GAMEHEAD TAXIDERMY

Once clients get several safaris under their belts, they begin to ask their taxidermists for new ways to break up the line of standard shoulder mounts. Of course, a pedestal mount is the most obvious upgrade. But then what?

1. I suggest a "tastefully done" open-mouth zebra. A zebra is a standard trophy and a true representative of Africa. However, I have never been attracted to the overdone, open-mouth model of any species. You've seen them... lips flared, teeth bared, looking like they're ready to projectile vomit! My goal was to avoid the donkey "hee-haw" look and make him appear to be calling. You always hear it on African shows, the repeated "whaa-whoop, whaa-whoop, whaa-whoop!" off in the distance.

So, where do you start for reference material? Breakthrough Magazine of course, in Fall 1997 Issue 49. "Zebra, the Horse in the Striped Pajamas" by John Bellucci has great reference. I checked my video file and luckily I had just seen a fantastic show on Grevy's zebra with a ton of closeups of the eyes and muzzle. And, with so many horses around here in Montana, it didn't take long to come up with the desired material. The way an equine can maneuver those supple lips and muzzle is something you need to...

...Continued in the Winter 2002 Issue of Breakthrough.

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