Are You Game For “Other” Game? One of the things that keeps people going back to Africa is the incredible game diversity. The first time you’re there it’s a bewildering smorgasbord of ‘bucks, ‘bocks, warthogs and pygmy antelopes and animals of vastly differing shapes and sizes and horn shapes. It really is an amazing experience. But have you thought about hunting varmints?
Sometimes on a safari you can occasionally find different trophies that you did not have on your list and would possibly never even considered. Some of our favorite trophies in the house are from these situations.
One day we were out on a stalk and found an African Porcupine that was wounded and suffering from having lost a leg in a poacher’s snare. He was clearly not likely going to survive the next 24 hours so we decided to put they poor guy out of his misery. Examining him more closely, he truly was a fine representation of his species and quite beautiful. I decided to have made into a full-mount, missing the leg and all! He is now one of our favorites and is frequently an example of conservation and the adverse effects from poaching.
Another time we were helping some farmers to rid an area of Springhare; sort of the African version of prairie dogs. I have told many people about hunting springhares and the large dens they build which can cause farmers a great deal of trouble. Once again, I had one fully mounted and this is also a frequent conversation starter in the house. Springhares have a look to them that lead many people to not believe they are real; we are usually answering questions pertaining to it. He is also a beautiful mount.
In a different area, I was on a stalk in South Africa for a Mountain Reedbuck when we saw a sounder of Bushpigs – in broad daylight – and the guide insisted I shoot the lead pig. That trophy is another different animal that makes a person say I’m sure I would have never thought about an animal like that, but guess what? Yep, makes it on their list!
Unexpected opportunities commonly present themselves. You never know what animals you’ll come upon in Africa. You might like our blog, “Whats it like to be on a plains game safari. If you’re game for varmints, lesser cats, jackals, etc., they can be a lot of fun with the challenges they also present. Contact us now to “Step up your game!”
