Taxidermy Info Request

[BnC 04]

Morning Folks

Heading over on a lion hunt and was wondering if anyone has any experiences
with a quality taxidermist that is good with cats in SA? Looking at doing a rug
and am weighing the options of having it just done there or back in the states. Thanks
to all for the help planning and such.

Nathan

 

[Diamondhitch]

You will probably be nowhere near them but Relive Africa Taxidermy in PE rivals the best NA has to offer. Travis DeVilles is active on some taxidermy forums and his taxidermy form sculpting is second to none. They have a big photo gallery on facebook.
Relive Africa Taxidermy (South Africa) - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Local Business | Facebook
They have the nicest Eland mounts I have seen, their Springbok wall pedistals display these hansom creatures better than any I have seen and more to your interest the lions are stunning. Needless to say I am impressed and inspired by their work.

Good luck on your Lion hunt!

 

[1ObsessedHunter]

If you decide to do it in the US look into Frank J. Zitz & Co. He's probably the finest taxidermist in the country. Have agreat trip!

 

[BnC 04]

I have looked at a few rug options and lifesize as well. Just thinking a rug would be more practical and easier to "fit in" amongst the other rugs.

Whats you opinion brother David?

Thanks guys for the info, I have sent out inquiries to a few taxi's that you folks have recommended.

 

[Buff-Buster]

A few more options:
In SA - Bullseye Taxidermy, in Vaalwater (Bull's Eye Taxidermy )
In the States: Brush Country Taxidermy in Houston (Home - Brush Country Studios Taxidermy & Specialty Gifts ) & B&B Taxidermy in Houston (Taxidermy of North American - African Mounts ). All do excellent work.

 

[davidt]

I would do the rug, to me that is the traditional style for a lion mount. I love how they look and I think it would be just as good as a bear rug.

 

[BnC 04]

I would do the rug, to me that is the traditional style for a lion mount. I love how they look and I think it would be just as good as a bear rug.

I agree. I think I could fit it in above the wolf or brown bear...Or your place

 

[redriver]

I always use Trans Africa Taxidermy and have always been happy. It is a regular stop for me on the way to the airport. They are very professional and send pics of mounts in progress. I have mounts from them that are 15 years old, still look great and have held together. Having said this I think very few taxidermists mount predators well. Lions, leopards, bears, wolves etc. If you were going to do a full mount I would bring it back to the US and let someone like Brush country, Wes Goode or Animal artistry do it.

 

[BnC 04]

Anybody out there have a lion/lioness rug done up that you might be willing to share a couple pics?

 

[BRICKBURN]

A few more options:
In SA - Bullseye Taxidermy, in Vaalwater (Bull's Eye Taxidermy )
..........

Three cats done by Bulls Eye.
(The Rooikat was not the focus of the picture. I cropped it from the background of another shot)

The Lions are NOT finished yet.

 

[ThomasBeaham]

BnC 04

If you decide to do a rug I would definitely contact Mary at Krueger's Creations Taxidermy
in Phoenix Arizona.

Their contact info: (623) 582-0237 and halflingrugger@cox.net

 

[Diamondhitch]

BnC 04

If you decide to do a rug I would definitely contact Mary at Krueger's Creations Taxidermy
in Phoenix Arizona.

Their contact info: (623) 582-0237 and halflingrugger@cox.net

Mary is world champion Chris Kruegers wife. He mounts the heads and she does the rugging. Hard to go wrong there.

 

[BnC 04]

Well still haven't made a decision on a Taxi service yet. I do think that with the possibility of the US closure on lion that having the lion done in SA would lead to undue stress to if it makes it back before the closure. Have sent out a few emails and made a couple calls to the folks rec. in the previous posts. Thanks for your opinions and thoughts on this and with the dates getting closer and closer seems like I will be picking our final choice very soon.

 

[Cliffy]

Buff Buster is correct I've had stuff done by Bullseye and it is the best I've ever seen from SA

 

[johnnyblues]

You want to see stunning work on cats?...Look at Dennis Harris Artistry of wildlife. The best.

 

[billc]

My son lioness is at relives now to be done in a full body mount. There cats make any other in SA look bad and was easy to pick them. There pictures on facebook matched the quality I seen when I stop at there shop. No other pictures I seen from other shops in SA even made me want to go to there shop.

If I was having my work done here in the states I would use wes good wildlife studios. If you don't mind waiting and want the best cat I would tell you phil soucy hands down the best cat guy but you will pay and wait.

What I have seen is the cats being done in the states must guys are putting way to much details in the body and they look nothing like a real cat in the wild anymore.

I think if I was doing a rug and not a full body mount I would bring it home to be done though.

 

[johnnyblues]

I always use Trans Africa Taxidermy and have always been happy. It is a regular stop for me on the way to the airport. They are very professional and send pics of mounts in progress. I have mounts from them that are 15 years old, still look great and have held together. Having said this I think very few taxidermists mount predators well. Lions, leopards, bears, wolves etc. If you were going to do a full mount I would bring it back to the US and let someone like Brush country, Wes Goode or Animal artistry do it.

Wes Goode is my man for sure. His pedestal work and habitat work is second to none.