Hi guys,

For my upcoming Safari, I can't really fit shoulder mounts for the animals I'm hoping to shoot. As such I thought I would do most as Skull mounts to save space and money.

Does anybody have photos of any of the following in skull mount that they can post to help me make up my mind.

kudu
impala
warthog
bush buck
springbuck
wildebbeast

I don't expect to take all of these but if anyone has them, or others I'd like to get an idea as my quarry list isn't set in stone.

thanks,

FB

FB,

Try a search on "trophy Rooms" I seem to remember Alf (?) post some pics of his place (a bar/den?) and that had some nice Kudu skulls in it amgonst other things...The were full skulls and were just leaned against the wall if I recall correctly..

I am probably going to go down this route too for the same reasons although I will get a shoulder mount or two of the smaller species; providing I get lucky of course!

Regards,

Pete

Hi Pete,

Must be getting close now?

I was thinking the same thing until I saw Bonaro's Kudu Pedastal.... That thing looks sooo good, I think I will do the Kudu as a shoulder mount and skull mount the little stuff.

I actually thought of just getting the skulls sent over uncut, and getting them on a jig and Cut at home. That way I can be sure they are done the way I want them, with a long nose on a sheild of my choice.

I should probably shoot them first though huh!!

Rgds,
FB

FB,

You seen a skull mount done on a pedestal?





I think they look quite good and is a bit "different".

I have only seen the above pictures of skulls done like this, but I think it would work particularly well with the smaller species of deer and antilope. I would like to get a couple of Roe on these, but I think I would prefer the long nose cut your talking about. I am also thinking a whole warthog skull might look good presented this way too?

Bushwear UK will custom do the shield and the base for these...

Talking of them, have you tried their shields? They use an oak laminated board that gives really good results...far better than the cheap £5 roe shields we tend to get from most places. You can specify solid oak to, but that would get very expensive very quick!

What sort of jig are you thinking of using for the skulls? I have a jig for roe but suspect it would be too small for much of your list?

Regards,

Pete

Hey Pete,

Not to sure about the pedestal skull mounts TBH. Perhaps it is because of the teeth still in. Reminds me of Skeletor Cartoons!!!

The thing is that I don't really ever shoot anything worth mounting so have virtually no experience of it!!! I have a couple of Roe but they are for sentimental reasons, and a niceish Fallow that was in the wrong place at the wrong time a couple of months ago.

I should imagine anything that would do a Red Stag would do the Antelope. I really like the idea of oak laminate.

I haven't thought of the Warty fella as a skull mount but a croc would be good like that. My Dad bought me a hat back from Oz, made out of croc leather. It had no teeth in the band so I always said I'd go get them myself... I don't think he ever really believed me!!

Have a nice weekend.
FB

FB,

I am not sure I like the teeth either, but they may look different when viewed from the front.

I was talking this over with a friend a while back who tried to cut down some of his larger African skulls to long nose cut and he said it was a job and a half as they were really tough...

I suppose the other thing is if you get the skulls whole, you can decide if you want to keep the teeth by viewing it first..there is no going back it the taxi has already cut it for you! I am 95% sure I would prefer a long nose cut on most skulls except the warthog which I want whole and with the lower jaw...The kudu might look better if whole too if it doesn't go on the wall..

Whats the old saying?: "I used to be indecisive, but now I am not sure!"

That sums how I feel at the moment!

Regards,

Pete

You need something to keep the space full between now and then!!!

FB

FB,

Are you planning on doing anything with the back skins such as rugs?

My main problem is space..i live in a small cottage with low walls..The only area I could get a shoulder mount kudu for instance is in the space above the stairs...I suppose thats where a pedestal mount would help?

Regards,

Pete

Hey Pete,

Not to sure about the back skins. I'd probably rather thake another animal than pay to get all the skins done. the only thing I was thinking of was if I could get some thick leather made. I have a guy here who makes really nice leather goods, and I thought a matching set of slips, and cartridge bags would be nice.

I am definately heading towards the pedestal mount for a Kudu though...

FB

Dear Fallow Buck

Just got back from Botswana where I took a 29" waterbuck and a 23" impala. I also brought my trophies back from last year which were a european skull mount kudu/impala and a kudu skin rifle slip. I can always email you a photo tomorrow but I havent worked out how to post a picture here yet.
We saw a nice 52" kudu down on the Limpopo and if you wanted a pedestal mount it you would need a very heavy stable base or it would be constantly falling over.
I have the same space problems with trophies and at present there is a big pile of antlers and horns sitting in the front room waitng for a decision.

Regards

Mark

Nice skull mounts one the pedistal

They are nice skull mounts, nice and white and they look cool. I think a European mount is thought of as the top half of the skull with the teeth cut off. I have a couple whitened skulls 2 white tail deer, and a black bear. I think the bear needs to be the whole skull. I really like the radically cut deer skulls with just a little bit of the skull and nasal area left, I have an acquaintance who does black forest wood carving and will have one of the white tails mounted the European way on a nice hand carved shield.

the chef

Pete E,

I love your two pedistal mounts, nicely done.

I'm due to get my skull mount (Whitetail) teeth & all back in a month or two, should give me time to fasion the pedistal section to add to my walnut plaque.

Thanks for sharing your unique skull mounts-Ron

Wildebeast makes a great skull mount. But, reconcider the Kudu, it's such a magestic animal. I'm very glad I had my Kudu done in a shoulder mount.

Hey Mark,

I think you can get hollow based pedestals which can be filled with sand or lead shot to give them weight. I'm not big on the taxxidermy but I got the info 2nd hand. It would be great if you could post the photo's of your mounts and gun Slip.

I got confirmation yesterday that I will get a chance at Nyala, as we were not sure if we had a permit for this season where we are hunting. So I think the Kudu might wait till next year unless I'm faced with a monster!!!

Who knows what will happen? That's why we like to hunt and fish hey??

FB

Incedentally,

Anyone hat wants to cut their own antelope trophies and finds them tough to get through could try the local butcher if he has a bow saw. We used to ese them ion Cyprus to cut Bulls skulls in half at easter.

If they go through that they will go through anything!!

FB

Fallow:

I have skull mounts and shoulder mounts for kudu, gemsbok,warthog and hartebeeste. I don't know how to post photos, so shoot me your email and I will send. I have impala, wildebeeste and springbok, but they are both shoulder mounts (whereas I have one of each of the othes).

FB,
You may want to consider getting the skins tanned out there. it will be a fraction of the price of UK but should be good quality.
Ed

Check my "Trophies from Namibia" Post. There is a nice Fallow deer across the room that does not show in these pictures.

AnotherAZWriter--to to http://www.photobucket.com on the web and I think you will find their instructions clear and easy to follow. I did it just last week and had no trouble at all.

just got mine in from LifeForm Taxidermy in RSA. I went with shield mounts due to the cost and living in a small house. I put a "Hero" picture of me and my animal under each mount to help people know what each animal really looked like. The more attractive of my two impala went to my office and I still need a photo of it.

Warthog:



Impala:



Blue Wildebeest:



I haven't decided what to do with the wildebeest and impala skins yet...

Rick,

Those look great! I like the "Hero" picture. May copy the idea. Good Show!



As to the original question ... I like the skull mounts of the Wildebeast, Warthog, and Impala.

Must tell you that the Gemsbok and Kudu make impressive and regal shoulder mounts on pedestals. They really deserve such mounting ... they're beautiful. Probably the only other large mounts from Africa I'd ever have done might be Buf and Eland. (And like everyone else from North America, I'd love to have a Royal Bull Elk.)

Here are some pictures of some great European Mounts. They aren't mine. I think I actually took the pictures off this site...maybe not though. I copied them for inspiration as I am having 7 European mounts done myself. (I am a teacher and don't have much money...I'd rather spend my money on another trip to Africa than shoulder mounts) If they are yours, great mounts.

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/pf.php?fid=53904

Nothing original and not too timely but here below are some Euro shields that Life Form in White River, RSA did for me.