Outside Days » trophy

Interior Decorating Sporting Style

Howard — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:00:28 +0000

There’s a division of labour, responsibility or scope in my house: No. 2 picks the wall colour, I paint it. No.2 places the art, I hang it. With one exception: sporting memorabilia. Now we all know I’m not talking about rugby jerseys, cricket balls, or even bits of F1 car. I’m talking about examples of my stalking prowess transformed by the art of taxidermy. I’ve recorded my success in converting No.2 to my way of decorating in these pages, and having just paid the bill for the latest addition (Vlad the Impala), I thought I’d enshrine my philosophy before the next enormous packing crate arrives.

From the diversity of ways of displaying trophies, I can only conclude that a variety of schools of design abound. First, you need to consider wall colour: while I like the intense orange in the images above and it may suit the African species displayed, at home in my UK kitchen it is just going to make breakfast angry. Not to mention No.2. I am constantly reminded that one should consider the origin of the art and the light in which you will be displaying it before mounting your exhibit. I’m more concerned about finding points in the wall strong enough to support the art without requiring additional structural engineering. Allegedly, individual pieces of taxidermy can be used to great effect, calling attention to the beauty of the piece in isolation. However, I’m of the school of thought that the whole time there is room on the wall, I’ve got an excuse to explore new locations and hunt new species. After all, a collection creates a sense of belonging (and gives you the reason to continue to travel in pursuit of new pieces to fill the wall). With this justification in mind, do get in touch should British, European, African or even American species be of interest for your latest interior design.

Hanging Fred

Howard — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:00:57 +0000

Subtitle: It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

Over the seasons many of you have commented on the patience…okay, sainthood, of No.2. The following is only bound to confirm this view of her.

Three springs ago, I packed my bags and took a client to Kaytor Peaks on the south island of New Zealand. We spent a glorious week stalking said peaks for medal giants. When I emailed No. 2 for her input on whether to go for a skull or cape mount for the 19 point red I’d bagged, she was unequivocal in her support of my judgment. Well, actually she pointed out that we were residing in a thatched cottage with ceilings that contributed to my hairloss and very little hanging space.

So you can imagine her delight on receiving the delivery of a large box on our drive (see above). Fred was promptly relocated to the wall of a local shoot room where he enjoyed a happy two year sabbatical. In the interim, we relocated to a Victorian residence with higher ceilings and ample wall space. We reached a compromise: she got her grey walls, I got Fred.

Small wonder, then, when I announced I was planning to depart for South Africa this spring (in pursuit of yellow fish, guinea fowl, francolin…oh and springbok, warthogs and who knows what else) that No. 2 announced her bags were packed. After all, my excuse of teenagers needing supervision during A levels no longer holds, and there are intriguing reports of diamonds in them there hills…

Man Gets His Munty

Howard — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:03:33 +0000

A year ago, I started documenting my quest for a muntjac in these pages. After many a long evening, and a great deal of patience, I finally shot a lovely, ENORMOUS muntjac buck. I owe a debt of gratitude to Martin and George who were unfailingly cheerful (if not bemused) by my continuing failure to see anything on our nights out. Number Two, who has spent years watching grouse lift off in my favour and trout pass up her fly for mine, was becoming smug.

When I say enormous, we have to put things into perspective. A big muntjac is about the size of a labrador. And mine is definitely a medal buck. I am no CIC scorer, but muntjac are so much easier to score than a roe – it’s just a series of length measurements. He’s bigger than a bronze…No. 2 is now redesigning her kitchen around my trophy wall, and against the odds is advocating more stalking expeditions. What can I say about second wives…

New Zealand

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:30:38 +0000

For the purist stalker intent on shooting native species in their natural environment, New Zealand offers little: a bat is the only native mammal. Fortunately for the rest of us, homesick settlers imported more than Marmite and PG Tips: the first red deer arrived at Nelson in 1851. Excellent grazing, plenty of room and a paucity of predators meant deer prospered, achieving sizes well beyond the Scottish records.

Canada

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:30:08 +0000

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains northwest of Calgary, Alberta is some of the most breathtaking scenery in North America. Hunt and fish in the wilds of North America.

Stalking

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:27:31 +0000

From high seat to belly, the stalker’s view takes in Scottish moors, Home County tree tops, Canadian mountains and New Zealand slopes.

Fishing

Christopher — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:26:57 +0000

Flicking the fluff can take the keen angler around the globe in pursuit of quarry large and small.

Canadian Adventures

Howard — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:46:54 +0000

Sample the Rocky Mountains’ finest stalking, shooting and fishing in Alberta, Canada.

So you think you’ve stalked at dizzying heights? Try pursuing trophy beasts at altitudes of 3000 – 8000 feet above sea level. Stalk elk, mule deer, moose and white tail across timbered mountains. Fish the rushing mountain streams. Take aim at ruffed grouse over pointers where lush meadows meet the woodland.

Bespoke packages mean you can pick and choose to suit your interests. Explore the beauty of this remote wilderness under two hours from Calgary, Alberta and take a bit of the rugged Rockies home in your heart.

Outside Days in the Press

Howard — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:03:12 +0000

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New Zealand Trophy Stalking

Howard — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:40:36 +0000

Stalk over thousands of acres of prime deer stalking country for trophy class red stags surpassing the royal game inhabiting grand estates in Scotland.

Two hours north of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, the estate offers fallow buck, arapawa ram, tahr, chamois and alpine goat as well as red stag. To ensure your experience is of the highest order, the estate only accommodates one hunting party at a time, a maximum of two hunters and two non-hunting companions.

All hunts are designed on an individual basis, allowing ample time for trophy appraisal and selection. To this end, minimum hire is seven days for hunts of one to four species, and ten days for a full bag hunt of six species. Priding itself on accommodation, food and service in the finest of British tradition, the exclusive lodge offers the best New Zealand has to offer.

The southern hemisphere hunting season is the reverse of the northern hemisphere: hunting season opens 1st March and closes 31st August.