Elephant tusks, replicas?

[mark-hunter]

I am at early stages of elephant hunt planning.

One of the considerations is to have replica tusks, in case of import problems or in case I go for non exportable elephant.

If anybody had experience with replica elephant tusks, the questions are following:

- what is the price to be expected of replicas, or the range of price?
- do they make them on the mold based on actual tusks, or they have standard size molds?
- how does end product look like? Pls post some pictures?
- are you happy with that type of trophy?
- other details from your experience? Pros, cons?

 

[Scott CWO]

I had replicas made of my 76 pound bull taken in 2021 in Botswana just in case it was never imported. They were done by Debbie Peake of Muchaba Taxidermy in Maun. As you can see, she makes a perfect mold from the real tusks and accurately colors them as well. I stacked them in this picture for comparison. I believe the cost was about $1100. If you hunt in Botswana, she handles most of the elephants taken. I believe there are options in South Africa as well. I highly recommend replicas in case your ivory cannot be imported. I would do it again even though I did receive my ivory.

 

[mark-hunter]

This looks fantastic!
Thanks for comments!
And congrats on that ele! It is awesome!

 

[KJE81]

View attachment 683668
I had replicas made of my 76 pound bull taken in 2021 in Botswana just in case it was never imported. They were done by Debbie Peake of Muchaba Taxidermy in Maun. As you can see, she makes a perfect mold from the real tusks and accurately colors them as well. I stacked them in this picture for comparison. I believe the cost was about $1100. If you hunt in Botswana, she handles most of the elephants taken. I believe there are options in South Africa as well. I highly recommend replicas in case your ivory cannot be imported. I would do it again even though I did receive my ivory.

They look great, both pairs!

 

[Hunt anything]

@Scott CWO , what are your replicas made of? They look outstanding!

@mark-hunter , I had the wildlife gallery make a replica of a PAC elephant tusk, it looks good, I sent them the dimensions and they matched it in length and girth. I think it was around $500 back in 2014. The one draw back is it’s made of some kind of foam and is extremely light.
Here is a long range picture.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Wow do those ever look amazing. As Canadian, our gov banned ivory import last year and who know what the future holds. But your replicas made me alittle happier seeing that as a possibility

 

[mark-hunter]

Here is a long range picture.

Fantastic! Thanks for posting!

 

[buck wild]

If you can find someone in the country of origin, the molds should be of the original tusks. As with the PAC ele above, a US taxidermist had to make something close based on measurements, but it wasn't a mold of the actual tusks.

Most are made of a two-part plastic type stuff. It captures great detail, colors well, and is durable. The replicas will be lighter than the original. A good pair of replicas will not be distinguishable to the average person at 10 feet.

As for price, well that varies widely.

 

[Hunt anything]

Scott, your tusks look so authentic which pair are the real thing and which ones are the replicas?

 

[Franco]

I am at early stages of elephant hunt planning.

One of the considerations is to have replica tusks, in case of import problems or in case I go for non exportable elephant.

If anybody had experience with replica elephant tusks, the questions are following:

- what is the price to be expected of replicas, or the range of price?
- do they make them on the mold based on actual tusks, or they have standard size molds?
- how does end product look like? Pls post some pictures?
- are you happy with that type of trophy?
- other details from your experience? Pros, cons?

I have not had a problem importing elephant tusks into the US. For that matter, I've imported my rhino and lion as well. I used Conservation Force and made certain the animals were both exportable and importable.

Debbie Peak knows her stuff and would do an incredible job, whether export/import or replicas.

Just a thought regarding non-exportable: I don't know that you would have access to the tusks for molds, so it would have to be done from pictures and measurements.

Good luck with your hunt.

 

[mark-hunter]

Good luck with your hunt.

I hope my friend! I hope!

At this point it still looks like distant dream!
(but so was for buffalo in my avatar, as well)

 

[Franco]

I hope my friend! I hope!

At this point it still looks like distant dream!
(but so was for buffalo in my avatar, as well)

Mark,

Look for Community or PAC hunts. I've done both, the animals are non-exportable but there's no trophy fees, typically daily costs are much lower, and they can be a lot of fun. Sometimes there's the option for trophies.

 

[mark-hunter]

Will do!

 

[Hunt anything]

@Franco, I’ve done PAC that had no trophy fee and a couple of community antelope hunts with no trophy fee but where did you come across an elephant community hunt with no trophy fees? I would be interested in a hunt like that in Namibia but the ones I’ve seen did have a reduced fee.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Thought PAC hunts were illegal to sell?

 

[Fatback]

This is good info. I hope to have replicas made if I am fortunate enough to take an elephant on my hunt in August. It is an own use, non trophy elephant bull that I’ll be hunting.

I’ve already had my PH be in touch with a taxidermist in Namibia that can do the replicas. So all I need now is an elephant bull to follow the script and to shoot true on my end.

 

[Franco]

@Franco, I’ve done PAC that had no trophy fee and a couple of community antelope hunts with no trophy fee but where did you come across an elephant community hunt with no trophy fees? I would be interested in a hunt like that in Namibia but the ones I’ve seen did have a reduced fee.

The community hunt I did had no trophy fees because there was no "trophy". The animal went directly to the local village. This hunt was part of a package purchased at an auction.

 

[Franco]

Thought PAC hunts were illegal to sell?

I didn't buy it.

 

[buck wild]

Scott, your tusks look so authentic which pair are the real thing and which ones are the replicas?

I'm sure Scott will answer, but pretty sure the top pair are the replicas

 

[Hunt anything]

Thought PAC hunts were illegal to sell?

Mine wasn’t sold it was free, you just have to be in the right place when a problem animal is needed to be shot.