Determining Cash Value of Hunting trophy

[bnhcomputing]

Here's a question for you. I give my trophy bear to the taxidermist to mount. I never get it back, and at court he claims he no longer has it. How do I determine a "fair" value for the trophy. It was my first bear ever, so to me it's priceless, but obviously not in the eyes of the court. Any ideas?

My court date is January 5th, and I want to cover all my bases just in case he does say he "doesn't have it," or if he failed to take care of it and it is ruined/rotted.

[Aught Six]

Are you going to small claims court? I would think you'd have better luck if there were no lawyers involved.

Anyway, I'm not authority on this kind of thing, but the bare minimum value of the trophy should be the mounting cost quoted by the taxidermist. Any incidental expenses from travel and lodging might be considered as well. Just get all of your numbers in order ahead of time and try to make a convincing case.

And if you know a few reputable trophy sellers, speak with them. It would be difficult to appraise anything without seeing it, but perhaps they can give you a ballpark figure. Go for the lowest estimate.

[etothepii]

If it's small claims court, just ask for the maximum. The judge won't award that, probably, but that's what you should ask for. Then, be prepared to show how much it's worth. How do you do that? Not sure... Do you have receipts for how much you invested into it? Hunting expenses, liscence, ammo (even ammo at the range preparing for the hunt)...

Perhaps look for bear hides on the internet and print off prices.

Chances are, the hide doesn't have a market value to match your sentimental value, and you can't win sentimental value in court. Perhaps research the grounds for winning punitive damages in your state. I don't know if anything would apply in your case, but it would be worth an afternoon on the internet to find out.

Good luck!

[vc1111]

I think Aught Six is right.

Furthermore, I'd prepare a mapquest proposal for directions that shows the mileage and the time it takes to drive there. That way you can document the mileage if you had driving involved and allow for the meals required to acquire the animal.

The point is that you need to take some time to document everything including the value of the taxidermy.

He who shows up in court with the most validated paper, wins.

[Canuck_Buck]

ORIGINAL: bnhcomputing

I give my trophy bear to the taxidermist to mount. I never get it back, and at court he claims he no longer has it.

Pay him a visit and jog his memory a little...[:@]

[hillbillyhunter1]

So, at this point,what do you believe actually did happen??Do you suppose he might have sold it?? or do you thinks it's a case of the dogs draggin' it downthru the woods or something?? [&:]

[mr-pirk]

BnH Computing, I would think a call or two to Cabales or Bass Pro Shopto see what they pay for the mounts they display in the stores cost would be a very good place to start.

Thanks
Mr-Pirk

[bnhcomputing]

I went on a hunt in October of 2002. The very last day of the hunt, I was able to get a bear. It wasn't a huge bear, but it was my first bear. In November of '02 I gave the bear, along with a cash deposit to the brother of a co-worker who I was told is a taxidermist. I was supposed to get a full mount specifically made so it would stand against my fireplace and look like it was trying to climb the rocks. I had other work done, by other taxidermists and knew this would take maybe a year or more. 2003 comes and goes, in the summer of 2004, I ask my co-worker what the deal is, and he tells me his brother is working on it. In spring of 2005, I discover the guy has been busted by the state for doing taxidermy without the proper permits, and for not keeping the correct records. I contacted him, and actually talked to him in July of 2005, he informed me that he would NOT be able to complete the work, and will be returning my deposit, along with the tanned hide and the skull. I change jobs in September of '05. I have called him several times a week for the last six months, and he won't get on the phone or return my calls. I talked with the old co-worker (the brother) around Thanksgiving, and he said, "I'll try and get your stuff back." Haven't heard from him since either. So, I have no money, and no mount.

Given no other choice, I filed suit asking for my deposit, plus interest and the return of the bear hide and skull. The guy's brother claims the hide was tanned, so maybe it is salvageable, I'm not a taxidermist so I don't know.

I need to go into court prepared, which is why I asked about what the value of the property is. Some here have suggested the value is the cost to acquire, using that logic, the value would be about $1,300 but I remember reading somewhere, that you couldn't recover expenses, only the actual value. Like, if you go to the store and purchase an item, you can"™t recover your mileage to the store, or the cost of your time, just the actual cost of the item.

So, I will try what was suggested here, and anything else you guys can think of. I really wanted the mount, but now I don't know what will happen.

[*JB*]

Sounds to me like you are SOL! You should have use someone with a good reputation and an actual business owner. But, we all learn from our mistakes. And sometimes we can learn from the mistakes of others.