Giraffe skull jaw bone

[Jettech]

Wanted to get y’all’s opinion. My last hunt I took a giraffe and when skimming it I asked to make sure lower jaw stayed with it as I wanted it also. They said no problem. I also emailed folks and dip and pack place and they said yes it will be with it as it’s part of skull. Fast forward to now. Stuff is getting ready to ship and picture has no jaw bone. Was told outfitter never sent it and was not on list of animals and what to be done. Did I assume wrong that jaw is not part of skull and should have been listed and not take the word of outfitter that it would go to dip and pack and also word of dip and pack in email that yes it’s part of skull and that it’s included. The outfitter says they are gonna try and locate it but it’s been 8 months. Cousin and I was both promised this on same hunt. I don’t feel like that jaw bone is anywhere to be found or still not been drug off.
thoughts and opinions

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The lower jaw is not necessary for a mount, in fact most are purely glass fibre forms and no shull is used at all.
For a European mount of course you need the skull, but the lower jaw is seldom used.
However, you should get what you asked for, it is your perogative.

 

[IvW]

That is why a competent PH should make use of a taxidermy register....all details are filled in there, clients wishes, mounts etc. And signed by both parties....no arguments afterwards....there are 4 copies, 1 for outfitter, 1 for PH, one for taxidermist, 1 for client...

 

[Safari Dave]

That is why a competent PH should make use of a taxidermy register....all details are filled in there, clients wishes, mounts etc. And signed by both parties....no arguments afterwards....there are 4 copies, 1 for outfitter, 1 for PH, one for taxidermist, 1 for client...

I always get a bit uneasy when I go to the trouble of explaining to someone exactly what I want and I see that they are not writing anything down (mechanics, taxidermists, gunsmiths, waiters, etc.)

IME - more often than not, something gets missed.



Sometimes with mechanics, gunsmiths, and taxidermists, I usually follow-up with an email.




Sometimes the photographic-memory wait staff amaze me! Sometimes, I'm not so impressed...

 

[Jettech]

That is why a competent PH should make use of a taxidermy register....all details are filled in there, clients wishes, mounts etc. And signed by both parties....no arguments afterwards....there are 4 copies, 1 for outfitter, 1 for PH, one for taxidermist, 1 for client...

they did document everything and had skull listed and they said jaw on giraffe was part of skull for euro purpuse to sit on table or shelf. I guess I messed up by not having them list the jaw seperate on that form. The guide never did transfer the jaw to dip and pack when they picked it up. Looks like its going to be chocked up to a learning experience.

 

[Safari Dave]

I guess it might have something to do with my education as a biologist and life-long interest in animal physiology, but I like complete skulls.

I've taken got a bear, a few deer and a baboon.

If a taxidermist doesn't need part of the skull to do a mount, I always want it.

 

[Safari Dave]

My observation has been that most mammals (unless genetically manipulated by humans), almost always have very good tooth/jaw alignment (otherwise they stave to death and don't reproduce).

The black bear was nearly perfect.

The baboon needed braces more than I did when I was 13! :

Maybe the females in his troop chewed his food for him.

 

[CBH Australia]

If you paid for it, then you asked for it, then you should get it.
Maybe it's not normally required or requested, but you did.
People just need to follow the bloody paperwork.

 

[rookhawk]

That is why a competent PH should make use of a taxidermy register....all details are filled in there, clients wishes, mounts etc. And signed by both parties....no arguments afterwards....there are 4 copies, 1 for outfitter, 1 for PH, one for taxidermist, 1 for client...

You're completely correct, @IvW

What I do is go to instaprint.com and make a cheap set of business cards up with my name and address. They are very cheap and they have hunting/outdoor designs. Like $7-$12 for 500 of them. I then go to fedex/kinkos and I make up at least 50 luggage tags (laminated card with a hole punched, and a plastic loop). They are impervious to salt and chemicals. EVERY item whether green skin, bone, tusk, or skull has a card affixed in the skinning shed. It guarantees nothing gets lost between camp and your residence back in the States.