This is not meant to bash anyone but simply from a taxidermist perspective. If you paid $478 for an openmouth mount, it's no wonder the other guys aren't doing it anymore. There are many great taxidermist out there that never make it because they can't justify working all the long hours for not enough money. Generally speaking, I have around $150 in each mount (forms, eyes, paint, thread, everything) and roughly 18 hours. This is a standard shoulder mount, not open mouth. SO at $375 (my price) - the $150 = $225 now divide that by 18 hrs and that works out to $12.50 per hour. Now that is 18 hours away from family and friends, not working overtime at work, not hunting, trapping, fishing, etc. I had a client, when I charged $275, that I lost when I went to $375. He asked me why I went up so much, he's an electrician, so I asked if he would come and wire my building for $7.oo per hour...... Any guesses to his response??