What to do with a giraffe

[dchamp]

Me daydreaming of a how I would make room for my future giraffe mount...View attachment 366723

Now that would be cool to see a Giraffe's head, standing above the ridge line of a house, from the street. Kinda makes me think about all the taxidermy of Baboons in various ways.

 

[Ryan]

I kept it simple, enough head and neck to fit on a pedestal in a corner. I was supposed to have a rug too, but the tannery botched it and hair slipped.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I kept it simple, enough head and neck to fit on a pedestal in a corner. I was supposed to have a rug too, but the tannery botched it and hair slipped. View attachment 366760

Nice! Two awesome looking mounts you have there.

 

[MarkB]

Giraffe haunt me. Not because they are haunting but on my first safari I had an opportunity to shoot a huge bull for $300, seen him 3 times, his eye was hanging down out of his head and infected. Budget was tight, other species had higher priority. ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE PH is what I learned. The after hunt and still in Zim for 5 extra days due to SA strike we went to the Vic Falls market. They had giraffe leg bones hollowed out, with a scrim sawed scene of the big 5 on the savanna and a light inside the leg bone glowing out. It was awesome and to this day I want to hunt a giraffe, have tanned hide as a throw and savanna leg bones on the mantle. After seeing mount above may have to add a use for head and shoulder cape?

MB

 

[Ryan]

Nice! Two awesome looking mounts you have there.

Two memorable hunts. Trying to get within range of a giraffe is far from easy. Took a average bull on purpose, very edible. That kudu was something to watch, chasing cows.

 

[flatwater bill]

+1 with Bruce.
A South African operator told me that he had purchased two young bull giraffe to get some genetic diversity on his place. The old bull had killed the two younger ones. A friend killed the old bull at a very reduced price. The meat, hide, head were all used. The new bulls were happier. A win-win scenario. Do old bull giraffe kill younger bulls? I don't really know, but if so....then who can possibly object to harvesting the damn thing? (Maybe a PH on this site can answer that.) Heck, I'll shoot an old bull giraffe....and I won't need my face blurred out in the fotos, either..... FWB

 

[Newboomer]

I'm not aware of any such animal in Africa that is unusable in some capacity. Perhaps hyena, not because it isn't edible protein but because in much of their huntable range they are perceived as a religious omen, the animal form of a warlock. Black magic is a serious belief system and they won't eat something they truly believe is an animal form of a human witch/warlock.

There are other animals that represent totems to certain tribes. I've had several of the scouts and trackers refuse to eat Zebra because that's their totem. (spirit animal) They were also well fed folks earning a living wage so they had the luxury of dietary restrictions. Did they let it rot? Absolutely not, they dried it and brought it back to their village to barter it with members of the community that would eat it.

I would suppose that if something was truly inedible they would use it for fertilizer or to feed to farm animals but I've yet to find a protein that isn't so precious to the lives of thousands that they wouldn't consume it. They eat every part of a creature. Rectum. Small and large intestine. Bones. Eyes. Brain. Fat. Cull fat. Organs. Tongue. Tripe. When people are starving and dying due to malnutrition no one is thinking "I'll save that for the family dog", they are thinking that someone might die or a child might have permanent cognitive damage if they do not eat meat protein.

Killing a giraffe that is in ample supply or overpopulation in a given area is a noble thing to do. It provides so much food for so many. The only thing that would be morally superior would be to kill a crop raiding elephant in any area of overpopulation because it has three benefits: 1.) Large trophy fees to the local community, 2.) Huge amount of meat protein for the locals, 3.) Has protected their crops from further damage, reducing dependency on international food aid.

Rookhawk, Right there you have the essence of hunting. Probably the main reason most of us hunt. We know we can't bring any meat home, but we sure can help the locals in a significant way. The bigger the animal, the more people it will feed.

 

[C.W. Richter]

They have one of the Thickest skins of all African game. Be CERTAIN and select a Taxidermist/Tannery that can actually Handle such a feat! (East Coast Tannery & Taxidermy COMPLETELY FAILED me nearly 10 yrs. ago citing "hair slippage" after a year or more of waiting-they prob. sold it for profit! Send it to Waldun in SC or call Anne Farkas in Canisteo, NY (tannery for taxidermists!) to get it done right!!!! I was planning a rug, but No. $2.5K shipping for some BASTARD that doesn't know $#!^) To me, they are Biden, et. al. I think the 6 yr Statute of Limitations might be protecting me-maybe i'll burn them!!!!!!!!!! LOL

 

[edward]

in 2005 i took a giraffe on request of the land owner,seems this giraffe was past breeding age but wouldnt let the younger giraffes breed.my ph said 28 years old.the meat was given to him to distribute to his workers.i believe this is called conservation.ive used a lot of his hide for belts, holsters trim for my elephant legs etc.nothing went to waste.to each his own i think.

 

[rookhawk]

Regarding giraffe rugs since folks are bringing this up.

I strongly recommend getting giraffe rugs and hair on tanning done in Africa.(I normally recommend dip / pack and taxidermy at home)

1.) it’s cheaper
2.) if the hide is ruined, you know it $2000-$3000 earlier in the process!
3.) It’s preserved faster, thus giving a better chance for a good product
4.) you’re shipping a lighter finished product that has been skived, rather than a 5x thicker green hide

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

The only advice that I would like to add, is that while you are deciding on whether to hunt a Giraffe or not, think about what you would like to do with it, once you commit to the hunt. Factor that into the cost, because taxidermy for Giraffe can get expensive, really fast. As Rookhawk has correctly stated above, having the skin tanned in Africa could save a lot, for the reasons he's listed above. Just like having it mounted in Africa, and shipping something like a shoulder mount, will add a substantial amount to your shipping bill.

Every single one of my hunters thoroughly enjoyed their experience on hunting Giraffe. If its an area where they get hunted, they will offer you a wonderful experience.

 

[Nhoro]

View attachment 366672

I just gotta ask what the heck is in that glass next to the hip flask ? Coke and milk ?

 

[Sika98k]

Giraffe haunt me. Not because they are haunting but on my first safari I had an opportunity to shoot a huge bull for $300, seen him 3 times, his eye was hanging down out of his head and infected. Budget was tight, other species had higher priority. ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE PH is what I learned. The after hunt and still in Zim for 5 extra days due to SA strike we went to the Vic Falls market. They had giraffe leg bones hollowed out, with a scrim sawed scene of the big 5 on the savanna and a light inside the leg bone glowing out. It was awesome and to this day I want to hunt a giraffe, have tanned hide as a throw and savanna leg bones on the mantle. After seeing mount above may have to add a use for head and shoulder cape?

MB

If it’s eye was hanging out of its head your PH should just have told you to shoot it. Rather than being a tight arse and hanging out for $300.
i shot an eland last year that had a broken hoof. There was no discussion, the PH just said, quickly, we are going after that eland. I was up and running as he explained. Still with a broken hoof it covered a lot of ground at a good rate. He offered me the trophy free as it was a mercy killing.

 

[Randy F]

If it’s eye was hanging out of its head your PH should just have told you to shoot it. Rather than being a tight arse and hanging out for $300.
i shot an eland last year that had a broken hoof. There was no discussion, the PH just said, quickly, we are going after that eland. I was up and running as he explained. Still with a broken hoof it covered a lot of ground at a good rate. He offered me the trophy free as it was a mercy killing.

I have to know, how did you get out there early to break that hoof?
Just kidding, that’s an awesome animal...on my future list. Congrats!

 

[Firebird]

God and mice and giraffes. . . Quick review of Genesis ch. 1 second half of the chapter. Fish of the sea, fowls of the air, beasts of the field. . .
I commend you Mr. Jake for offering to supply a foreign countries people’s with jobs and food. Then not only providing meat but also preserving the skin and bones of that great beast which actually has less value than a mouse. Or are there labs using giraffes to find the cure for Covid 19 among other scourges on the earth? Do millions of people keep giraffe for pets and to feed to their other pets? I’m glad you are willing to spend many thousands of dollars to feed youR body, mind and spirit-and maybe the meat doesn’t taste as good as some other Natural sources but neither does zucchini squash and I still eat lots of that Stuff. Wouldn’t it be sad if all a giraffes worth was to be photographed and walk around eating tons of food but never being utilized for any other purpose? You have inspired me sir, and I wish you an excellent experience

 

[Firebird]

Along those lines-and for those who have not yet seen this-
The first animal I killed was a nyala. The trackers/skinners took out the stomach and dumped its contents, then saved the stomach in a plastic bag to be cleaned and (gulp) eaten, along with the other entrails. They also very carefully picked out the lacy fat lining from the peritoneal cavity and saved it special. It was a deep moment watching those guys care for their food. Fat apparently a delicacy.
Later at the butchery owned by my ph’s family I witnessed an elderly woman buy a cellophane covered package of bones. Just pieces of bones, packaged and sold I believe by weight. Had to ask Wik what the lady with feet wrapped in rags wanted with bone segments. He said she would make broth, soup, tea with them or just suck on them. It all gets used. I grew up on a farm and was still mind boggled on the pieces and parts the Africans could utilize.

 

[Dewald]

I just gotta ask what the heck is in that glass next to the hip flask ? Coke and milk ?

Some strange Polish vodka. The other Jägermeister. The Polish client insisted on a celebratory drink.

 

[rookhawk]

Along those lines-and for those who have not yet seen this-
The first animal I killed was a nyala. The trackers/skinners took out the stomach and dumped its contents, then saved the stomach in a plastic bag to be cleaned and (gulp) eaten, along with the other entrails. They also very carefully picked out the lacy fat lining from the peritoneal cavity and saved it special. It was a deep moment watching those guys care for their food. Fat apparently a delicacy.
Later at the butchery owned by my ph’s family I witnessed an elderly woman buy a cellophane covered package of bones. Just pieces of bones, packaged and sold I believe by weight. Had to ask Wik what the lady with feet wrapped in rags wanted with bone segments. He said she would make broth, soup, tea with them or just suck on them. It all gets used. I grew up on a farm and was still mind boggled on the pieces and parts the Africans could utilize.

Apologies for the thread-drift of all the topics, friends. It's just such a good discussion that explores different areas to touch on.

All true, @Firebird The other tangent of this topic is that we "civilized" people have lost a LOT in the past 50 years when it comes to fine culinary traditions as well. We are so overstuffed with choice cuts of meat 90% of an animal is no longer consumed by the masses and you can't even buy it in stores.

That "caul fat" you described is a precious item I take from all the big game I hunt. I think it's called the omentum, its the lacy net of fat that encircles the organs of a game animal. If you'd like to have a $300 a plate dinner at a proper French restaurant, you'll enjoy caul fat. When you make delicate meatballs and dice them by hand, allowing different textures and sizes of mince in your meat, you then wrap the lean meat patties in a net of the caul fat. As you cook it, the caul fat bastes the meat in pure high-quality fat while pursing it together so it doesn't crumble into nuggets as you cook it.

Caul fat was a precious commodity in all cultures, whether impoverished or decadent, until recently. I strongly recommend the readers take it from their game animals and use it in their cuisine. You roll it up and put it in a zip-lock. When thawed, you put it in warm water until you is flexible again to be used in cooking.

When you see someone hungry using a whole animal you get to see what is instincitively "good" by what they go for first. Pure, clean fat is a psychologically pleasing thing to eat, this is true in African tribes and the finest European restaurants. If it feels good, you eat it.

Raw crepinettes shown below. The caul fat completely dissolves into the meat during cooking, adding flavor and fat to lean meats.

 

[Nhoro]

Some strange Polish vodka. The other Jägermeister. The Polish client insisted on a celebratory drink.

I thought Vodka was supposed to be one of the purest spirits. That looks like chocolate milk !

 

[Nhoro]

Rookhawk you are completely correct. We have lost some of the tastiest meat to 'fast food'. We only use quick cooking cuts because we are in a rush. Although KFC figured out early that fat=flavour when they deep fry everything.

I love doing a potjie with the family. 6-8 hrs stewing cheaper cuts of meat. Never had giraffe. I sat 20 m downwind of a rotting giraffe for two nights (12 hrs each) while the lions we were filming fed. The carcass steamed in the early morning from the heat of rotting and the maggots seethed like living rice. Then I found out my boss who sat upwind to film the action could not smell a damn thing. It was just his little joke to make me sit in the stench. Oh well- I slept like a baby but don't know if I can face giraffe on a plate !