Rusa Island Outfitters

14/05/2024

Another look at this big stag & gorgeous mount!
Talk about a big flashy white throat patch on this guy.
Levi at Top Notch Taxidermy Studios did another incredible job. Certainly a fitting mount for such a great stag!

13/05/2024

Holy smokes!
Well… that’s what a 39 inch beam stag looks like on the wall! 😳 Some ceiling high required!

Sorry for the delay in sharing this & I’ll post a pic of a different angle next. Enjoy 🙏

10/05/2024

Who remembers this big old stag?!
He’s prominently featured in one of our recent videos. And at right around 39 inches, he’s got one of the longest beams of any stag I’ve ever personally guided! 🤩 I’m happy it was my buddy Phil behind the tigger. 👊🏼

Well… exciting news!
He’s back from the taxidermist & on the wall. So be sure to check back for photos tomorrow!

08/05/2024

Double Drop-tine 2.0!
Now that’s what I’m taking about… finally! 😍

This new mount isn’t even done drying, nor is it a fancy, done-up gallery type photo, but already it looks orders of magnitude better than the original.

Not only does it actually look like a Rusa stag, but they also did an overall excellent job with the fine details, finally giving this unique stag the justice he’s always deserved.

I wasn’t going single out & bash the original taxidermist, but I will sing the new taxidermists praises…

Top Notch Taxidermy, located in Southern Alberta, knocked this one outta the park, and are Rusa Island Outfitters official & recommended Rusa taxidermist for our Canadian clients.

They have mounted about 6 stags for our clients so far, and each one has turned out incredible. Zero regrets or concerns. Thanks again!!!

07/05/2024

Continuing from yesterdays post…

So I knew I needed to honour this double drop-tine stag with a nice mount, and chose a very reputable, expensive, high-end taxidermist, with a lengthy turn around time (not wanting to rush a good thing).

Nearly 2 years later, I got a call that my stag was ready. It wasn’t love at first sight, but I figured I was being critical, and would probably grow to like it.

Fast forward a few more years, and I still couldn’t look at this mount without cringing slightly. This was just unbecoming of this taxidermists work. I felt convinced they were so backlogged that they needed to outsource some work locally to not fall further behind.

When I mentioned I wasn’t very happy with the mount & asked them about this, they claimed the work was not outsourced & they felt it is a high quality product. Oh well.

Stay tuned for the conclusion tomorrow…
But I’m also curious to hear anyone else’s thoughts.

Would you be happy with this mount, or would you feel the same way I did?

06/05/2024

Stay tuned!
Some exciting news about this awesome double-drop tine Rusa stag I was lucky to connect with, back from my first visit to New Caledonia when I originally came as a client…

01/05/2024

And that makes 2!
Here’s Marks second stag, done & on the wall.
Looks great! 😍🏆🦌
…This stag also kinda fell into our laps while heading back to the lodge for lunch… So definitely some special memories right there!

30/04/2024

We always love seeing our clients trophies make it home & onto the wall. This big stag our friend hunter Mark took last year is no exception. Congrats & he looks great!

To watch Marks New Caledonian Rusa hunting adventure, please head over to our YouTube channel. Enjoy 🙏

19/04/2024

Our favourite buddy Michel, routinely chipping at’em! Check out the results of a recent spearfishing venture in the lagoon! 🏝️🪸🐟🍣🤤

Two dandy Grey Groupers & a cooler full of other delicious reef fish - no doubt - headed to the raw bar!!

16/04/2024

Despite Alexei not being in New Caledonia right now….he’s still thinking about antlers & deer!

Check out this memorable snap of Alexei & his 4 year old daughter Nina, from a recent overnight father/daughter BIRTHDAY camping trip! And they helped her find her first ever Elk shed!

Congrats Nini & Happy Birthday! 🥳🎂🦌

09/04/2024

One more time!
Another taxidermy update from our repeat client Cory. This one is a stag wed nick-named “Tron”.
He’s tall, tight, heavy, with long tines & lots of beadwork…🫶🏼
Once again, Cory also did the taxidermy work himself. Great job & congrats again! 🦌🇳🇨👊🏼

08/04/2024

Exciting taxidermy update!
Our repeat client Cory and the super unique Rusa stag he took with us is done & on the wall! 😍

A big shout out to Cory who also did the taxidermy work himself! Looks great buddy 👌🏼

03/04/2024

A Kingly stag tending his harem in one of our mountain units… He evaded us more than once.

He’s a tall, heavy, symmetrical stag with long tines that we hope to catch-up with this year with one of our 2024 season hunters. 🤞🤞

📸 Phil Wilson

21/03/2024

Amen to that!

04/03/2024

Always nice seeing some NC Rusa love!
🏝️🦌🫶🏼 😍
A big shout out to WILD DEER magazine for showcasing some of our clients 2023 trophies in their current issue… All 36+ inchers I might add 😎

19/02/2024

Key points to be aware of when considering a hunting trip to paradise…! 🏝️🦌🌺🧉🫶🏼

16/02/2024

Well the booth is busy, and what can I say….

Not only are big Rusa stags handsome and desirable, but New Caledonia as a destination more or less sells itself.

Visit us at booth # 744, take a load off & let’s talk.

15/02/2024

Just got the booth all set up & meeting lots of great exhibitors in the process!

Come by and visit us at booth #744. The Western Hunting Expo in SLC is always a great show!

14/02/2024

Happy Valentine’s Day from beautiful New Caledonia!
The unquestionable “HEART” of the Pacific 💚

13/02/2024

Rusa Island Outfitters (booth # 744) is looking forward to the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah this week & weekend!

Will you be attending?! 🏝️🦌🤷‍♂️
We look forward to chatting with everyone!

It’s a great show with loads of incredible taxidermy & many reputable outfitters, auctions & hunt raffles!

10/02/2024

SOLD! … to two lucky hunters!!

Gonna be some good times on the island this coming summer! 🏝️🦌🦌🥂🍾

09/02/2024

Here’s a final chance to snag our last 2 spots to come hunt wild trophy Javan Rusa stags with us this summer in beautiful New Caledonia!

The SCI auction goes live this evening! We look forward to hosting the winners on a action-packed adventure along the shores of the Coral Sea in this topical paradise! 🏝️🦌🦌🇳🇨

NEW CALEDONIA JAVAN RUSA HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS - $14,500 - Safari Club International - Wisconsin Chapter

06/02/2024

Perhaps take a tour over to the Rusa Island Outfitters YouTube channel & check out our newest video!! 🏝️🦌🦌🦀

You’ll see a pretty epic Slo-Motion kill shot on a big old rutting stag, tending a hind & spraying urine everywhere as the bullet impacts! 😱

Heck of hunt with 2 of our 2023 Rusa clients, Mick & Cliff! Enjoy! 🍻

04/02/2024

Can’t say enough good things about this years SCI convention in Nashville! 🫶🏼

So wonderful seeing many of our past RUSA clients, and we are very excited to host a number of our newly booked RUSA clients!

A big THANK YOU to everyone for all the love & support, and especially to my beautiful wife Lisa for her patience & encouragement!

Well see you next in sunny New Caledonia!
🏝️🦌🦀🐠🌺🧉

30/01/2024

Last wave of new RUSA hats just arrived!
Camo options for something a little different….

Army Green & Rock Grey camo completes the 2024 season line-up. They will be waiting in camp for our clients to give them a new home!