Mounts
 

Why have deer mounts gotten so expensive?I understand quality comes with a price tag but still.

RE: Mounts
 

i think it is just the rising cost of everything else they need to make a profit too...
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I agree 100%. I guess withthe cost of everything else in the world going up taxidermists have to try and make a living too and also haveraised there prices through the roof. The last 2archery deer I got I had tojust do a skull mount because I can't afford the bill!

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I suppose this is true but there is a breaking point where you settle for something less because you can't afford it.

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Isn't it easier just to blame George Bush like everyone else does??

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I had one lady that use to do all of my mounts. A few years ago I took her a head and she told me it was going to be a little over $100 more than the year before. I asked what such a high increase and she told me she uses price as one way to limit the number of heads she takes in. It worked, because I took mine to another guy.

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Just curious as to what you are seeing. Prices where I am at have been $300-$400 for about the last decade. My guy just raised his $25 to $375. First price increase in 6 years. I don't think $375 is outta bounds, but I have only had 1 deer mounted (this year) in 23 years of hunting. Some guys mount things that I would consider marginal year after year, and I can see where that gets salty.

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Most people around me are $350-$400, a few people that are over the $500 mark.

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Mine this year was $450 past years has been $300. I wonder how much overhead is in a mount? I know there is a lot of time involved and assume that is where most of the cost is involved

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I am so thankful to have my taxidermist around, I am not entirely sure of the price of a deer shoulder mount now, Rybo has one their now so he could say for sure, but I believe it to be around $320, not only that, but he does great work, and usually your mount is done within 3-4 months. I have a coyote getting a full body mount done with a base right now and that cost me $390. God, I love that guy :D

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They have to send thier kids to college too.

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Great answer! Most taxidermists aren't charging enough and are barely making it paycheck to paycheck. They have no retirement plan, no insurance, and no savings. Most have no business sense.I don't know howa full time taxidermistcan charge less than $400 without cutting corners. I only do it as a hobby for friends and family, and I'm still more expensive than what many of you are paying. I just won't lower my quality of life so everyone else can maintain theirs. I have bills and a family too. Taxidermy is still a luxury item. Each person has to decide what it's worth for them.

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price of forms and material took a jump on price

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$325 all day at my Taxi:)

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Mine only (;)) cost me $335. Great quality too.

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Because it takes time and people will pay for the work. Same reason free land is now hunted at Dollars per acre..... someone will pay it.

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My guy is $200 and will have it back around 2 months later. Be jealous!!!

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Thats a good price, and greta return time. Show me some pics.

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Here is my buck that he did...





My turkey....



One of my three trout (my nephew snapped the tail)



My buddies buck...







My buddies other buck....



My buddies euro mount....

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I love that euro!

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I've recently gotten into taxidermy but have watched my uncle doing it for years. To answer the question about cost per head it is ruffly $125 per deer head my uncle figures with shop cost and materials. He charges $425 and it takes him ruffly 12 hours per head in labor from start to finish. Thats a little more than $20 per hour. Now if you compair that to a metal fabricator or any other custom worker that is low to average wages.... Now this is only my second year doing taixdermy and am only charging $275 due to the fact I'm trying to get a client base and get my work out there. Next year they will go up and eventually I'll be around that $400 mark too once I get enough yearly clients. My uncle has raised prices because he does less heads or the same mount of heads as when he was low pirced and has to do less work and make the same or more money for his time. This allows him to spend alot more time with his family..... I'll throw a few pics of my work on here when I get a chance. WCL

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One of my good friends is a Taxi, he charges $350 for a deer and does great work.

Believe me he isn't getting rich off of it though.

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This year the prices in S. NH varied from $450-$650 for a quality mount.
The $650 guy in my opion is with out a doubt the best and some people do not care about the price.
Just remember it's part of your decor, kind of like funiture...
If you buy a slapped together piece of furniture, it doesn't look as good and probably won't last as long either.
My mounts are a prized possession, but I chosethe $500 guy this year.I've used him for 23+ years with great results.
The $650 guy was just a little too much for me this year, but I can say the detail is absolutly grand!

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You must be sleeping with him or something!:D
Just kidding, I'm being jealous[&:]

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Amen to that!

Most barely scratch out a living...taxidermy is certainly not a lucrative business for most guys. Yes, there are some that are very good and do very well. BUT, if you figure that the average guy probably charges in the $300-$400 range...if they do 5 heads a week (which is alot) they will gross somewhere between $75k - $100k a year. Take out all the expenses they have for overhead...they ain't left withmuch for the time and effort that is put in.

A good taxidermist that does things right is well worth the money. Don't go cheap --- you get what you pay for. The other thing is most people can't tell a good job from a bad job, they have no idea what they are looking for.

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Got a shoulder mount this year $500.25

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Word on the street is thatyour taxidermist can charge so little becasue he got a closeout deal on a bunch of oldAfricanZebra forms. Don't be suprised if your mount comes back looking a little horsey[:o]

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our taxidermist will do it between 275 and 300 dollars. he does a pretty nice job too