I talked to him. Websites like this are a great source of information.

Thanks for the invite. They are a cool little animal to go after and I canâ€™t wait to do it again. Hopefully I can make it around 2010.