I have to put my 2 cents in, Windwalker... The guy who did your bear and moose is WAY to cheap. That is a fact. Not wanting to argue but your guy is either working elsewhere or has another income. That is also fact. A lifesize bear (can't see details of yours) will start at $1300, not counting base for most taxidermist. The details are what make an artist and an animal. Anyone can stuff a deer, skin it, dry preserve it and throw it on a form. But the artist, takes the time to make sure his mounts are the highest quality, the proverbial deer walking through the wall. It is the details that you are paying for. I have never met Mr Yox or have I ever seen his work firsthand. But Mr Yox is a world class taxidermist, he'll disagree I'm sure, but his reputation proceeds him in the world of taxidermy. He judges competitions among alot of other things.
But back to the issues at hand. A taxidermist is in business to make money, plain and simple. I have been told that I am too high, but I charge $350 for deer this year and will go up next year. What do you do for a living, Windwalker? How much is your time worth? Would you be willing to work 20 hrs for $200, how about $300. 20 hrs. Think about that. Half a week. How much? Do you have Health insurance? How much is that a month? How much does your employer pay for electric? Heat? Rent? Vehicles? There is alot to running a business that many don't think about. Does Mr Yox deserve less than you because he's a taxidermist?
Your moose is also vastly underpriced. Do you have any idea what is involved in mounting a moose? The hide alone can weigh 80# wet.Do you have any idea how hard it is to pull a wet, 80# hide over a form?
Like I said, I'm not trying to argue but people pay forquality. If you are happy with what you are getting for your money,good for you. I have a taxidemist down the road that charges $165 for a dry preserve mount, should I lower myprice because he is lower. I am friends with another taxi that charges $600 starting price for a coyote, should I raise mine? I charge my prices based on the time that ittakes me to mount that animal and all the extras involved. Mr Yox charges what he charges for the quality and reputation that he has built over the years, butareYOU overpaid for what you do for a living? I bet you don't think so.