Warthog Tusk Plaques - Do It Yourself

[accipiter]

Warthog Tusk Plaques: $25 plus $10 shipping

Additional Materials needed: Glue (I used a two part epoxy glue), Steel hanger (I removed an extra hanger from one of my marriage photo frames)


Before leaving for my first safari, I realized there were additional measures and paperwork for importing swine products (e.g. warthog, bushpig) into the USA. After doing some research, an import broker told me that there are no problems with warthog tusks - in other words, they do not require a separate crate and additional paperwork. So I decided to just have the tusks sent home. This was the first African animal I harvested.

After exploring the internet, I found a reproduction panel at Van Dykes Taxidermy Supply. I was suspicious at first because it is not real wood. I also wondered if it would be light, like the weight of styrofoam. My concerns were assuaged when the panel arrived - it looks very nice and it is very heavy (about 3 pounds). It is also very thick, with a minimum thickness of 1" and a maximum thickness of 2".


The panel itself is about 16 inches in height:

Here are the tusks. I think this is the first time I ever measured a hunting trophy - the largest tusk is 8 inches. I was concerned the tusks from this female warthog were a little small for the panel.

Here is the steel hanger I hammered into the back of the panel:

 

[accipiter]

Here is the final product. Considering an authentic hand-carved panel costs about $350, I think this came out great for a do-it-yourself job for $35. I used epoxy glue to mount the base of each tusk to the panel.

Here is another view on a whitetail hide. Since it is 3 pounds, I will need to mount this into a stud.

 

[Odinsraven]

Brilliant idea - thanks for that !

 

[CAustin]

Interesting!

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello Accipiter,

What is the contact information to their web site ?



I wish to buy some of these for the misc tusks (From both California and South Africa) that I have in a box here.

Thanks,
Velo Dog.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Very European style.

Glad you got it together. Congrats.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Thanks for sharing - where can we order, ie website.

dt

 

[accipiter]

Hello Accipiter,

What is the contact information to their web site ?



I wish to buy some of these for the misc tusks (From both California and South Africa) that I have in a box here.

Thanks,
Velo Dog.

These can be purchased at Van Dyke's (www.vandykestaxidermy.com) or McKenzie (http://www.mckenziesp.com/Default.aspx). I think these companies have been merged because they sell the same products at the same prices. Here is the specific link for the panel I purchased:
http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/RPEM6-P20662.aspx

Shipping may run a little higher for Alaska, but it is still a good buy. I am very impressed with the weight and look of the panel - it is very nice. There is also a panel for wild boar tusks that is the same price but smaller (here is the link: http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/RPEM7-P20663.aspx).

I am not one to measure trophies but I measured my tusks to make sure the panel was not too large. If I had smaller tusks (for instance 5 or 6 inches) I would probably go with the wild boar panel.

I would suggest buying one panel and if you are satisfied with the look, then purchase more. Let me know if you have any problems with the hyperlinks.

 

[Velo Dog]

These can be purchased at Van Dyke's (www.vandykestaxidermy.com) or McKenzie (http://www.mckenziesp.com/Default.aspx). I think these companies have been merged because they sell the same products at the same prices. Here is the specific link for the panel I purchased:
http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/RPEM6-P20662.aspx

Shipping may run a little higher for Alaska, but it is still a good buy. I am very impressed with the weight and look of the panel - it is very nice. There is also a panel for wild boar tusks that is the same price but smaller (here is the link: http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/RPEM7-P20663.aspx).

I am not one to measure trophies but I measured my tusks to make sure the panel was not too large. If I had smaller tusks (for instance 5 or 6 inches) I would probably go with the wild boar panel.

I would suggest buying one panel and if you are satisfied with the look, then purchase more. Let me know if you have any problems with the hyperlinks.

Hi again Accipiter,

Thank you, I really appreciate this.
I will do as you recommended.
Also, just like yourself, I am not a tape measure person.
Sometimes it seems like hunter could give them self an ulcer, over a centimeter of tooth here and a quarter inch of horn there.
I just like to go hunting.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Royal27]

LMAO!!!!

I love that the "recommended accessory" is a set of warthog tusks that you can buy for $62.65!

Nothing wrong with them selling them of course, just found it amusing.

 

[accipiter]

Hi again Accipiter,

Thank you, I really appreciate this.
I will do as you recommended.
Also, just like yourself, I am not a tape measure person.
Sometimes it seems like hunter could give them self an ulcer, over a centimeter of tooth here and a quarter inch of horn there.
I just like to go hunting.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

It is my pleasure. I would love to see how your plaque turns out, so feel free to post a photo.

You may realize this already, but I should mention it anyway. Apparently, warthog tusks have a tendency to crack after a few months or years from drying. The tusks went through the dip/pack process at Swift Dip in South Africa. Swift Dip filled the tusks with candle wax. From what I gathered online, candle wax or glue is what most guys use to prevent cracking/splitting. Because of the possibility of this happening down the line, I used a very small amount of epoxy glue in case I have to remove the tusks. I used a dime-sized amount on the base of the tusk and another equal amount on the top which adheres to the leaf.

We definitely have the feeling about measurements. For me, hunting is about hunting - not inches or record books. I have no problem whatsoever with guys that are focused on that aspect, it is just not my style.

 

[Royal27]

I've been trying to think how I could put an African trophy up in my office (large American company and would not put a shoulder mount or skull). This may be my answer....

Oh, and I'm with y'all on measuring. I have no idea what the buff in my avatar measures to. Although, the PH did measure my grysbok because he thought he was a brute!

 

[Velo Dog]

It is my pleasure. I would love to see how your plaque turns out, so feel free to post a photo.

You may realize this already, but I should mention it anyway. Apparently, warthog tusks have a tendency to crack after a few months or years from drying. The tusks went through the dip/pack process at Swift Dip in South Africa. Swift Dip filled the tusks with candle wax. From what I gathered online, candle wax or glue is what most guys use to prevent cracking/splitting. Because of the possibility of this happening down the line, I used a very small amount of epoxy glue in case I have to remove the tusks. I used a dime-sized amount on the base of the tusk and another equal amount on the top which adheres to the leaf.

We definitely have the feeling about measurements. For me, hunting is about hunting - not inches or record books. I have no problem whatsoever with guys that are focused on that aspect, it is just not my style.

Great minds think alike and yes, I will plan on posting some tusks on these plaques at some stage down the trail.
I also owe Mr. Spike.T a posting of the 9.3x62 that I had built for me so, I need to get off my dead rear end and do these things.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

It is a good idea.
Witold

 

[accipiter]

I've been trying to think how I could put an African trophy up in my office (large American company and would not put a shoulder mount or skull). This may be my answer....

Oh, and I'm with y'all on measuring. I have no idea what the buff in my avatar measures to. Although, the PH did measure my grysbok because he thought he was a brute!

Royal - I have two additional suggestions on how you can display a trophy in your office that may appeal to the sensibilities of your co-workers:

1) Porcupine Quills - While on a stalk for impala, I came across a piece of ground littered with porcupine quills. I guess this was a spot where a predator attacked a porcupine. I picked up the best quills of the lot. For the trip home I put these into an empty water bottle to protect against damage. I put those quills in a display case in my living room that contains stuff I purchased while traveling abroad. I have shown these to guests and their children and everyone finds them interesting. So for your upcoming safari at Tootabi, if you have the chance to shoot a porcupine at night - you could put those quills in a glass on your desk and it would not offend your co-workers.

2) Buckskins - I brought home flatskins for three animals. I will have one or two of these tanned 'hair-off' to produce a large leather. My plan is to place this on the backrest of a chair in my home office. From the point of view of your co-workers, this essentially amounts to a large piece of leather draped across the seatback of a chair. That should be palatable to the non-hunters at your work. But the bullet holes or mended bullet holes will be very memorable for you.

 

[Velo Dog]

LMAO!!!!

I love that the "recommended accessory" is a set of warthog tusks that you can buy for $62.65!

Nothing wrong with them selling them of course, just found it amusing.

I've said before and I will say it again; "In today's fashion environment, you have to accessorize".

 

[Warbird782]

My last day of hunting my outfitter took me out to cull warthogs. I got a couple of small tusked boars and I wanted a way to display the tusks. This is what I came up with. $5 plaque from Michaels, $5 can of stain and some hot glue.

 

[Tony Baker]

Some of mine I've done up. Not warthog, just Aussie pigs but the two round bits of wood are African Mahogany