I added these photos to my original hunt report but I figured it would get lost in the shuffle.

My trophies made it to Arizona in just less than 4 months from Namibia. All I can say is that Omuramba did an outstanding job on them. Due to Gert's attention to detail they were near perfect. I met my Taxidermist Jim Hartstock of Southwest Wildlife Art, to open the crates when they arrived. Jim has done a large amount of African animals and hunted Africa himself. When we got finished unpacking and inspecting the trophies Jim flatly stated that these were the best prepared trophies he has ever received from Africa. The hides were very clean and salted thoroughly. None of the horn bases were discolored or burned. This is due to Gert using hydrogen peroxide instead of boiling the skulls.
All of the skulls were almost ready to make euro mounts out of them straight out of the box. IFN in Namibia did a great job as well as the team from Coppersmith in Las Angeles, California. They both kept me in formed of the progress as things changed. It is a perfect end to a perfect trip.
All of the hides are off to the tannery. I can’t wait to hang them in our home!
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Great post. Who did you hunt with in Namibia and did they recommend IFM. I'm looking at hunting Namibia in 09 or 10 but considering having my mounts done in AZ. Thanks

Hello Leftcoast

Check out my hunt report: Our Family adventure in Namibia July-Aug 2008.

It has all the information on our hunt. Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Lottfan:


When we got finished unpacking and inspecting the trophies Jim flatly stated that these were the best prepared trophies he has ever received from Africa. The hides were very clean and salted thoroughly. None of the horn bases were discolored or burned. This is due to Gert using hydrogen peroxide instead of boiling the skulls.
All of the skulls were almost ready to make euro mounts out of them straight out of the box.

I will agree trophies coming out of Namibia are almost always the best prepared but, Your skulls were boiled and then placed in peroxide. The only way to get the meat off of them is to boil, rot them or use beetles not peroxide. Peroxide is used for whitening the bone after the meat has been boiled off and the skull is degreased. You also think that the horns have not been discolored but they have, horns are not naturally black. The dark color comes from the grease while boiling or in some cases they are painted or oiled because they were discolored during boiling.

I am sorry but you are incorrect JP. I witnessed the process they used. They did not boil a single skull. They have a large vat of fresh water that the skulls soak in. Every two days the vat is drained and filled with fresh water. The crew pulls the skulls out and hand scrapes the skulls down to bone. They had quite an array of hooks and wires for the sinus and brain cavities. When virtually all the flesh is scraped off then they submerge the skulls in the peroxide. All of the horns have a coating of linseed oil on them before they ship. They did not boil any skulls from the hunters that were there before us. Gert stopped boiling skulls due to the damage to the base of the horns and the discoloration of the skulls. He has many European clients that only do skull mounts. That is what prompted him to change his method.
I was told that many skulls get badly discolored because many outfits do not change the water between animals. The water becomes saturated with fat.

Very nice!

You stated," None of the horn bases were discolored or burned. This is due to Gert using hydrogen peroxide instead of boiling the skulls." This is not how it is done but after reading your second post I now understand you left out a step. In my first post I did state two other possible methods by which skulls are done, rot or some call it maceration and the other by beetles; they used maceration. I also stated that your horns look painted as they are not naturally black and in some cases they get painted or oiled. Your horns have a coating of linseed oil, this is a no no in taxidermy as it discolors your horns.

One last thing.... some could argue this and it will vary from agent to agent but for skulls/bone to enter the U.S., USDA requires them to have been boiled. Some say boiling is only for swine but the rules state hoof stock, this is what is required of my shop and this is what I go by.

I did ask them if they could with hold from oiling my horns after looking at the other trophies they had there. They stated that it was required, but could not explain why. Either way they came out looking good. My taxidermist explained how to get most of the oil out of the horns. They rub them down with dry dirt and then buff them with a rag. I have not done this yet but I will let you all know how it works. Thanks for the input JP.

Will got your pm thanks for the info.
once again wonderfull looking tropies,congratulations
matt