Heading to Africa this summer, current plan is to focus on pictures and then bring back a zebra skin to be made into a rug and some backskins to be made into things over time.

Who would be good for this type of work? Any particular shop focus on animal rugs/tanning?

Thanks

Jerry Huffaker, who posts here, and his wife are outstanding. I have used 3 different "riggers" over the years over the years and he is the best by far.

Further, I can tell you who to avoid also.

If you are not bringing back trophies, why are you just bringing back backskins? But, that being the case, Dian Cooper at Brushcountry Studios in the Houston area should be able to fix you up.

While Rocky and I talk about my mounts, my wife and Dian conspire to spend almost as much money on pillows and "accents" whatever the hell that is.

Dian does first rate work; I've never been disappointed that my wife and Dian got together.

Leave the back skins there. I made a huge mistake bringing them home.

quote:

Originally posted by LittleJoe:
Leave the back skins there. I made a huge mistake bringing them home.

Total waste to bring them home.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by LittleJoe:
Leave the back skins there. I made a huge mistake bringing them home.

Total waste to bring them home.

+1 on this, waste of money.

Is it that expensive to get the skins tanned & shipped? I would have thought it would be a lot cheaper than mounting & shipping heads.

BTW I have seen Sam's zebra which he got done in S.Africa and it is really nice. If I remember correctly it was also a lot cheaper to get done there & ship.

I'll do rugs in Africa, but generally not other taxidermy. Did it once. The rugs aren't of the same quality either, but are hugely cheaper: usually felt-backed with no edging; as opposed to a carpet backed rug with leather edging.

That said, I kind of like a kudu rug with a green felt backing, or a wildebeast with a black felt backing.

Zebras are a special case. I'd spring for the full treatment.

It took me three OK rugs before I sent one to a specialty rugger to see what all the fuss was about. Well, the difference is remarkable.

As your zebra rug will be the main piece of taxidermy work from your safari, do yourself a favor and send it to Mary Hilliard Krueger, who posts here.

+1

Bring all trophy's back salted, you can sell what you don't want to mount to make up some money spent. Many taxidermist are always looking to have spare capes and many others looking to learn on.