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You paid $550 for a Moose. I wouldn't touch it for that. I only charge $825 for a Moose and that is still Way to cheap.

As for us hiring help. That would be to big a pain in the butt. How many people do you think are available for us to put right to work? We would have to train them first putting us even further behind in our work. Do you realy want some newbee off the street mounting your trophy?

Give me a break apparently you are not aware of the kinda work it takes to do taxidermy. I have a 9 month waiting list and a 20 cubic foot freezer full to the brim with specimins. Probably 75 or so. Sadly not everyone can be 1st. Someone always has to be 75th. I also work a full time job and got to school 3 nights a week. Personaly I don't trust anyone else with my customers trophies. They are paying for my artistic ability not the ability of someone I hire.

Doctor Death, who is Mike?

Why wouldn't you touch it for $550? The same guy did a life size 200 lb. black bear for me 2 years ago and charged $600 for it. He does good work cheap. I know his work isn't competition quality but its good. I'm typical of most hunters.I want my animals back without waiting years for it and I don't want to pay twice as much, either.

It is true, there are guys out their that won't make you wait, are cheap and do good work. Look at those 2 moose. One cost twice as much as the other.

I know taxidermist need to make a living and all, but some of us hunters still like to price shop.

I've even been messing around a little with taxidermy myself. I want to save even more money. I mounted a doe for a 12 year old boy and have only around $75 dollars in it.

I used a pressure washer to flesh it and used JRTS to tan it. I think it turned out OK

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.

And find time to spend on here it seems ...hey I am not trying to tell you how to do your work ..I have never heard of you but I am sure if your as good as you say you could care less what I think ..if your clients are willing to wait a year or two to get your service then more power to ya my friend ...

dd

I understand what you are saying, Livbucks. But I just can't see the difference. I know it is hard to tell from looking at the two pictures but I just don't see a difference in the 2 moose. the first photo, mine, only cost $550. The second photo, my buddy's, cost almost $1200. That's alot of money and I can't see a difference in the quality.

I understand that some guys like Bill Yox, do excellent work. I know he has an incredible work load. His work is top of the line. But there are lots of guys that do really good work, cheaper.

I've seen my share of crappy mounts too. Some are really sad looking. And you are right, if someone gets a terrible job on that once- in- a -lifetime-buck, its their fault, they have to look at it.

I just can't see paying twice as much.


Here's my $600 black bear

Rich this post makes more sence to me then any on this thread ..I can see you have the average hunters best interest at heart ..your to be commended sir !

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.

I'm in no way a professional taxidermist, but I have mounted a couple deer. It didn't take 20 hours, unless you include drying time which takes a few weeks. I'm sure the way I did things is different than the way you do it, but not 20 hours. I understand what you are saying, though.

I realize this taxidermist is cheap. Yes, he has a fulltime job elsewhere. He does taxidermy part time but still manages to do 50-75 deer heads a year, plus a few life size bear and bear rugs. He does a few odd baal stuff like foxes, coyotes, bobcats and small game also. He's a workaholic if you ask me. He's always working on something.

I think he does taxidermy to pay for his hunting trips. He's been to Alaska a few times and other states and Canada.

I know there's a difference if a guy does taxidermy to make ends meet than if he does it for a few extra bucks. Yeah, I can see the difference. But being a customer, I also have to watch where I spend my money. I'm sure that it is easier to explain to your wife that you are spending $550 for a moose mount that to tell her you are spending $1200. I'm sure most hunters can relate.

By the way, my taxi sends his stuff out to get tanned, so maybe that helps, I don't know.