The fact that the incident took place in New Hampshire, and that the Waterbuck had been dead for over a year, was what really caught me off guard. I received my shipment of last years Trophy's a few days ago, and had promply hung them in my study. All were secured to the wall through solid studs, except for the Waterbuck, in which I used a drywall anchor due to the lack of a stud in that location. All looked great, but I was still a little concerned about the wall anchor securing the Waterbuck to the wall. Two day's passed, and the Majestic Rowland Ward Waterbuck, my most prized trophy, was still on the wall. While admiring it, I noticed that it was slightly angled to the left just a "smidge". Well, that "smidge" adjustement was all it took. Off comes the Waterbuck from Nine feet up, and attacks me with a full frontal assault. Using my hands to keep the rabid Waterbuck from smashing me directly in the face, I fall back and smash into my custom carved elephant table, which sends wood splinters in all directions. There I am, wrestling with this Waterbuck in a pile of broken debris, and hoping that his horns have not punctured me. I finally get the animal off of me and get to my feet to access the damage. Hand painted glass lamp, shattered. Ivory figurines and carvings, a few small nicks and scratches. Oriental rug, two one inch holes where the horns punctured through. Back of my head where it smashed into the now cracked table, three inch long cut. Waterbuck, no damage thank God. After spending about an hour cleaning up the mess, I patched the dings and dents in the wall, and re-hung the Waterbuck with a four inch lug bolt through an actual stud this time. Needless to say, I realize now that I unessarily provoked the Waterbuck into this attack, due to my carelesness, and take complete responsibility. I guess that Beautiful animal will always have the last laugh on me.

yep Africa is danger and expensive but look on the bright side - try to imagine if that was a buff or ele - you are one lucky guy

that's funny

Guess you will have to go back to Africa to replace the things that got broken!!!!

Maybe is is something about mounted Waterbucks, but mine has taken two nose dives off the wall. Only damage has been a horn popped off and a hell of a ding in the wood floor. First time was from a drywall anchor giving way and the second was from a broken bolt head. Both times I too was making minor placement adjustments.

Fellows let this be a lesson to you...always approach Waterbuck carefully no matter how long they have been dead!

Perry

MAU MAU,

Glad the waterbuck made it through unscathed...but, sorry to hear about the lamp, table, rug and your head!

Any chance you could post a few pics? A Rowland Ward waterbuck is not to be missed!

I am in New Hampshire as well rest assured I will keep my eyes opened for any rogue waterbucks....dead or alive.

Regards,
Dave

Be careful otherwise you might be stuffed and hung alongside the waterbuck !!

my drywall has 5/8 plywood behind it for goor ancorage

Can't wait to see the film at 10!

On more serious note, glad you didn't get impaled. -TONY

Although you had a bit of bad luck, the story is actually very funny, and will be with you for the rest of your life. It also sounds like you should have put an extra insurance shot into that Waterbuck!

I completely agree about the Insurance shot, but at this point, I think we have come to an agreement, and will leave each other alone. I would like to post a photo, but I am still in the Stone Ages without a host site for my photos.

Hmmmm.....haunted waterbuck......

It is hell when one breaks loose. My Red Stag fell last week while the taxidermist was here delivering a turkey mount. We wanted to adjust an area that has only antlered game.

Smashed figurines...$2500
re-upholstered Oriental Rug...$500
trip to the emergency room, after deductible...$1500

Waterbuck's headgear unscathed...PRICELESS!

It's just a crying shame we don't have a video to watch--

You should have given the Waterbuck an insurance shot before you mounted him

Good story, Had a good laugh.

Your story just brightened my day and had me in stiches!!

I keep looking above my couch and wondering if my blue wildebeest is going to implement the same tactics some evening while I'm streched out about half asleep.

Thanks for posting!

Thanks, I needed that!

PS: I'm glad You the the Waterbuck are OK.

Not as serious, but in college I went to a school that had a series of great heads in the classroom. Two that were very impressive were the eland and the moose. Both of these were over my personal favorite spot to sit in class. One day, just about the time I fell asleep in the mammal habitat class, and earthquake ripped through the town. That great big moose and eland began to wiggle on the wall and plaster and dust beagn to fall on me. I made a mad dash to the door and the moose crushed my seat. The city kids just looked in amazement, and it was a good thing they were not sitting where I was, because only a big redneck biologist would have been able to make it out of there.

That old saw is still true. . .
It's the dead ones that get up and kill you!