I have a customer for the first time that is going on an african hunt and i have done pretty much everything that we can possess in the USA but i havent gotten into African yet. Just curious on how much differance ther is between mounting whitetail compared to kudu's, Bongos, Duiker's....etc. Any input would be great. This is a great customer and i want to make sure that i have a little background before jumping into anything over my head. He is going after an elephant also and i am a little curious about that. Does the guide usuall salt the hides? do they come raw frozen? Any help would be great
Thanks,
Ryan
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If you've never done a cow, then you can't appreciate the words "NO STRETCH". African hides are extremely tough and much of the time, the processors over there delight in taking a machete to the hides before they send them. I've gotten animals with shots that the hunters never made and I'm sure the shipper pulled the better hide and sent my hunter trash. I've gotten life size with only 3 legs or hooves missing. I got a kudu with the entire eye orbit gone and it's tough to find a kudu running around in this part of the world for a replacement.
Make VERY SURE that you look at the price lists of other shops doing African work. Don't be tempted to charge less because you've never done them before. They charge that much for a very good reason and you'll earn every penny that you charge.
....In forms! You will have to fit almost everything, that means cutting and rebuilding most, if not all, the forms you use. It's not that the suppliers in this country have bad forms! There just isn't the variety in the size and turns that you and I expect when we work with North American game animals.
A kudu comes with mighty short hair that covers no flaws! With whitetail, at least our northern whitetail, close is often close enough. The hair hides the problems. With African game, that won't work.
If you can get your client to take good measurements it will really help. Also try to get him to insist on complete skulls, not just skull plates and horns. This makes head modification easier and horn alignment easier to get right.
When you get to the tanning, make sure you use a tanner with a reputation for exceptional african work. Not every tanner is capable of handling African game properly.
NO, they do not come raw frozen! Are you "sure" that you're ready to work with this kind of thing? I'd suggest you buy some capes and horns and try to put a few of the African game heads together, before you commit to his safari work.
most of the time! occasoinally a good outfitter will send good hides
find the highest price guy in your area and charge 10% more! good money but you will work for it.
.
I've done several and thank god most of the capes were in decent condition. But like George said, little if no stretch and big junks of hide missing. They really do not care much over there whether they leave 3 inches of hide around the base of the horns. As long as they can skin the animal fast who cares. Get ready for a lot of hide repair and form alterations. I have yet to find one single african form that would fit andywhere close to what I need. No matter how many measurements you take and order the closest form, you will not get out of form alterations. Hope you like cutting and sewing.