Aug 10, 2021 | News
Established in 1981, Life-Form Taxidermy is a world-renowned studio, with a large, dedicated staff, providing top quality taxidermy and outstanding service.
Our indigenous taxidermists specialize in African game and, coupled with their artistic talent and craftsmanship, this results in life-like recreations of game species. All manikins are custom made according to client’s specific requests at no additional charge and full mount prices include standard habitat bases.
Our highly skilled administrative team is up-to-date on all International Export/Import regulations and provides exceptional and responsive service from the arrival of trophies at our studio to the delivery of trophies at the client’s door.
Our dedication to walking that extra mile and striving towards consistent workmanship, ensures that our clients receive lasting memories of their African Safari as well as resulting in their valued return to us through the years.
We have a vast range of outfitters that are spread around South Africa and therefore send our vehicles on a regular basis to collect trophies countrywide, at no additional cost. If your preferred outfitter is not part of our route, we will gladly make the necessary arrangements to collect your prized trophies wherever they are.
We like to boast that Life-Form is a “One Stop Shop” to meet all your needs. Included in our operation, we have a Dip & Ship facility, as well as our own Tannery.
For a detailed view of the studio and other facilities, visit www.lifeformtaxidermy.com
Aug 10, 2021 | News, Uncategorized
Just a quick update to let you know what’s been happening with me in the field.
My first hunt of the year was a leopard hunt with Andy from North Dakota. We hunted on Malangani where I knew there was a huge leopard – we saw him in 2019 lying on a three-quarters-grown wildebeest that he had just killed. He was 50 yards off the road and we watched him for quite a few minutes before he slunk off. This guy was our obvious target but he proved very elusive. All we could find was 10-day-old tracks in one riverbed but nothing else.
We baited the whole area hoping he would show up but he never did. Andy ended up taking another cat right near the end of the hunt. Dropping our baits on the last day we found his tracks from the night before in the same riverbed where we had found his old tracks. He had followed our drag to our bait but then just walked away.
At the beginning of June, Patrick, a retired policeman from NY, arrived with his nephew, James, for a buffalo hunt out of Nengo camp, again in the BVC. After torrential rains the bush was thicker than I’ve ever seen it, and I’ve been in the area for over 28 years! We caught the tail end of two cyclones that struck Mozambique.
As there was so much water about everywhere it was only after a few days that we found buffalo tracks to follow. Starting at 9.15 a.m. we followed them for many miles, often getting pretty close to them, but were unable to get sight of their horns. We finally called it quits and broke for lunch at 4 p.m.
The next morning we again found their tracks and got after them. The wind wasn’t that good but we spotted two bulls and managed to flank them and get the wind more in our favor. Creeping in close, Isaac and I saw that one bull had a good head and he was feeding into a slightly more open area. Please understand that the bush was still very thick, but at least we could see him. Moving Pat forward he finally got a shot and the bull was swallowed by dense, thick bush.
An example of the incredibly dense bush in which the wounded bull was hiding – totally invisible!
Trying to skirt the very thick stuff, both trackers said they could hear his labored breathing and then announced that he had fallen over. We got around the large thicket and moved closer on the hind side to look for blood. A few feet in front of us the bush suddenly exploded and he launched himself towards us at full speed. There was little time to react even though I was ready. As he passed on my left side at a distance of no more than six feet, I snapped a shot at his head, knowing he was headed straight for Pat and James. I guess the blast in his face and the 500-grain .470 that penetrated the nerve in his horn, persuaded him to change course and he ran between me and my friends as I gave him the second barrel just below the base of his tail. Much to our relief and to cut a long story short, we finally put him down after 13 shots. The good Lord was undoubtedly standing with us that morning. I don’t believe I’ve ever hunted in bush this thick!
We hope that you will join us in our little slice of paradise real soon.
Blessings,
John
Aug 4, 2021 | News
When we planned our 1st trip with Motsomi in 2018, we planned it as a once in a lifetime trip. Then we fell in love with SA and made lifelong friends. Our 2nd trip here with Motsomi may have even topped our 1st as we have already started planning our 3rd trip. Marco and Isaac are an amazing team who work hard to help you find the best animals, and also do not mind teaching you along the way. I set a goal to hit 53 different species and they made sure I hit that good. Ackson served amazing food and made sure we were well fed. All of the staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful. Thank you, Pieter, Ria and Juanita for all you do behind the scenes to make things run smooth and come together. We look forward to our next trip with Motsomi.
Nick and Debi,
Maryland, USA
For my 3rd trip to Africa with Motsomi I brought my son along and thanks to Pieter we will have memories to last forever. From the beginning of the safari with hunting the Sable and Roan along with the Golden Wildebeest to hunting the Nyala which was my son’s dream animal to capping it off with his 55” Kudu and finishing it off with our Impalas on the last day. I want to thank Pieter, Ria and all the staff for making our trip a wonderful experience, I would also like to thank Jeff and Simon, our trackers for the friendly times while hunting. I will always consider the Motsomi Family as some of the best friends you can have.
Till next time,
Bob,
PA, USA
This trip was planned for my dad’s 60th birthday, and although a year late I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate. The team at Motsomi was a complete joy from the very beginning. From Ria and Pieter throughout the entire staff they couldn’t be a more friendly bunch. Pieter and his team, Jeff and Simon, made sure every hunt was enjoyable and filled with laughter. I couldn’t have asked for a better hunt and memories to last a lifetime. The trophies were an exceptional souvenir to remember a fantastic trip.
Coming to Africa for the first time with our whole family, where unsure what to expect. Any concerns were soon alleviated when we arrived at Motsomi camp. The area was beautiful and we were welcome with open arms. Pieter and Dirk were patient in teaching the boys about African Wildlife and hunting and the basics of safaris. The atmosphere and food were incredible. The staff from cook to tracker to cleaning were professional and friendly. They created a wonderful personal experience for us all. Can’t wait to come back!
Thanks so much,
Tasos and Gayle & the Boys
This is our 4th trip and still in love with Africa & the Motsomi family. Everything we had on our “wish list” was harvested. Pieter and Ria run a top-notch operation, paying attention to every detail. Food, accommodations, and hunts are well planned. Staff is very polite and friendly. Fireside conversation is always refreshing and this time we had the pleasure of spending time we had the pleasure of spending an evening with PC, Nadia, and their significant others.
When Motsomi says “come as a client, leave as a friend”, they are not kidding.
Paul and Sharon,
PA, USA
Aug 4, 2021 | News
Dear hunting friends,
We’re halfway through 2021! And how exciting that this year has been a much nicer roller-coaster than last year. (We felt like saying good luck with the Thanksgiving and Christmas planning, but luckily there is more than enough time still left for this year!)
The entire Bergzicht team are very thankful for every hunter that made their way to Namibia this year, hunters coming later this year as well as the future hunters committing for next year and going forward. You are the reason we can say we LOVE our job. We can truly say it’s a wonderful process of planning, welcoming everyone into our home and at the end of the trip sending you back home with beautiful trophies as well as plenty of wonderful memories!
Despite some restrictions still in place with regards to travel (all over the world), all our hunters confirmed that travelling to Namibia was an easy process. With your negative PCR test, your passport as well as some documents to complete beforehand, the travelling was smooth sailing.
Upon returning home, COVID testing done in Namibia is organized by the Bergzicht team. We have a company coming to our apartment in town or someone will come out to the farm to do the test, with same day results. So, no need for long queues, planning, appointments, etc.
The entire Bergzicht team (Hannes and Geraldine, Steph, and Marie-Louise as well as all employees) had their first COVID vaccination. By the third of September, all staff members will be fully vaccinated! We are very proud of our employees’ willingness to take the vaccine and through this contributing to a safer & better hunting environment for our hunters as well as a safer working place for all of us.
In terms of the hunting, news, we’ve had plenty of success so far:
During May, our first Springbok Slam was hunted during one safari from one family. A father and two daughters. The girls each got a black – and white – while their father got the common – and the copper Springbok.
During July we completed our second Springbok Slam, by one hunter himself! This hunter also hunted the Masked Slam this year. In 2019, on his first trip to Bergzicht he hunted a beautiful Sable and Oryx, and this year he got the Golden Oryx and a Massive Roan. This was a very fruitful trip! Let’s call our client Mr Big Shot – Mr Big Shot also shot a Golden Wildebeest as well as a Blue Wildebeest. In the 2019 season he was the first to shoot a Black Impala on Bergzicht, and his wife also contributed to the Impala trophies by shooting a common Impala in July 2021.
As if that wasn’t quite impressive enough, Bergzicht’s first Bushbuck was harvested in 2021. Mr Big Shot now completed his Spiral Horn Slam as well! In 2019 he succeeded with a Nyala and a Kudu bull, while 2021 was the year for Bushbuck and Eland.
We hope this will be the first of plenty bushbuck in future!
Bergzicht is very proud to have all this different colour variants as well as a big variety of species available in self sustainable herds.
All compliments go to Hannes for years of planning, hard work and determination to build on the Bergzicht gene pools as well as on the variety of species. It’s always been about how to do this the right way, without short cuts!
The butchery is keeping us busy – what started off as an extra side-line business is now a full time, six-days-a-week operation! This ‘side-line business’ grew and intensified, Hannes had to buy another freezer again, an even bigger one. The newest addition arrived last week, with dimensions of 12m x 3m.
We’re in the middle of our winter now and we can say we’ve had some real cold days. Our Canadian hunters admitted it was cold. We’ve experienced winter according to Canadian standards and not only Namibian standards! While most of you will have great summer weather currently, soak up the summer sun while it is available.
Unfortunately, airlines flying into Namibia are still very limited. We still have no confirmation when Qatar will fly to Namibia again. But we stand firm in faith that a new normal and more stability will be reached soon.
For some of our newer subscribers, herewith some more information about Bergzicht:
Bergzicht Game Lodge offers all the modern luxuries a guest might expect at any lavish hunting lodge.
The hunting lodge is centrally located just outside Dordabis only 1 hour away from the airport and an hour’s drive from Windhoek, the capital of Namibia (therefor we don’t need any special permits for travelling with regards to the current COVID situation)
Bergzicht Game Lodge offers you guided hunting safaris on their exquisite game ranch just south of Windhoek, Namibia. Bergzicht Game Lodge offers 25 species of plains game on 60 000 acres of privately owned land, making this game ranch the perfect location for plains game hunting.
To ensure the ultimate hunting experience combined with appreciating the unique Namibian environment we recommend planning your hunting trip to last around 10 to 12 days (hunting season starts on 1 February and ends on 30 November). Our policy of not taking double bookings can make your dream come true of being the only hunter/group on 94 square miles (243 square km) free range.
At Bergzicht Game Lodge we are dedicated to making your trophy hunting safari a memory of a lifetime. We specialise in African plains game and tailor-made hunting safaris according to your desire. We will exceed every client’s expectation. Come and experience one of the greatest adventures in Africa
All the guest suites are well-equipped with en-suite bathrooms, flushing toilets and spacious showers with hot and cold water. To make your stay more comfortable, there are rifle racks, lamps, and bedside tables in all the rooms. The rooms are elegant and very tastefully decorated. They are also exceptionally well serviced. The lodge provides 220 volts of electrical power, as well as WIFI, 24 hours a day.
For the enthusiastic bird watchers, Bergzicht Game Lodge will be heaven. Namibia boasts more than 600 species of birds.
Every Hunting safari is tailored to meet your specific desires, with your unsurpassed satisfaction being our foremost priority.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. You are welcome to follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see information more frequently
Take care friends & stay safe!
Hope to hear from you soon!
Best regards
Caren
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Jul 9, 2021 | Hunting Stories, News
Burchell’s Zebra
The Burchell’s zebra Equus burchelli, is a southern subspecies of the plains zebra. It differs from that zebra by a number of features, most prominent being shadow stripes which are overlaid on the white stripes on the African zebra’s hindquarters. The dewlap that is common on other zebras is missing. Burchell’s zebra stands around 52 inches at the shoulder and stallions will weigh between 550 to 600 pounds. Each Burchell’s zebra has a unique stripe pattern. When seen at a distance the stripes run together and the animal appears light brown.
Wow Africa Safaris
Burchell’s zebra has the longest migration pattern of any land animal in Africa. They travel from the Chobe River in Namibia to Nxai Pan National Park in Botswana – a distance of 160 miles each way. Its habitat is open woodlands and grass-filled savannah close to water and has to drink regularly while grazing. Usually they travel in small herds of 10 animals consisting of the stallion and a number of mares and foals. Excess males are booted out of the herd and form bachelor herds. A single 12-15 pound foal is born between November and January after a gestation period of approximately one year. Foals are weaned at 11 months.
Burchell’s zebra mother and foal in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa
Stallions and mares are almost the same size, so determining sex can be difficult. Listen to your PH as he’s had a lot of experience doing this. More than one hunter has shot a stallion only to see a sex change before reaching the animal.
Their major predators include lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetahs and hyenas. During migration, Nile crocodiles will hunt them during river crossings. Sometimes baboons will take a foal – however adults are safe from them. The Burchell’s zebra is a very formidable fighter with a nasty bite and a kick that can kill predators. They will stand their ground with smaller predators, but will try to outrun the larger ones.
Burchell’s zebra herds mix with other species such as wildebeest. They act as early warning devices for the highly skittish wildebeest. At night they will relocate to open grassy areas where visibility is good. While the herd sleeps, one zebra will be on guard, barking or snorting if danger is detected.
Burchell’s zebra drinking at a waterhole at Etosha National Park, Namibia
Hunting Burchell’s zebra in Africa will require patience and skill as they have incredible eyesight and will run if they sense danger. Their eyesight is excellent and whole the herd watches their surroundings. Approaching a herd without being seen requires the hunter to only move when there are no eyes on him. Even then, hunting Burchell’s zebra means you have to outwit them. As difficult as sex determination is, there are some hints as to which one is the stallion. When grazing, it will stay away from the herd. When moving, the mare will lead and the stallion will take up the rear guard.
Should the herd be spooked and run, watch for the stallion to run for a bit, then stop and look back. There will be a few seconds when a shot can be made. Depending on what kind of trophy is preferred, different types could be hunted. The herd stallion’s hide will show battle scars and be worn. The young stallion or mare will make a better rug.
As with other large plains game, the .30 caliber guns with good bullets of 170-200 grains work well. However, there’s been a number of them hunted with the .30s that decided to run instead of go down. They gave the hunter a number of hours to appreciate the African scenery while tracking the wounded animal. A better choice would be the trusty .375 with 270 or 300-grain bullets.
Burchell’s zebra running in grassland, Khwai concession, Okavango delta, Botswana
Seven Burchell’s Zebra Facts
- Scientific name: Equus burchelli
- Male weight: 550-600 pounds
- Male height: 52 inches at shoulder
- Shooting distance: 80-200 yards
- Mating: year round
- Gestation: one year
- Life span: 20-22 years
Mountain Zebra in Namibia
The Namibian Hartmann’s mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae, is one of two species of mountain zebra. The other is the Cape mountain zebra found in provinces of Western and Eastern Cape in South Africa. The Hartmann’s is located in Namibia and Angola. Specifically, its habitat is the broken terrain east of the Namib Desert and the western parts of Etosha National Park.
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
It has black and white stripes on every part of its body except the belly. Mountain zebra hooves are hard, but wear fast on the rocky terrain, but grow rapidly to compensate for the extreme wear. On the Hartmann’s mountain zebra the white stripes are wide and the black between is narrow, just the opposite of the Burchell’s zebra. The mountain zebra is the smallest of the various species. Stallions stand three to four feet at the shoulder, and weigh anywhere from 500 to 750 pounds. Females are larger than the males.
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
Hartmann’s mountain zebras are grazers and consume leaves, bark, roots, grasses, fruits and similar. Their water intake is quite high, so they stay near sources of liquid. They use their hooves to dig for water when necessary. Should the food supply dwindle, or water become scarce, they will migrate to find what is needed. They usually don’t form large herds, except near water where it’s not uncommon to see 200-250 zebras gathered together.
Herds number four to six animals: stallion, mares and foals. Mountain zebras sleep standing up with one of the herd always on guard duty. If bothered, they will run, capable of speeds over 40 miles per hour. They try to lose a predator by dodging through the rocks, or climbing which they are very good at, even up at high altitudes.
The average lifespan of a Hartmann’s mountain zebra is 23-25 years. Mares mature after two years; stallions usually take six years. The mare produces one foal after a year’s gestation. Foals can stand and run shortly after birth. The male foal is weaned away from the herd after 10 months, staying alone, or joining a bachelor herd.
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
To hunt the Hartmann’s mountain zebra, the hunter has to be in excellent shape. The terrain is rough, walking is difficult, and air can get a bit thin. The best chance to hunt one is to go along well-travelled paths to water holes early in the morning, or at last light. During the day the zebra will melt into in the shade and be difficult to find.
As with other zebras, the Hartmann’s mountain zebra is a tough animal. Minimum caliber recommended is .30, with preference to the Magnums and 180-200-grain bullets. Larger calibers are better at anchoring a large male. Something in the .338 family, say a .338 Winchester Magnum whose 250-grain bullet is still cooking along over 2,000 feet per second at 300 yards, should put the zebra in the salt. The rifle should be zeroed to 200 yards. Mountain zebras have excellent senses and closing on one to a sub-100 yard range is very hard. Here, shot placement is all-important. Considering the terrain, doing a tail chase on a wounded zebra would be a great way to check out your heart’s stamina.
For a frontal shot, place the cross hairs in the middle of the neck equidistant from the forelegs. Side shots need to be placed one-third up the body and behind the foreleg. Any higher than that could produce a wound, but not a fatal result.
Seven Mountain Zebra Facts
- Scientific name: Equus zebra hartmannae
- Male weight: 500-750 pounds
- Male height: 3-4 feet shoulder
- Longevity: 22-25 year
- Gestation: one year
- Birth: one
- Birth weight: 70-75 pounds
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
Jul 8, 2021 | News
As the UK parliament consider bans on hunting trophy imports, community leaders representing millions of rural Africans have launched an official complaint against one of the key players in the campaign against trophy hunting. Representatives from communities of six southern African nations are accusing celebrity-backed animal charity the Born Free Foundation of waging a campaign of disinformation against trophy hunting that will damage African conservation activities, and undermine their human rights and livelihoods.
The complaint to the Charity Commission for England and Wales focusses on the Born Free Foundation’s continued assertion that hunting “does not support conservation or local livelihoods”. Community leaders from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, all of which have trophy hunting as a significant part of their successful conservation strategies, state that the Born Free Foundation’s assertions that trophy hunting doesn’t support local communities or conservation are “demonstrably false” and “misleading”.
Angered at continued efforts to undermine their conservation achievements, and right to sustainably manage wildlife, the leaders’ (who represent several million people) complaint states that “the actions of this Charity serve to undermine the human rights and livelihoods of several million people living in our communities, as well as threaten the continuing success of our globally recognised conservation programmes.”
Further, they point out that by requesting donations to support their campaign, the Born Free Foundation is raising revenue on the basis of demonstrably false information. This is in direct contravention of the Charity Commissions Fundraising Code, which states “fundraising materials must not mislead anyone, or be likely to mislead anyone, either by leaving out information, or by being inaccurate or ambiguous or by exaggerating details”.
So far, despite requests for updates, the complaint has gone unaddressed and the charity continues its activities. “Whilst UK charities no doubt have the right to campaign for the rights of African animals, this right cannot come at the expense of African people’s rights to sustainably manage the resources on which our livelihoods rely or at the expense of the truth, science and fact. The Born Free Foundation’s continued distortion of the facts jeopardises conservation and our livelihoods and they should not be allowed to continue to campaign and raise money through disinformation campaigns.
It is disappointing that the Charity Commission has to date not acted upon our complaint in a manner which produces results” said Maxi Pia Louis, Chair of the Community Leaders Network.
Trophy hunting is recognised by the IUCN (World Conservation Union), on the basis of strong scientific support, as a conservation tool that “can – and does – positively contribute to conservation and local livelihoods in the face of intense competing pressures on wildlife habitat and widespread poaching”.
For further information, please contact Villio Muunda: communityleadersnetworksa@gmail.com
The Community Leaders Network is a collaborative grouping of rural representatives from Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its vision is socially and economically resilient rural southern African people whose livelihoods are grounded in their rights to sustainably use their natural resources supported by international respect for their existing governance systems. https://resourceafrica.net/stories-voices/#community-voices.
Dr John Ledger is a past Director of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, now a consultant, writer and teacher on the environment, energy and wildlife; he is a columnist for the African Hunting Gazette. He lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. John.Ledger@wol.co.za
