The craft and industry is built this way. Most guys that do it are doing it as a second job because they love it. If they had to spend 8 hours a day year round at their craft, and maybe hire some help, perhaps the ranks would shrink considerably because few would realize a substantial income from itcome the bottom line. How many small businesses can afford health insurance and other perks that come from working at a large company? Taxidermy is mosly a cottage industry subsidized by a well paying full time career somewheres else. If the art was moved out into the business district, and fewer were in business, imagine what your prized trophy mounts would cost. Taxidermy is way cheaper that it should be, because most times the cost of rent, utilities, wages, and yes...TAXES, is most times absorbed by the fact that it is being done by a part timer in his or her home, not in commercial zoning.
Remember, you are paying for someones artistry, not a "stuffed" animal. I always noticed the difference between good mounts and crap, even as a young lad. If you can't tell the difference and think it does not matter, then you deserve to sit and stare at a crappy job for the rest of your life, in complete bliss.