Taxidermy help/advice please?

[wildfowler.250]

Hi folks, first hunt coming up soon and I hope this isn’t a stupid question.

Should I get all my skulls dipped and packed? Even if I’m planning shoulder mounts with them?

Would they normally otherwise skull cap a head before sending to reduce weight? Or do you get a full skull plus cape anyway?

I basically want a “plan B” of having a skull mount in case the cape has issues/hair slip etc. What’s the best way around this?

I may have the odd euro done,( and can probably finish them myself). But basically I don’t want to end up in a situation of a hair slipped kudu cape and 2 loose horns with no skull as a worse case scenario.

Any experiences? Appreciate a lot of folk have been out more than I have but I’m not sure what to expect. Thanks!

 

[DieJager]

Should I get all my skulls dipped and packed? Even if I’m planning shoulder mounts with them

Or do you get a full skull plus cape anyway

If you do a shoulder mount. The latter wil be done to my knowledge. But I'm no expert on this subject.

 

[Safari Dave]

I believe you will find that the entire skull is typically dipped and packed.

 

[btheis13]

All skulls will be dipped and packed, since it's the same $ to do full skull as just the skull cap.

The cost savings could be with the cape. You could only get the cape done or you can pay a little extra for the entire hide (back skin). The back skin could be used for patching or to use for something more unique (pillow, rug, etc.).

 

[JimP]

On my first hunt they just sent the skull cap. To get the whole skull you'll end up with a euro since it will need to be boiled to remove all the meat, brains, and what's in the sinus cavities. And you'll likely pay for a euro. All the euros that I have had done in South Africa included a plaque to qualify as finished taxidermy when it passes through US Customs and gets inspected. On a couple of then I talked to the South African taxidermist and told him what I had planned for them and he just used a throw away plaque, but charged the same.

 

[Sabre]

You will want to discuss this with the taxidermy/dip & pack company you use.

It is very common that if you say you want your animals dip & pack and keep Skull, horns, cape, they will keep the entire skull. But, there are so many companies doing taxidermy and dip and pack that no one here can speak for all of them to say what for sure will happen to yours.

You will have to discuss it with them to have the best chance of getting what you want out of it.

 

[Scott CWO]

Hi folks, first hunt coming up soon and I hope this isn’t a stupid question.

Should I get all my skulls dipped and packed? Even if I’m planning shoulder mounts with them?

Would they normally otherwise skull cap a head before sending to reduce weight? Or do you get a full skull plus cape anyway?

I basically want a “plan B” of having a skull mount in case the cape has issues/hair slip etc. What’s the best way around this?

I may have the odd euro done,( and can probably finish them myself). But basically I don’t want to end up in a situation of a hair slipped kudu cape and 2 loose horns with no skull as a worse case scenario.

Any experiences? Appreciate a lot of folk have been out more than I have but I’m not sure what to expect. Thanks!

It’s a good question. Usually, the full skull is shipped even if you keep capes. Might be best to mention to your PH that you want the full skulls just to be safe.

 

[MarkB]

First I recommend you talk to your taxidermist. Where will your animals be mounted? In Africa or in North America?

"Normal" D&P in Africa when shipping, all skulls are mostly whole, lower jaws, teeth and full skull included. These can be made into euro mounts easily. This also add costs to shipping weight and crate dimensions, costing you more.

I am a taxidermist and do all my own mounting so on my safari 2021 I spoke with Kevin at Hunters and Collectors in Port Elizabeth, he cut all my skulls for shoulder mounts as I instructed, cut behind horns, nose and nasal passages off and cut under eye sockets. This reduced weight and size considerable, especially on big animals. Mostly I requested this as cleaning is far easier when brain cavity, nasal cavity and inside skull is accessible. I clear my own shipments so cleaned properly first time saves thousands in Canada for secondary cleaning if they are deemed not to meet rules.

If you are worried about loss of a cape, and may then still want the ability of an euro mount, a normal D&P will be the correct and your only way. Pay the extra in shipping, check capes when home, cut skulls and mount, disposing of the skull material not required.

MB

 

[Sabre]

So far in just a few short posts you have been told Dip and Pack is just the skull cap, is the upper portion euro skull, and is the full skull to include the lower jaw.

I hope this emphasizes to you the importance of talking to the Dip & Pack company you use in Africa to make sure you get what you want. I don't say this to say any of these guys are wrong, because they aren't, it's their experience. I just want to point out that "normal" is going to vary on who you ask.

What you are looking for is very achievable, and any Dip and Pack should be willing to accommodate what you are asking for.

One thing to be aware of is that sometimes the skulls can come back a bit damaged.

 

[MarkB]

So far in just a few short posts you have been told Dip and Pack is just the skull cap, is the upper portion euro skull, and is the full skull to include the lower jaw.

I hope this emphasizes to you the importance of talking to the Dip & Pack company you use in Africa to make sure you get what you want. I don't say this to say any of these guys are wrong, because they aren't, it's their experience. I just want to point out that "normal" is going to vary on who you ask.

What you are looking for is very achievable, and any Dip and Pack should be willing to accommodate what you are asking for.

One thing to be aware of is that sometimes the skulls can come back a bit damaged.

So true. To the OP, communication rules. Its the only way to get what you want from YOUR D&P company. They will do as you request.

Just hope they are not boiled into oblivion, brittle or broken.

MB

 

[wildfowler.250]

If you do a shoulder mount. The latter wil be done to my knowledge. But I'm no expert on this subject.

I believe you will find that the entire skull is typically dipped and packed.

All skulls will be dipped and packed, since it's the same $ to do full skull as just the skull cap.

The cost savings could be with the cape. You could only get the cape done or you can pay a little extra for the entire hide (back skin). The back skin could be used for patching or to use for something more unique (pillow, rug, etc.).

On my first hunt they just sent the skull cap. To get the whole skull you'll end up with a euro since it will need to be boiled to remove all the meat, brains, and what's in the sinus cavities. And you'll likely pay for a euro. All the euros that I have had done in South Africa included a plaque to qualify as finished taxidermy when it passes through US Customs and gets inspected. On a couple of then I talked to the South African taxidermist and told him what I had planned for them and he just used a throw away plaque, but charged the same.

You will want to discuss this with the taxidermy/dip & pack company you use.

It is very common that if you say you want your animals dip & pack and keep Skull, horns, cape, they will keep the entire skull. But, there are so many companies doing taxidermy and dip and pack that no one here can speak for all of them to say what for sure will happen to yours.

You will have to discuss it with them to have the best chance of getting what you want out of it.

It’s a good question. Usually, the full skull is shipped even if you keep capes. Might be best to mention to your PH that you want the full skulls just to be safe.

First I recommend you talk to your taxidermist. Where will your animals be mounted? In Africa or in North America?

"Normal" D&P in Africa when shipping, all skulls are mostly whole, lower jaws, teeth and full skull included. These can be made into euro mounts easily. This also add costs to shipping weight and crate dimensions, costing you more.

I am a taxidermist and do all my own mounting so on my safari 2021 I spoke with Kevin at Hunters and Collectors in Port Elizabeth, he cut all my skulls for shoulder mounts as I instructed, cut behind horns, nose and nasal passages off and cut under eye sockets. This reduced weight and size considerable, especially on big animals. Mostly I requested this as cleaning is far easier when brain cavity, nasal cavity and inside skull is accessible. I clear my own shipments so cleaned properly first time saves thousands in Canada for secondary cleaning if they are deemed not to meet rules.

If you are worried about loss of a cape, and may then still want the ability of an euro mount, a normal D&P will be the correct and your only way. Pay the extra in shipping, check capes when home, cut skulls and mount, disposing of the skull material not required.

MB

So far in just a few short posts you have been told Dip and Pack is just the skull cap, is the upper portion euro skull, and is the full skull to include the lower jaw.

I hope this emphasizes to you the importance of talking to the Dip & Pack company you use in Africa to make sure you get what you want. I don't say this to say any of these guys are wrong, because they aren't, it's their experience. I just want to point out that "normal" is going to vary on who you ask.

What you are looking for is very achievable, and any Dip and Pack should be willing to accommodate what you are asking for.

One thing to be aware of is that sometimes the skulls can come back a bit damaged.

So true. To the OP, communication rules. Its the only way to get what you want from YOUR D&P company. They will do as you request.

Just hope they are not boiled into oblivion, brittle or broken.

MB

Thanks folks! Much appreciated. I basically would have gone for euro mounts rather than dip and pack as my backup plan but I’m worried they’ll paint the horns or something daft,(they do seem to always come back dark) and then it’ll look bad when I shoulder mount it. Shoulder mounts are the main plan bar maybe the wildebeest/warty on a euro.

I’ll ask for dip and pack of a full skull and go from there. I’ll shoulder mount most of them back home but if I have hairslip or something, at least I should have something of the original?

Any more experiences or pearls of wisdom welcome! Thanks!

 

[MarkB]

Another thing you can/should do to stop anything going wrong or against your directions. Tell the D&P company you want photos sent to you as an update. H&C did this for me thru out my last shipment. Nothing was wrong but would have gave me a chance to stop and redirect them.

Small things for me that I do NOT like and have explained in directions before safari.

-no holes drilled in tops of horns to attach name tags, make sure in very bottom so easy to hide when I mount.
-no tape wrapped around horns to attach name tags, horns get a different color when removed months later and I need to mount.
-no blackened horns, all are left natural as shot.
-skull size that you desire, cut, caps, full skulls, keep all my own skull teeth.

Before I go on safari I contact 3-4 taxidermists in Africa with all my wants. Get a quote, verify on internet, talking to reference lists or by word of mouth from people I know. Pick #1 and #2, if possible visit company while on safari as another verification.

I had mine picked before my last safari started, when there visited as verification and talked over all my special taxidermy points, I had all wrote down and left Kevin and Niccole this paperwork.

Last D&P was perfect in all aspects. I follow same process on all safaris. All except first one in Zim have been good, I had all capes "pre tanned" on that one. They showed up as rubber when home. Had to re-tan all when home, cost me more than D&P. That was 25 years ago, even SA has better access to proper chemicals now so much easier. Also communication is instant with internet.

Hope I have helped somewhat. Have a great safari, see, feel, immerse in and become Africa, she will change your life.

MB

 

[DieJager]

Most important advice, communicate. Be up front with what you want.