Gentlemen:
I recieved my Zebra rug last year from our safari in Zimbabwe in 2000 and it semmed a little stiff and crackly and wouldnt lay flat on the floor.It kind of gathers up in spots. I took it back to my taxidermist and showed him the problem and he said it needed restretched.I also asked him why the hide was some what stiff and crackly because I thought the hide would be soft and pliable like some of the deer hides I have seen and he told me that was not the case with Tanning African hides .The back skin of my Eland is very soft and pliable ,so what gives? Can I get my Zebra redone? If so,will it damage the hide? Who would you recommend ? And what would it cost? I know that he sent the hides to Texas to be tanned , but I don't know to who. I also have another set of hides coming in from RSA in the next few months with another Zebra that my wife shot and I don't want this one messed up if that is the case.My head mounts that he did are very nice except for my Cape Bufflo wich is cracking around the hide meets the horns. The hide seems to have pulled awy or shrunk very minutely. He said that was an easy repair . Is this guy yanking my chain? Maybe I need to find another taxadermist.I'm sorry about rambling on like this but I definetly would appreciate any help you gentlemen could give me.
Thank You
Paul Kawczk
Big Prairie, Ohio
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I am very experienced with African game.....if you are interested call 1-410-827-6933
From the front shoulders, to the tail, a zebra hide is covered with a layer of cartalage. If all of that cartalage is not removed, the zebra will be stiff as plywood. You cant tan cartalage.
Does any taxadermist out there, or individualhave a Buffalo or Large Deer Mount. I am bldg Log House, want for over fireplace, but I don't kill. Nothing against it, I just couldn't do it.