Here's a lifesize mount produced by Dennis at The Artistry of Wildlife.
Enjoy,
LDK

Another Bushbuck:


www.artistryofwildlife.com

Lynx attack (Caracal)

Close up:

Bushbuck - Lynx close up:



Check out Dennis's studio at: www.artistryofwildlife.com

Lynx attack (Caracal)


A bushbuck back scratcher!

I think I would put my money on the bushbuck.

I guess with the price of lions going up this is the next best thing.

All kiddding aside, cool idea for a mount, and great detail.

I will be posting photos soon of a pack of spring hares taking down a buffalo calf

Sorry, Just in a funny mood I guess.

G, you wouldn't believe how many Bushbuck are killed by Caracal's. Big tom's can take a toll on them, even mature rams. When I'm "lynx" hunting, I climb to the highest peak overlooking riverine; and listen just after daylight. If there's a Caracal patroling down below, every Bushbuck in the valley will begin to bark; and Bushbuck sound like dogs when they bark. A single bark separated by an average of 30 seconds or so. Once I hear barking, it's showtime!

David

L. David, I am sure you are right, It just struck me as funny for some reason. I am sure it takes a few tries for them to perfect the kill. It would be great to see a video of it.

Grafton,

You weren't alone with your thoughts. Chris and I were thinking along the same lines. We thought maybe a young Bushbuck could be taken down by a Caracal.

Thank you David, for your first hand knowledge...great trophy picture...fine cat!

One of the many thrills in life, for me, is the knowledge I gain on a daily basis!

(old picture with older camera and poor lighting...more the size of prey I am used to thinking of)


Kind Regards,
Mary

I am rarely critical but I am going to chime in this time. The finish work on the mounts is fantastic but the week part of the bushbuck/caracal mt is the expression on the bushbucks face. If that cat was leaping on me I would have that "oh Shit" face. I would also be interested to study the hunting methods of the Caracal on the bushbuck. Is it a throat kill or a bite to the back of the neck that is the mortal blow.

Sorry to hyjack your picture thread L. David. That was not my intent.

But since we are talking about cat hunting behavior now I have some thoughts. I have seen countless mounts with cats (mostly leopards) leaping down onto prey animals. I have no reference for this being correct in nature. The mounts look cool but it does not jive with what I know about the way cats hunt. I have seen footage of leopards chasing squirrels and monkeys through the trees but I have never seen footage or heard a first hand account of a leopard or any other cat leaping down from a branch etc..onto a big game prey animal. (treed cats jumping on dogs does not count!) Not saying it is impossible, I know they are opportunists, I just have not seen it. Perhaps someone can chime in and set me straight. Any thoughts?

From everything I have seen/read, cats either stalk/ambush on the ground or they run the prey down and catch it or some combination of the two. Check out this short video of a leopard hunt: (I believe this is typical)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhLKNQyVXI

I think more realistic mounts would have the cat on the bottom and the prey on the top. The vulnerable side of the above bushbuck (throat) would be best attacked from below, not above. Perhaps the one above is young and has not learned this yet, or maybe he is just trying to hitch a ride?

Dennis, your mounts are great and I am not trying to be critical. The "scene" just got me thinking.

I would think a caracal would have to clamp down hard on the trachea and not let go to kill an adult bushbuck.

I know bobcats will kill by biting the throat of the prey just to the rear of the preys jawbone or they bite through the top of the skull/neck.

The following comes from Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide To The Mammals of Southern Africa (regarding caracal behavior):

"Stalks its prey as close as possible and then relies on a direct pounce or short, fast run. The caracal hunts mainly small-to medium sized mammals, ranging from mice to antelope up to the size of bushbuck ewes. It also catches birds and reptiles. In some small-stock farming areas it is considered to be a major problem because of its depredations on sheep and goats."

The Audubon Field Guide To African Wildlife says: "the caracal regularly kills antelopes its own size and larger such as the Mountain Reedbuck and the Springbok, suffocating them with a grip on the throat or muzzle."

Jonas Brothers taxidermy had a mount many years ago of a leopard jumping on the back of a bongo. They sold it in their supply catalog for years. Pretty much the same as the caracal jumping on the back of the bushbuck. I never could buy into that idea either.

All, your points are well taken but your overlooking one important issue: the Client. Most of the time it's the client that tells the Taxidermist what position they want. It could be something out of their imagination, a painting, book/movie or suggestion posed from a taxidermy catalog or available space. As for expression, rarely do I see Feline, K-9, Bear or other predators correctly mounted with killing expressions. The same can be said for the prey. However, again we come to the Client. How many wives want to look at their husbands trophies exhibiting a "I'm about to kill you" look? Given a choice, most kind hearted women (and remember guys; we all have a Mother) would prefer a calm look, such as a resting Leopard over a kill expression. Given the task of "mount him killing a Duiker" and we will most likely get the casual looking mount as per usual. Secondary; knowledge of the species and how their many expressions should reveal each pose. Many can criticize others, but would fail in a likewise competition.

As for Caracal's; they love birds. They are experts at stalking the plains birds during nesting season. Capable of leaping to incredible heights, their swiftness, agility and keen use of their elongated "fangs" make them noting more than a miniature Saber tooth "Tiger." A big male can take down an adult ram Bushbuck. I have seen their kill sights. We caught a young male two years ago along the Fish River killing grown Sheep; and he was less than a year old! Most all cats will kill by crushing the trachea, thereby suffocating the prey. I have seen scars on old Bushbuck that gave me the impression they were attacked from the rear, but escaped. Most solitary cats will attempt to tackle larger prey and wrestle it to the ground. And most are ambush hunters. My intent was to post pictures for all to enjoy.
Regards,
David

quote:

My intent was to post pictures for all to enjoy.

You succeeded. I appreciate the post and your first hand knowledge on the subject matter.

Most mountian lions kill from a bite to the back of the neck. They will also kill from the front of the neck but this back neck bight is the reason they are the most successful predators in the world. You are right that Caracal specialize in birds. There was a video on a television hunting show just a few months ago of a leopard that had been resting in a tree. He noticed that something had scared a herd of impala that were trotting past. He ran down the limb and down the trunk. Halfway down the trunk he lept and killed the impala. This was the only film I have ever seen of a leopard not killing from a ground stalk.

LDK,
I understand what you mean about customer requests. So often my clients won't listen to my advice about thier mounts. I can't tell you how many times over my career a client has told me later they should have listened to me.

A fellow just posted this great caracal clip on another AR forum. Thought some may like to view it here.

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=IrE35AVJWYE

Fantastic mounts.


This is a video of a leopard jumping from a tree to kill its prey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0OdSALONG4&feature=related

StormsGSP, cool video. I have never seen that before.

That top mount is beautiful.

Good shows guys, thanks for posting. Grafton, that is one cool Caracal video!
David