B-183's thread has me all worked up. My trip is in roughly 12 months. It will be me, my wife & our 3 kids. My wing man and his wife, and my wife's brother + his GF. The kids will be 13, 12 and 10 when we go.

I have neve been much for taxidermy. I've killed tons of WT & Mulies but I only have 2 Euro mounts, no shoulder mounts. I have 1 full body bobcat and 1 full body duck. I'd rather have a lot of really good field photos of me with my safari animals than shoulder mounts of everything.

My current hit list is this, change my mind if you can.

Zebra-- Full skin rug
Black Wildebeest-- Shoulder mount
Kudu-- European mount
Eland-- European mount
Gemsbock-- European mount
Warthog--Full body mount standing on hind legs so I can put a little tuxedo on him like a butler (I think B-183 may have given me this idea. I know it came from the OB for sure)

The Kudu and Warthog are on my outfitters "basic animal" list. The other three will be a little extra $$ if I can't work a deal with them. But since I'm the one who booked the hunt and I'm bringing him the extra business They should work a deal with me on price. Hell, my B-I-L doesn't even want to kill any regular animals, all he wants to do is shoot some birds and go fishing.

If I can knock down all my animals in a rapid fashion, I'll go offshore fishing with the family. My wife & kids will already have it booked for themselves and the B-I-L.

What outfitter are you using?

I'm in the planning stages as well. Our lists are similar, I'm adding a buffalo and some predators too. I'd do a shoulder mount on the Kudu and eland (it's a once in a lifetime hunt). Also, have you ever seen a blue wildebeest rug? That's what I'm planning for and two zebras for rugs. Maybe a bushbuck?

That's a pretty salty list.

Where are you hunting & how long is your safari?

Dude, if you don't shoulder mount the Kudu, you don't deserve to shoot it... I'm kidding but seriously, you should absolutely mount it.

Kubusi Safaris.
7 hunting days. The guide also said we can hunt on Day 0 (arrival day) if we aren't too tired. I'm pretty sure I won't be too tired!
They are near Port Elizabeth, SA (that is where we fly in). Actually the lodge is 15 minutes outside of Grahamstown, SA. he guy said its a 1 hour drive from the lodge to the docks for the offshore fishing excursions at Port Alfred.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Dude, if you don't shoulder mount the Kudu, you don't deserve to shoot it... I'm kidding but seriously, you should absolutely mount it.

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Yeah, if I get a really nice one I will shoulder mount it. But this is my first trip. Based on the price, I will probably go back alone or with a buddy again the next year. This trip I want to hunt but also to enjoy the trip with my family so I'm not going to be picky about looking for giant trophies vs good specimen of the species.