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Bow hunting Africa taxidermy - A simplified guide to the taxidermy process

From hunt to home: A step-by-step breakdown

After you’ve successfully hunted your trophy animals in Africa, the next step is preserving them for years to come. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the taxidermy process:

  1. Skinning and Preparation:
  • Immediate action: The animal’s skin is carefully removed as soon as possible.
  • Parting ways: The skin is divided into sections:
    • Cape: Includes the face, ears, and neck.
    • Skull: Retained with horns attached.
    • Back skin (Optional): Can be tanned for a smaller display.

 

  1. Curing and drying:
  • Salting: The skin is salted to preserve it.
  • Drying: The salted skin is dried to remove moisture.
  1. Taxidermist’s Touch:
  • Consultation: You’ll discuss your desired mount style with the taxidermist.
  • Mounting: The taxidermist shapes the form, applies the tanned skin, and adds finishing touches like eyes and hair.
  • Export permits: Necessary paperwork is processed for international shipping.

 

  1. Shipping and Customs:
  • Crating: The mounted trophy is carefully packed for shipping.
  • Customs clearance: The trophy is cleared through customs in both the exporting and importing countries.
  • Delivery: Your trophy is shipped to your home address.

Key considerations for your bow hunting Africa taxidermy

Before your African bow hunting adventure even begins, you should consider taxidermy. Several crucial factors can significantly impact the skinning process.

First, decide how and where you want to display your trophies. Remember, a magnificent kudu trophy can easily reach six feet from its chest to the tip of its horns.

Next, consider the animal species. Some animals, like steenbok, duiker, bushbuck, and nyala, are so inherently beautiful that life-size mounts are often the best choice.

Early planning is key. Before your hunt, determine your desired mount style. Once skinned, a cape cannot be repurposed for a different mount.

By following these guidelines and working closely with our skilled taxidermist, you can ensure that your trophy becomes a stunning and enduring memento of your hunting experience.