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Hi guys, so trophy room is a bit of a stretch. It’s more where I do my reloading and have a few mounts but you get the idea. Anyway we were going to paint a few rooms with a solid wall colour at one end. Probably a dark/deep blue. Has anyone got anything similar? I imagine a white would be the...

Has anyone got any good photos of back skins they’ve had done? I’m considering hunting a black wildebeest and would only go for a euro mount. Back skins seem relatively cheap so I thought it may be worth doing as well? Hartebeest and blue wildebeest seem to be the most common though?

Hi folks, Had a lot of interesting replies recently about what game folk like to hunt and a lot seemed to be what is endemic to an area - completely fair! Jumping along, I think the free state has gemsbok. Probably introduced I know but I don’t think the free state is a million miles away...

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...

Folks I’ve been back reading old posts with interest and there seems to be lots of top 10 posts - basically covers a good chunk of what’s available! What would your top five plains game be for a week hunt? And even better, why? Just to get some ideas for myself going forward. I’ve a mental...

Folks is it recommended to have euro mounts fitted to a shield for import? I’ve heard this makes getting them ‘okayed’ a lot easier? Purely from a basis of picking my own shields at a later date, I was considering having them sent ‘loose’. Can I ask how dip and packed skulls differ? I have...

Folks can I get feedback on who you’ve had good experiences with? Going out this year so really need some recommendations. Appreciate it’s a huge country but most places seem happy to drive a distance to collect. It’s about the final step I really need to iron out so any help is really...

Folks I’m away to KZN in May and I’m not entirely sure what to expect. I don’t really want to sound like an idiot to the PH so I thought I’d borrow from the experience on here. 1) I don’t have gaiters that would suit. All the UK ones I have are insulated. Any recommendations? I have reasonable...

Hope you’re all having a good weekend folks. I wanted to ask a some opinions on salting hides etc and storage. Essentially I’d lined up someone for dip and pack who my local taxidermist back home rates very highly and has used several times . They’re about 6 hours away which wasn’t a problem...

Folks I’m a bit stuck here. So I’m going out in May to KZN. I was going to mount the items in the UK because 1) spreads the costs out 2) before any import regs change and 3) easier dialogue with taxidermist. I’d been recommended an outfitter for dip and pack who’s in Limpopo I believe and...

Folks, I would appreciate being able to pick some brains on the above if that’s okay please? So my first trip is coming up in May to South Africa - standard plains game hunt. Now, I’ve currently decided not to take any cites animals. The only one that really interests me at this stage is a...

Folks, looking into this. There’s a few cases of foot and mouth in South Africa from what I can see. And has been since May 2024? Has anyone had any issues moving capes/horns between areas for taxidermy or for dip and pack? Obviously a lot of folk will hunt an area then maybe use a taxidermist...

Folks how would you play this going forward on a first safari? My outfitter has given me a price for a kudu and some plains game a year/year and a half ago. The kudu has gone up by maybe $500 dollars this year,(I’m guessing as don’t have the prices to hand). Some animals like wildebeest have...

I thought this would be an interesting subject on here as African animals are notorious for being tough. I’ve been considering changing my .270 after 15-20 years ‘just because’. Despite that, it just works. I’m starting to think that there’s an optimum range between recoil and knockdown...

Folks, the outfitter I’m going to in RSA has both these animals at a similar price,(in fact the gemsbok is $200 more expensive). The outfitter doesn’t seem to put up lots of gemsbok images so maybe less common on the ground that they have. If it was either or, which one would you go for...

Right folks, I know the main points are: -Something that fits the individual/you -Wear the boot in before you go. Now I don’t know if I’m being ambitious but I’m looking for something lightweight and waterproof. I’ve got big, heavy, shin height boots for stalking in heather in the uk. But...

Folks , help me settle this. LOTS of people say this. Is there any truth in it? I’m inclined to get my skins home asap in case of any import issues 1-2 years down the line - usual turnaround for an African taxidermist is 2 years yes? So, in theory.. Done in home country - manikin should be...

Folks has anyone done a capercaillie hunt in Europe before? Got an outfitter you’d recommend? My understanding is Austria stalks them early AM in the spring. Sounds interesting but I also believe tags are quite thin on the ground. It looks like it’s 1 bird,(assuming successful) for the trip...

Apologies if this isn’t the best section. Can anyone recommend some good African safari hunting books - I’ve read none? Probably looking for something with a bit more of a story / write up to it than a log book of numbers if that makes sense. Thanks!

Has anyone used the following company in the past for either dip and pack or for euro mounts? My taxidermist has recommended them,(who I trust) but I thought there was no harm in doing some research on here. First and potentially one off trip for me,(according to the wife) so want to get...

Folks, I’m intrigued by this as an option. I’m doing a first plains game hunt to KZN in 2025. Someone had recently gone with the outfitter and taken a hyaena at night, I presume with bait involved? Trying to work out if this is a worthwhile hunt or not. I’m keen to try and maximise my time...

Folks, I read a recent thread where a member on here had to cancel their trip due to airline issues. It got me thinking, how much time do you tend to give to arrive before your hunt? I’ve got my first trip coming next year which is exciting and a bit daunting - it almost makes you want to...

Folks, this is as much a combination of 1) curiosity and 2) guessing bank balances. What would you expect on a plains game hunt in South Africa? An animal every other day on average? Im going for an 8 day hunt. I’m basically planning to go with the flow and not going to stress about how many...

Right folks, who makes decent hunting videos on YouTube? I watch the John X when they come out. The Mutambo films are good quality but not that many. Any others folk can recommend? More interested in an actual hunt film than kill shots if that makes sense!

Right folks, because I have 10 months to wait until my first trip, (time to save but painful waiting) I’m trying to iron out as much of the details as I can in advance. So.. I’m planning a few scalloped shoulder mounts with a bit more of the shoulder than just the neck forward,(possibly...

Right folks, I’m needing some advice from the worldly wise as I’ve got my first safari booked in for next year. Was going to book 5 days. Guide suggested 8.. I figured it’s a long way and maybe with some bad weather to factor in as well so I booked the 8 days,(South Africa / May). Flying from...

Thought I’d run this past folk as I’ve got my first plains game hunt next year. Now the uk ,(and most other countries) seems to be getting harder to import ‘trophies’ for want of a better word and they are currently talking about a cites import ban. Now I’m not realistically going after cites...

Right folks, what’s the best taxidermy mounts you’ve either 1) seen on the internet if you can find the photo or 2) have had done yourself? I’ll probably get the mounts done in the uk,(spread costs out if needed, actually get the capes across before any daft legislation etc) but who would you...

Well folks, after a long time sitting on the fence, the deposit is going through for a hunt for next May in South Africa. Any pearls of wisdom from folk? I still haven’t decided if it’s worth the hassle taking my own rifle,(although I very much like the familiarity of it). It could be as...

Well folks, I’m sure this has been asked numerous times on here but I’m needing some real life experience. The ‘reloading’ room where anything boy related can go in without many questions asked is 2M high. I’d a red stag pedestal mount that I was really pleased with a couple of years ago...

Here’s a question folks. Planning a SA hunt for plains game next year or 2026. I’ve posted similarly on a uk stalking thread so apologies if folks see this twice but trying to get as much feedback as possible. Really only going for plains game. Kudu, nyala, springbok , impala. With or without...

Folks, just curious on what you think is the best time to hunt SA? The outfitter had suggested either Jan or May being the best for kudu? I’m assuming Jan the bulls are not split up so easier to choose? Or May because maybe less cover? Which would you go for? I assume the mosquitoes will be...

Right folks , I’m looking for some advice if possible please. I’ve posted previously on one other deer stalking forum in the last few months but thought that there might be more / additional feedback on here. I’m basically trying to work out if and when I can afford a SA hunt,(currently...

Well folks, this isn’t intended as a can of worms so please bear with me as it’s meant with good intentions. I’ve just read an old thread from 2012 as I’m keen to try my best to avoid somewhere that’s put and take. Now, I can completely understand possibly buying in a couple of males as a one...

Hi folks, I’m looking into booking a trip to SA probably 2 years ahead,(got a lot on next year). I’m keen on the above outfitter and was wondering if anyone on here has hunted with them? My other question if possible is, how much is dip and pack/shipping and how long does it tend to take to...

Hi guys, so I’m going around in circles a little bit here and was wondering if you can help me from experience. So what I want to hunt is, large areas, can be high fence. Must be spot and stalk. With a rifle. I’ve seen videos from people on here who are site regulars where,(mainly for bow...

Hi guys, What’s you general experiences with taxidermy after a hunt? I like the look of highveld taxidermy but am I better to get the skins sent home and have the work done more locally? Especially if something goes wrong? Are taxidermists in Africa good at relaying emails ect on how you’d...

Has anyone got any pictures of either area to get an idea of the landscape please? I’ve pretty much narrowed my choice down to SA but know these two areas vary quiet a lot in appearance / terrain? Also is one much easier to get to than the other? Animals and hunting will be similar? Thanks!

So very open ended question but I’m going to try and convince my old man who only does a little bit of rifle hunting to join me when I get my first trip,(likely SA) organised. If you were to go for a simple few animals for a plains game type hunt, what would you recommend to someone for a weeks...

Hi guys, Just wondering if you could answer a couple of questions for me please? I don’t mind hunting high fence as long as the areas are huge and you don’t ever see the fences,(obviously on the way in you will). Do these areas regularly release animals onto the ground? I was speaking to...

Hi guys, I’ve tried searching the reviews and there’s so so many. I was hoping for a few regulars to pop up for some kind of common theme.. Basically I’m looking to hunt South Africa, I’ve heard Limpopo is nice but happy to go anywhere that’s good and relatively easy to get to. I’m just after...

Hi guys, apologies I’ve been flicking through the forum and there’s a wealth of info on here,(you could lose days!) which I will continue to use but thought I’d start joining in. I’ve been planning a trip to Africa since a kid but now with my 30th a year away, I think it’s time just to get...