SPRINGBUCK

The Springbuck (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a white and brown, medium-sized antelope. They have long, slender necks and their horns, hooves and tail tufts are black. Most species have a white underbelly.

The males are larger than the females and have bigger, thicker horns while the females have a more slender body and longer, fragile horns. During summer, when it is most hot, the Springbucks lie in the shade of bushes or trees.

Additional information

Mount Type

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Facts

• Springboks get their name from their jumping abilities.
• They are the most common prey for Lions.
• Their meat is a prized fare.

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

Springbuck reside in the dry areas of South and Southwestern Africa. When grasses are fresh, they tend to graze more and at other times, they feed on shrubs and succulents.They get their water from the food they consume and can go weeks, or even months, without food. In extreme cases, some can even go their entire lives with drinking water. They search for food before dawn usually as this is when flowers, seeds, leaves and stems are most luscious.

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Professional Springbuck Taxidermy in South Africa

The Springbuck, Antidorcas Marsupialis, is a type of antelope native to South Africa. The Springbuck got its name from the Afrikaans words for “jump” and “antelope” since this species is known to engage in prolonged episodes of high-altitude jumping, sometimes reaching heights of up to two meters in the air.

South Africans are proud of the Springbuck, which is the National animal and also the name of the renowned South African rugby team – the “Springbokke”.

It is common to find this sociable herd animal in the Kalahari and other wide grasslands in the dry, semiarid regions of Africa. Although, it is not thirsty all the time, Springbucks will drink every day if water is available. Springbucks graze as well as browses. Since both rams and ewes have horns, and since herds can be rather large, it can be challenging to get close to one without drawing attention to the hunter and alerting the rest of the herd, so determining what constitutes a trophy in a Springbuck hunt, is the challenge of it.

 

Hunting Springbuck

The excitement comes from getting in close, even if long shots of 200 yards or more are normal. When going Springbuck hunting in the South African plains, it’s best to choose a smaller, flat-shooting caliber. A high-quality six times scope is a must-have for hunting Springbuck due to the potential distances involved.

Springbuck meat has a reputation for being the most delicious African game meant to consume. As a meat hunter, you should take aim directly behind the shoulder and go for a side-on lung shot. When hunting Springbuck for trophies, it is necessary to aim for the heart and lung area, then shoot straight up the front leg, between a third and halfway into the body.

Due to its small size and acute senses, Springbuck hunting will always present a formidable challenge. To succeed, you’ll need to stalk well, the wind needs to be in your favour, approach as close as possible, and shoot with confidence and precision.

 

Tips for a flawless Springbuck Trophy

When you hunt, accurately target the body and avoid the head. In no circumstances should the animal be dragged across the ground or onto the loading vehicle.

If you want to protect the animal body while you load it into the hunting vehicle, put some dry grass or soft leafy branches beneath the animal’s shoulders.

The sooner the animal is skinned, the less likely it is to experience bacterial activity and hairslip because of the process. It’s crucial to make sure the skin is completely devoid of any trace of flesh, cartilage, muscle and fat.

Cut from the base of the tail up the middle of the belly and over the chin for a uniform design on your flatskin or rug.

To prepare a cape for a shoulder mount, make a V-shaped cut from the top of the head to the horns, being careful to avoid destroying the hair around the horns.

Then make a clean cut at the nape of the neck, descending well past the apex of the shoulder blades. Remove the cloak by peeling back the skin around the eyes, turning the ears, and carefully slicing open the mouth.

After skinning the animal, immediately wash the skin well to remove any trace of blood. We recommend to us an anti-bacterial like F10(cl) for this.

When the skin has been drip-dried for a few minutes, it is ready to be salted. Use a lot of salt and really work it into all the creases and folds, of the skin. Cool place. Hang the skin up to dry after three to four days.

 

The Springbuck taxidermist’s process and method

A practice with thousands of years of history, taxidermy is now widely recognized as an art form. The origin of the word is derived from two Greek words: taxis (meaning “arrangement”) and dermy (meaning “skin”).

Although taxidermy subjects are often posed in commanding positions, only the skin is preserved. The skeleton as a whole isnt used by the taxidermist. The skull cap portion for purpose of horns, is used only, for mounting of the cape. Instead of the skeletons foam mannikins are made for the skins to be fitted and stitched onto.

The actual time it takes a taxidermist to mount an animal might range from days to weeks, and possibly several months, depending on the quantity of trophies, the display preferences, and volumes of client trophies to be produced, simultaneously. Taxidermists also rely heavily on weather conditions for drying of trophy items etc.

The taxidermist uses the dimensions of the form chosen by the client to either order a mannikin or cast a custom mannikin according to the size of the skin, to ensure an exact fit – displaying the mount most beautifully. The skins are tanned and oiled with the highest quality chemicals and methods, ensuring their durability and longevity for many years to come.

First, the skin is fitted to the model or form (mannikin) before being stitched and sculpted to capture the natural anatomical features. Glass eyes are put to the model, and clay is applied around the eyes, so the skin doesn’t retract and make the animal look wide-eyed. Skin is put back on the frame with ear inserts bonded in. After the skin is sewed and the mount dries, the taxidermist concludes the final touches – painting, fluffing etc.

 

Taking care of your Springbuck trophy

Insect damage has occurred in the finest trophy rooms and museums. Small demisted/carpet beetles or moths are to blame for this. Make sure no pests are lurking in the trophy rooms by using a bug room fogger. All mounts and rugs should be moth proofed once a year. Basically, any spray designed to repel moths from clothing will do. Mist the mount thoroughly and work it into the hair with a brush. A hair dryer can be used to restore fluffiness to the fur of an animal. If a mount has been eaten by bugs, take it outdoors, spray it down with bug spray, and store it in a plastic bag for the night.

Your mounts will continue to look great with just a simple dusting once or twice a week. A feather duster and a damp cloth wiped in the direction of the hair can get rid of any lingering dust. We recommend using Mount Medix Africa (obtained from Life-Form Taxidermy – a trusted product).

Taxidermy should be stored in a dry, cool place that is away from any heat sources like fireplaces heaters and direct sunlight (exposure to natural elements). Moist places are breeding grounds for mildew and mould. Temperature and humidity fluctuations can be harmful to your trophies. Avoid storage areas, such as attics or basements.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Springbuck trophy cost?

The pricing of any trophy is subject to the costing stipulated per taxidermy order, quantity of trophies and preferred mounting options, along with additional requirements. Should you wish to receive a quotation prior to the hunt, the taxidermist can generate such for you.

How long does a Springbuck trophy take?

The time it takes a taxidermist to mount an animal might range from days to weeks, and possibly several months, depending on the quantity of trophies per taxidermy order, the display preferences, and volumes of client trophies to be produced, simultaneously, per production schedule.

The completion and packing timeframe combined, ranges from 10-12 months. This depends largely on the “what, how, when” factors. A taxidermy order also only becomes available for production scheduling upon receipt of the required deposit and trophy mounting instructions.

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