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Life-Size African Game

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14 June 2004, 09:32
Sevens
Life-Size African Game
I'm have become bent on getting a life-size mounted animal. For the sheep and ibex this is no problem, but I can't seem to find a plains game animal that stands out as being a good canidate for a life-size mount. I've seen the impala and tiny antelopes, but I'd like something that would be truely impressive in a trophy room without being too large. (I have never been to Africa and find that some game animals appear far bigger than they really are, like a nyala.) Can anyone give me some suggestions and maybe some pictures? Dumb question, but I really want an impressive plains game life-size mount.

Sevens
14 June 2004, 09:37
retreever
Sevens,

The Nyala really is not to big... He would be no bigger then a 200lb White-tail..Impressive with his mane and harp shaped horns with white ivory tips and orange legs...

Mike
14 June 2004, 09:41
Brooks Carmichael
The Nyala or bontebuck would get my vote for life size when it came to Afrian Game. Sable would be another but, it is about twice the size of a Nyala. For small antelope the Springbuck is quite a beautiful animal.
14 June 2004, 10:11
hhmag
A few suggestions...






14 June 2004, 10:11
RHS
My vote would go to a Limpopo Bushbuck. Beautiful spiral-horned antelope with attitude...I leave in 9 days for the Limpopo River area to try my luck at collecting one.
14 June 2004, 10:34
Matt Norman
If your checkbook is deep enough, a bongo is impressive too.
14 June 2004, 13:15
BFaucett
Quote:

Poster: RHS

My vote would go to a Limpopo Bushbuck. Beautiful spiral-horned antelope with attitude...I leave in 9 days for the Limpopo River area to try my luck at collecting one.





Bushbuck may not be flashy but they're great to hunt. Smaller cousin to the Nyala. If you don't have a large house, with lots of room, then their size lends them well to a full mount. Even so, I only did a shoulder mount.



RHS: Good luck and good shooting on your Bushbuck hunt. I think you're going to really like hunting them. I've only hunted them once, but I want to do it again!



-Bob F.









Limpopo Bushbuck on the Limpopo River.

Limpopo Province, South Africa 2002
14 June 2004, 13:22
Kyler Hamann
I'm with RHS. If you are trying to save space and want a good looking animal in a reasonable price range it's hard to beat a bushbuck. I took this one in Zimbabwe two months ago:




I can't afford the space or the taxidermy for a full body mount, but the head mount will be proudly displayed.

If the hunt price was no problem and you wanted an antelope on the small side I'd vote for a lesser kudu.

Regards,
Kyler
14 June 2004, 13:29
Slingster
A lesser kudu would also seem to fit the bill, though I agree that the nyala or bongo is a more dramatic full body trophy.
14 June 2004, 14:50
Kathi
IMO life-size mounted bongo and mountain nyala rival even lion/leopard mounts. The two most beautiful plainsgame animals of Africa.

Kathi

kathi@wldtravel.com










14 June 2004, 15:33
MLindsay
Hello Sevens,

I have pictures in the trophy room section that shows several life size mounts. I have bongo,sable, 2 bushbucks,several of the small antelopes and a half mount eastern cape kudu. My favorite by far is my bongo!!!

Mike
14 June 2004, 15:59
fredj338
Definetly a Nyala or any of the cats, are great full mounts. I only wish I had the space & money to do more full mounts.
14 June 2004, 16:04
JohnTheGreek
Have to agree that a Bongo or Mtn. Nyala is about as good as it gets in a lifesize mount...BUT... if one is being frugal with one's space (and money) a full mount bushbuck is also gorgeous. I wish I had full mounted mine.

Best,

JohnTheGreek
15 June 2004, 02:12
Die Ou Jagter
I agree the Bongo, Mt Nyala and Lesser Kudu are probably the best, but the COST. For "regular" plains game I think the Common Nyala is the nicest and whished I had mine done life size , but due to space limitations I have my Limpopo Bushbuck life size and have no regrets it is great. Some have spoken against the Pygmy antelope but I think the only way to do them is life size. I am awaiting a peice with 7 of them life size with room to add three more.
15 June 2004, 06:44
Sevens
Well, you guys don't surprise me. I figured you would say bushbuck and nyala. Lesser kudu had come to mind, but where do I get one? I had originally planned that if I was to hunt nyala, I'd get a pedestal mount with a bushbuck. I then went to see some fellow hunter's (house sized) trophy rooms and all three of them had their nyalas shoulder mounted. I was quite disappointed to see how small they are, but this may have to do with when you display them next to 100-300+ head of game things are bound to look small.

Sevens