RE: too much???????
 

The fact that he's booked 13 mos. in advance tells you something...

RE: too much???????
 

Well I have dropped mine off on Sunday. Total cost 478. That is a drop sneak with an open mouth. It will not be ready until April or May.I have three other mounts by another taxidermist but when I called them this time they had quit doing it. So this is a new person. I looked around there shop at all of there work before deciding to use them. I hope it turns out OK but if not I know I am partly to blame. i shot it in the face under the left eye.

RE: too much???????
 

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??

RE: too much???????
 

I am sure that he wouldn't work for 7 bucks an hour. I am unsure as to why they are priced the way they are. I have no clue as to the business end of the deal. They have been in business for 37 years here in Louisville. They are about 12 miles south west of city.So as a consumer I should be happy that I found someone to do quality work for 7 dollars an hour. Just as you would be happy to hire an electrican to wire you house correctly at 7 dollars an hour. I did not mean to offend anyone.A sincere apology if I offended you.Truth of the matter is had it costed 1000 dollars I would have probably paid for it. Ido not mind paying for quality work. But if Ican get the same results at a lower price I do so. Why pay 8 dollars for the same loaf a bread when II can get it down the streetfor 1.50???

RE: too much???????
 

No offense taken. And don't apologize. I have been doing taxidermy for a few years and you'd be amazed at how many pop up and go away because THEY don't know the business end. My post was just to explain from a taxidermist view. And I agree with you about paying less if you can. The post was to explain to some reading that the costs of a deer mount aren't always TOO HIGH. I hope that you didn't take my post the wrong way.

RE: too much???????
 

I totally understand. One goes into business to hopefully make a little money. Sure you may love what you do but love is not enoguh to pay the bills. After I read the thread. I did some research here in KY. I found several taxidermost and viewed their web sites. I believe based on what I had read I paid about middle of the road for here in KY. I seen shoulder mounts range from 265 to 500. nctaxi, do you have a web site? I would love to view some of your work. I often find myself amazed at the art work.

RE: too much???????
 

No I don't have a website, just haven't felt the need but with all the people asking I am looking into it. I posted a couple of pics on the thread below page 15 & 16. Amen on the lovin it but have to make a bill payment or 2 to keep my financial advisor(wife) happy.:D

RE: too much???????
 

Many of the top taxidermist in our area have all the work they want and then some. So they can raise the price on their work and if they lose some business then its no big deal because they still have all they can do. Why do 100 mounts for two hundred dollars when you can get four hundred and still have all the business you can handle.
A lady that does work for me is now up to 450 for a mount and you must wait a year and a half or more because she is very good. As long as they still get all the work they want the price will keep going up. It's all about supply and demand.

RE: too much???????
 

I am from Austin Mn, and I just took my 9 pointer to Toms Taxidermy iin Clarks Grove. I was told that he is the best in the area by alot of guys. I am having a shoulder mount done, and he told me that all of his shoulder mounts for deer are $510 + tax. So I am paying just under $550 for everything. I took it to him on the 6th of November, and he told me that I would have it back sometime in June or July.