[ReDnEcKbOhUnTeR]

im hoping to get some kind of animal mounted this season for on my wall, whether its a fox squirrel, a mink, a deer or a fox idk yet but hope something...anyone have any estimates of prices for some of these ???? please PM me if possible

 

[BrianC]

Don't choose a Taxidermist based on price. You will probably be sorry. GO to there shop and look at some of their work, then talk price.

 

[Sykotik]

"Taxidermists" are a dime a dozen.

True wildlife artists are a rare breed.

Talk to many, check some out, when you see something on their wall that you like, you have found the right one.

When you are talking about YOUR mount, good enough just don't cut it. Always remember... Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. LOL

 

[Everyday Hunter]

True wildlife artists are a rare breed.

Well said. A good taxidermist is a wildlife artist.

And, keep in mind that one taxidermist might do his best work on deer, another on birds, another on furbearers, etc. You should visit the shops and see what you like. Price isn't the least important factor -- you can't spend what you don't have. But you need confidence that your taxidermist will do a job that you'll be happy with for a long time. I'd rather spend a little more and be happy for years than spend a little less and two years down the road look at a ratty mount.

Steve

 

[TERMINAL]

Don't choose a Taxidermist based on price. You will probably be sorry. GO to there shop and look at some of their work, then talk price.

couldnt agree more........


for prices i have seen prices anywhere from $400- $480 for deer(shoulder mount)

 

[Robert L.]

Those shoulder mount prices you gave sure seem on th elow end...most i know are 550-625

 

[Everyday Hunter]

Those shoulder mount prices you gave sure seem on th elow end...most i know are 550-625

That does seem low in some ways, but it also depends on the area. If there's lots of competition, prices might tend to be on the low side -- it's simple supply and demand. Or, if it's an area where the economy is weak, prices also might be a little lower. I think my taxidermist's prices tend to be on the low side because this area has a weak economy. His work is still very high quality. He did a buck for me a couple of years ago, and I haven't seen a mount I like better since then. I had the privilege of watching him mount my deer, and at every step he explained what he was doing and why. Check this out: What Goes Into Good Taxidermy?

You simply can't compare based on price alone.

Steve

 

[John Henry]

Those shoulder mount prices you gave sure seem on th elow end...most i know are 550-625

Thankfully, I dont know anyone who ever had to pay that much!!

 

[Pa-Guy]

Those shoulder mount prices you gave sure seem on th elow end...most i know are 550-625

Thankfully, I dont know anyone who ever had to pay that much!!

I have paid almost that much, but the mount is 1st class all the way.
In almost all cases, it's like anything else, you get what you pay for.
I've been going to this taxidermist for about 25 years.
He does it full time. Not a hobby or part time business.

 

[Sgflats]

mine (when done ) is 475 plus tax for a full shoulder mount

 

[Fly Guy]

I have taken quite a few animals to a taxidermist who does great work, and as a repeat customer price it is $500 for a full shoulder mount. Once again price is not a factor when quality is what you really want. Ten years down the road, you probably won't have the 50 dollars you saved, but you might have an ugly mount if you just based it on saving money.

 

[TERMINAL]

i pay $450 for most of my mounts and they are all first class.

Cessna taxidermy is $450 for the last shoulder mount my uncle got.....cost me $825 for a full body mount on a 73lb bear cub

 

[foxtrapperwoman]

I've got a buck pedestal mount I did about 14 years ago, hide was commercially tanned, still looks like the day it was done, except a little dust LOL. I still use the same tannery.

I experimented with dry preserve on a half mount raccoon, and while it got a 2nd place professional in 1997 or therabouts ( eastern regional), I notice this past year it has begun to get a color fade to it. Another raccoon I mounted near the same time, I used a syntan in-shop, and I see no fade in it. Neither mount has been in sunlight.

Just an example of what is quality and what lasts. And I get the stories from hunters about a taxidermist they use to go to or tried once. They now prefer my work anyday after the other guy's has fading, cracking, or just doesn't look like a live deer/looks "off". The other guys used were cheaper in price than me, not surprising at all. LOL and last week I had 2 young guys who have used me before telling me 450.00 is cheap for a shoulder mount! Usually it is other taxidermists ( quality/award winner/etc) who say this to me.