BE PATIENT! Good work takes TIME! And there are MANY delays that could be out of the taxidermists hand, including waiting on your cape to be tanned and returned.

There's nothing wrong with giving him a call (stopping by is probably nicer) and asking how things are coming along and when he expects it to be done. Perhaps he's waiting for a deposit from you or a decision on what pose you want so he can order the form. If he told you April, then he should be able to explain the delay though.

Most good taxidermists consider themselves artists and try to perfect their art. Rushing them can be done, but the results are often poor. I have seen rush jobs from very good taxidermists and the difference in finished quality between the rush job and a good mount is litterally like night and day.

My first mount took 1.5 years to get back. I'd visit him from time to time, I'd get to hold my rack for a while and see different phases of the process. It's pretty cool.

PS: Don't forget, if you brought yours in in November, then you could be the 100th or more in line too. One guy can work on no more than a few mounts at at time so he can't even start on yours till he gets the other 99 or so (or whatever) done. Throw in a delay in returning hides, ordering forms or God forbid an illness and a guy could get socked WAY behind.