GEMSBUCK

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Professional Eland Taxidermy in South Africa

One of the most magnificent antelopes you will see in South Africa is the Gemsbok, or Oryx gazella. Since they are social creatures, they frequently gather in large groups of 50 to 200 individuals. Larger herds tend to be predominated by females, though even these herds often include males. The males often forage alone, leaving scent markers as they move.

The skin on a gemsbok’s robust, muscular neck is highly dense and not very elastic. The Oryx gazella is the largest of the antelope family. The shoulder height of an adult gemsbok is about 115–125 centimetres, and their entire body length is about 180–195 centimetres. Females average 180–225 kg, while males are slightly larger at 180–240 kg.

The Gemsbok lives out in the wild and can adapt to any environment. His diet provides him with enough moisture to survive for months without access to surface water, making him a true Kalaharian survivor. Because of his sociable nature, he feeds largely on grass but will also browse when conditions demand it.

When injured, cornered, or threatened, both sexes become extremely aggressive and dangerous with their long, spearlike horns. It’s common for the female to be slightly smaller in stature than the male. Her horns are typically longer than the male’s, although being thinner. Horns on cows have a small backward curvature, while those on bulls are thicker and more upright.

Hunting Gemsbok

A sturdy pair of boots is essential for a gemsbok hunt, as you will be walking considerable distances. Often hunted in vast landscapes, necessitates a rifle and sight setup capable of flat shooting. You’ll need to plan your approach meticulously and stay on high alert at all times as Gemsbok are known for using their superior senses of sight, hearing, and scent. One of the hardest-fighting antelope you will encounter, opt for the. 270 calibre with a high-quality 150-grain bullet as the bare minimum. Even better options include the 7mm and 30 calibre Magnums. Even though spitzer bullets perform admirably in open terrain, hunting gemsbok in the bush calls for heavy-for-caliber round tip bullets fired at moderate velocities to break through the undergrowth without being deflected.

The dominant hump in the shoulder will try to fool you into aiming too high. Follow the line of the back of the front leg until it’s about a third of the way into the body, then shoot. Do not shoot this magnificent antelope over its horizontal midline unless you are prepared to walk a very long way in search of the carcass. The gemsbok is a great game animal to hunt because he makes a beautiful trophy and his meat is some of the best in Africa.

What is Gemsbok Taxidermy?

Gemsbok taxidermy entails preparing an animal skin for display and then placing it on a mannekin to give it the appearance of a real animal. Creating a lifelike gemsbok taxidermy piece requires thorough preparation. To ensure the hides last for generations, they are tanned and oiled using the highest quality chemicals and techniques available. At Life-form Taxidermy, we pick our forms with care to ensure a good fit, and we’ll even manufacture them from scratch in accordance with any specific instructions you have.

Full-mount trophies are sold with custom bases designed to look like their native environments. Our 40 years of knowledge and dedication to quality mean that your trophies will be transformed into something very special. The final products are trophies that look like they may be from real life. When necessary, every attempt is made to patch up scrapes and bruises while keeping bullet hole damage  to a minimum.

Taking good care of your trophy in the field is the most crucial first step before bringing it to the taxidermist.

The Gemsbok Taxidermy Process and Method

Following these guidelines, your field preparation and our taxidermy process will ensure a high quality gemsbok trophy in South Africa:

• Acquire the required documentation to huntthe animal and have it taxidermied lawfully.
• Immediately following a successful hunt, the animal must be field dressed with caution to protect the skin and avoid harm.
• The hide should be salted to speed up the drying process and kill any bacteria that could be present. The skin just needs to be covered in salt and left in the sun to dry for a few days.
• As soon as the hide is dry, any remaining salt should be washed off and the skin should be stretched over a wooden frame and secured with tacks or pins.

We will:

• Make an animal replica using a mould or sculpting clay. In this case, it’s the basis for the trophy’s mounting.
• Create a lifelike exhibit by stitching, glueing, or wire-wrapping the hide onto the mannekin.
• Add any finishing touches to the mount, whether it be glass eyes, hair, or other materials.

It’s important to remember that taxidermy is a skill that requires a lot of experience and knowledge. If you need something mounted, it’s best to hire a professional in South Africa.

Taking Care of your Gemsbok Trophy

An appropriately cared-for gemsbok trophy will serve its owner well for decades. If you’ve managed to bag yourself a gemsbok as a trophy, here are some pointers on how to preserve

• Don’t let it get too much sun; The horns and hide can fade and change colour in the sun.
• Keep it dry; mould and mildew can harm and discolour the skinand horns if they are exposed to high humidity and damp conditions.
• Keep a clean and dust-free home: Dust the trophy using a soft, dry cloth to get rid of any dirt or debris. Use a gentle cleaning solution and a clean, soft cloth to wipe away any stains or spots.
• Keep it in a pest-free area, since insects can eat away at the hide and horns.
• The trophy is a delicate item that needs to be treat

How much does a Gemsbok trophy cost?

Any trophy’s price will be determined by the taxidermy order minimum, the number of trophies ordered, the mounting method chosen, and any other specifications. The taxidermist can provide you with a price estimate in advance of the hunt if you’d like one.

How long does a Gemsbok trophy take?

Depending on the complexity of the taxidermy order, the taxidermist’s previous experience, the client’s preferred method of display, and the volume of client trophies to be produced simultaneously, the time it takes to mount an animal can range from a few days to several months.

Eight to 12 months is the time span for completion and packing. A lot depends on the “what, how, and when” questions. Only when we receive the money and trophy mounting instructions can we schedule production of your taxidermy order.ed with care at all times. Once every few years, have a professional taxidermist look it over to make sure it’s still in good shape and preserving properly.