HARTEBEEST

The Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) is an African species of Grassland Antelope. Hartebeest live between 11 and 20 years in the wild, and up to 19 in captivity. Both males and females have horns and a dark brown coat which is shiny and smooth.They are very social animals that form herds of 20-300 members. They are known to be quite vicious when tempered with but are usually quite calm otherwise. It is a popular game animal due to it’s highly sought after meat.

Additional information

Mount Type

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Facts

• The Bubal Hartebeest was declared extinct in 1994.
• The common name “hartebeest’” is derived from the Afrikaans hertebeest.
• Fossils of the Red Hartebeest have been found in Elandsfontein, Cornelia and Florisbad in South Africa, as well as in Kambwe in Zambia

Taxidermy

Thorough preparation is the key factor to ensuring a high-quality final product. All hides are tanned and oiled using the world’s very best available chemicals and processes to ensure permanence and longevity.Forms are selected to ensure the best fit and posture will be altered to suit you, the client’s preference without additional cost. Natural habitat bases are custom-made for full mount trophies without additional cost.Only the finest materials and 40 years of professional experience are used in defining your trophies in a whole new way. The final trophies are almost Life-Formed. When the restoration is required, every effort is made to repair cuts and abrasions, and to minimise bullet damage. Natural scarring is kept unless otherwise requested.

Habitat

They reside in South Africa and other parts of Africa but the hartebeest is extinct in Algeria, Egypt, Lesotho, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, and Tunisia. They like open grasslands, savannahs and woodlands. They enjoy many grasses, leaves and legumes and can survive without water but not for too long.

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Professional Hartebeest Taxidermy in South Africa

Large and fawn-coloured, the hartebeest is an antelope species. Their large legs, long snouts, and sharply sloping backs are their most striking features. They may not look like it, but these antelopes are just as graceful as any other kind. They are not at all clumsy despite being one of the newest and most well evolved ungulates.

They are able to run at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour and are considered to be one of the quickest antelopes. Their name, which literally translates to “tough ox,” comes from these traits. Sedentary behaviour appears to stifle both population growth and the exchange of genetic material among hartebeests, leading to the existence of multiple distinct subspecies.

The Red Hartebeest, or Alcelaphus caama, is a big, rusty-brown animal with a sloping back and a long, narrow face. Its horns are extensively ringed in both sexes. The Red Hartebeest is endemic to South Africa; it is the only subspecies of the 12 known in Africa.

Its current widespread distribution can be attributed to its reintroduction to game farms and wildlife reserves. Bulls reach maturity at a weight of 150 kg and a height of 1.3 metres at the shoulders, whereas adult cows weigh just 120 kg.

Hunting Hartebeest

Red hartebeest hunting requires a patient approach. Even after the herd has been set in motion, the animals will frequently pause to investigate the surrounding area. This is the best time to take the shot.  Hartebeests have a strong herd mentality and typically gather in groups of 20 or so, though hundreds have been recorded.

Use binoculars from a high vantage point as the first step in successfully hunting a red hartebeest. If you’re in the open country, you should be able to spot them easily.

When hunting for hartebeest, look for a trophy with a substantial boss. The horns should rise in a heart form and sweep back or up slightly, leaving minimal room between them. The tips should also be good.

Choose an adjustable scope rifle with a calibre between.270 and.375 and high-quality expanding rounds. During red hartebeest hunting, a 308-300 win mag is the best calibre to use. The bullet will usually go all the way into the animal and come out the other side.

What is Hartebeest Taxidermy?

Our goal is for our merchandise to be nearly indistinguishable from the actual thing in appearance and texture. Every finished hartebeest taxidermy projects begins with careful planning. Use our 40 years of experience and the best modern materials to create trophies that will endure a lifetime.

We’ve taken great care in selecting all of our forms, and if necessary, we’ll even change the posture of your trophy for free if so preferred. Each of our full mount trophies comes with a free, custom-made base made to resemble the animal’s native habitat. Damage from bullets and abrasions is restored to the greatest extent possible. Scars on the animal will remain unless otherwise requested.

Skin Preparation for a Flawless Hartebeest Trophy

High-quality African trophy skinning is essential for good taxidermy of your African animals. The animal’s degradation process begins as soon as it dies, and it accelerates in Africa’s hot temperatures. While you’re out in the field, take high-quality close-up photos of your animal’s face, the back of its ears, and any other skin anomalies.

Skinning must begin right away. When you’re out hunting and can’t get back to the skinning shed, the trackers will skin the animal where it died. Depending on the desired mount, gralloching may be required, which involves the removal of the animal’s skin from its body while leaving the skin of the animal’s head attached to its skull. It is critical to carefully cleanse the skin to remove any residual meat, fat, filth, or blood.

The body should not be dragged along the ground from the location of the kill to the hunting truck. After skinning, the skin should be thoroughly cleansed to remove any leftover blood. Use cold, fresh water that has been bactericide-treated.

After a few minutes of drip drying, the skin is ready for salting. Use a lot of salt and massage it into all of your skin’s creases. Roll the salted skin up and keep it in a cool place. The skin can be hung to dry after three to four days.

The Hartebest Taxidermy Process and Methods

In most cases, your outfitter or professional hunter will transport your trophies to our White River location. Such services should be clearly outlined in the hunting trip contract between you and your outfitter. In addition, we provide a service whereby we will visit various outfitters across the country and collect any trophies you have left with them. Please get in touch with us to arrange a collection time.

Once we have your trophies in hand, we’ll enter them into our production system, make a note of any mounting requirements you have, and then provide you with an estimate.

Since we employ only the finest chemicals and techniques in our tanning and oiling processes, our skins retain their lustre and beauty for many years to come. Each skin goes through extensive testing on a manikin to ensure a snug and comfortable fit. After the eyes and ears have been positioned correctly, a trained specialist will sew the skin closed. Our taxidermist will wait until the animal is completely dry before making any finishing touches.

Taking Care of your Hartebeest trophy

It’s best to keep your mount out of damp places like basements. A mount needs to be kept dry at all times to prevent problems like mould growth.

Keep your mounts out of direct sunshine. When it comes to mounted animals, the sun’s ultraviolet radiation have a particularly unpleasant and dreadful deteriorating effect. Damage to your Hartebeest trophy from the sun will make it look old and used.

The hide can dry up and shrink if subjected to direct sunlight over an extended period of time, much as how it would in dry heat. It is advisable to hang your mount somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunshine.

Regular, light dusting is all that’s required to keep mounts in pristine shape. Use a feather duster to get rid of dust, then wipe off the area with a damp towel in the direction of the hair. You can trust the Medix Africa product to keep your trophy in pristine condition. The people at Life-Form Taxidermy utilise and sell the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Hartebeest trophy cost?

The cost of any trophy is subject to the cost specified per taxidermy order, quantity of trophies, preferred mounting options, and other specifications. If you would like to receive a quote, please contact us.

How long does a Hartebeest trophy take?

The time it takes a taxidermist to mount an animal can range from days to months, depending on the number of trophies per taxidermy order, the display specifications, and the volume of client trophies to be made concurrently per production plan.

In general, the completion and packing timeframes range from 8 to 12 months. This is mostly determined by the type of animal and type of mount to be taxidermied. A taxidermy order is accessible for production scheduling after the appropriate deposit and trophy mounting instructions are received.

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