The Dugga Boy

[gizmo]

 

[KJE81]

Very nice!

 

[russ473]

Looks good.

 

[Hunt anything]

Gnarly old bull! Looks great Eric.

 

[towserthemouser]

Is he, though?

I see sharp tips, not much drop, and a gap in the middle of the boss, with a bunch of fuzzy stuff that doesn't look very hard to me. What am I missing?

Not trying to be difficult, or to detract from the obvious quality of the taxidermy work. And I'm no expert, just a learner.

Asking those who know more than I do: does this buffalo meet your definition of a Dugga Boy? Do you think he's 12-15 years old?

 

[gizmo]

Is he, though?

I see sharp tips, not much drop, and a gap in the middle of the boss, with a bunch of fuzzy stuff that doesn't look very hard to me. What am I missing?

Not trying to be difficult, or to detract from the obvious quality of the taxidermy work. And I'm no expert, just a learner.

Asking those who know more than I do: does this buffalo meet your definition of a Dugga Boy? Do you think he's 12-15 years old?

The title of the piece has less to do with age and original physical condition and more to do with the manner he is presented and the way I did the finish work on him. He’s an excellent buffalo but if I were meaning it literally I wouldn’t classify him that way.
I understand your point, I wasn’t meaning it to be literal.
I’m just presenting a buffalo I just finished mounting not meaning to give a literal example of what a Dugga Boy is.

 

[flying sailor]

View attachment 658583View attachment 658584View attachment 658585View attachment 658586View attachment 658587View attachment 658588

I can see the hate in his eyes.

 

[towserthemouser]

The title of the piece has less to do with age and original physical condition and more to do with the manner he is presented and the way I did the finish work on him. He’s an excellent buffalo but if I were meaning it literally I wouldn’t classify him that way.
I understand your point, I wasn’t meaning it to be literal.
I’m just presenting a buffalo I just finished mounting not meaning to give a literal example of what a Dugga Boy is.

@gizmo I admire your work and always appreciate your posts. I love the way you've shown him with his nose up; I think it shows his attitude and helps him "come alive."

I guess I have just been struck lately with how every time I turn on a hunting video, it seems like every single male buffalo is a "Dugga Boy." It's like we've replaced the term "Buffalo bull" with the term "Dugga Boy." After a while it just doesn't mean what it started out to mean.

 

[gizmo]

@gizmo I admire your work and always appreciate your posts. I love the way you've shown him with his nose up; I think it shows his attitude and helps him "come alive."

I guess I have just been struck lately with how every time I turn on a hunting video, it seems like every single male buffalo is a "Dugga Boy." It's like we've replaced the term "Buffalo bull" with the term "Dugga Boy." After a while it just doesn't mean what it started out to mean.

You are not going to get any argument from me I promise. I guess I'm adding to the problem titling it that way but at the end of the day I am just trying use a catchy common use (too common) phrase to get folks attention. That is 100% the truth though it seems like every time anyone kills any buffalo the term is used.

 

[Nyati]

Great job, Erik

 

[Ridge Runner]

Nicely done.

Is this meant to be a floor or wall pedestal mount?

Curious to how far it would stick out from the wall and how much wall space would be needed versus a standard forward shoulder mount.

 

[BWH]

Is he, though?

I see sharp tips, not much drop, and a gap in the middle of the boss, with a bunch of fuzzy stuff that doesn't look very hard to me. What am I missing?

Not trying to be difficult, or to detract from the obvious quality of the taxidermy work. And I'm no expert, just a learner.

Asking those who know more than I do: does this buffalo meet your definition of a Dugga Boy? Do you think he's 12-15 years old?

He’s a great bull…. Leave it at that. These things age & grow differently. Just applaud craftsmanship or move on.

 

[towserthemouser]

He’s a great bull…. Leave it at that. These things age & grow differently. Just applaud craftsmanship or move on.

Agreed, and I appreciate your thoughts. They're all fun to hunt, and every trophy is deeply personal. Any buffalo bull is impressive to me, and very few of them are easy to come by. The taxidermy work is wonderful.

My only point was a terminology issue, and also I am truly seeking to learn and improve my skills at judging bulls. No offense intended.

 

[Mekaniks]

Cool mount with fantastic detail- Mekaniks approved

 

[Hunt anything]

Is he, though?

I see sharp tips, not much drop, and a gap in the middle of the boss, with a bunch of fuzzy stuff that doesn't look very hard to me. What am I missing?

Not trying to be difficult, or to detract from the obvious quality of the taxidermy work. And I'm no expert, just a learner.

Asking those who know more than I do: does this buffalo meet your definition of a Dugga Boy? Do you think he's 12-15 years old?

Just a thought on judging buffalo, you mentioned the drop and gap between the bosses. While the older the bull the bosses can grow closer together a lot of this is determined by genetics as is the drop to the horns. As @gizmo work shows this bull is sparse of hair is another indication of age.
However your question has merit. Look up Kevin Robertson book on buffalo and you can learn a lot about buffalo. I had the opportunity to study a lot of bulls while in Mozambique with a very knowledgeable biologist and learned a ton about buffalo.

 

[gizmo]

Nicely done.

Is this meant to be a floor or wall pedestal mount?

Curious to how far it would stick out from the wall and how much wall space would be needed versus a standard forward shoulder mount.

They really don’t take up much more space wall space. You bet on a shoulder mounted buffalo it’s going to take up a 4x4x4 wall space. It may vary 6-8” one way or another witching the dimensions depending on whether it’s a wall ped or regular and the head position.

 

[BGGMKLR]

Is he, though?

I see sharp tips, not much drop, and a gap in the middle of the boss, with a bunch of fuzzy stuff that doesn't look very hard to me. What am I missing?

Not trying to be difficult, or to detract from the obvious quality of the taxidermy work. And I'm no expert, just a learner.

Asking those who know more than I do: does this buffalo meet your definition of a Dugga Boy? Do you think he's 12-15 years old?

I am not an expert and don't wish to present myself as one. That sad, In my humble opinion, with a bit of experience, the fact that there has never been a clear concise definition of the term " Dugga Boy" in over 100 years or so is the main cause of confusion.
Had that name never been tagged, and instead, these guys had been referred to as...Bachelor Bulls...non-herd Bulls...surly loners...the definition would be clear.
These guys have left the cows and calves and herd life behind them. They left either voluntarily after having grown tired of the shenanigans, or were forced out by new young stronger Bulls.
You find them (usually) either alone or with a couple of young strong tough loyal amigos (askari's/bodyguards).
A Dugga Boy, in my experience is far past his prime, and not religiously hunted by those looking for inclusion in any record books. All, given their age,are hard-bossed, however that same age has warn their tips down...sometimes to nothing more than short thick nubs.
In my view, to spot, stalk, and pull off a successful hunt on these hard-core troublemakers is the very essence of Buffalo hunting.
They've seen it all...done it all...and fear absolutely nothing.
Best
Spike