Here is a quick peek at my mounts from my second plains game hunt with Louis van Bergen at Spiral Horn Safaris. Thanks again, Louis. I'm not sure how my hunting trips with Spiral Horn could have been any better...
Gary
Never underestimate the likelihood that the Republicans will cave...
It means a lot to us to get such positive feedback!
I will be looking forward to our next time around the camp fire my friend.
PS for anyone interested we will be exhibiting at Houston Safari Club (Booth 114), Houston, 11 - 13 Jan 2013 and The African Sporting Expo, Concord (Booth 502), North Carolina, 18 - 20 Jan 2013!!! I hope to see some of you gentleman there.
My name is Pieter van Bergen and im the owner of African Memories Taxidermy and taxidermist who did Gary Owen's trophies. First of all im so happy that you are so pleased with your trophies Gary.
I hope that this answers your question about the rugs 1minute.
First the shins get dried out using salt. Then the hard dried out skin gets soaked in a dirt soak mixture to remove dirt. The skin is now wet and soft(but not soft enough to be a rug) and ready to be placed in the pickling mix which is an acid base mixture. After +- 4-8 days the skins will be ready to be cut thinner. After the shaving pocess(cutting of skins) the thin skin is placed in the tanning oil mix in a round wooden drum for the tanning process. After tanning the thin soft skin is washed in water and dried and then you have your rug.The whole process can take from 2 to 4 weeks.
I hope this gives you an better idea of the process.