JFergus7

I was at a local shop last week and was talking with the owner about some of the mounts that he had. I have never had anything mounted but decided that if I should be so lucky to take a deer this year worthy of mounting that I will finally do it. My question is how much time does it usually take to get a deer head mounted? And what can I expect to pay? I didn't ask the guy the other day anything about pricing but I was surprised when he said that I should expect 10-12 months for him to complete a mount. Is this normal? Seems like a long time to me.

rgswildlife

If you were the only customer it would be a long time, but we receive hundreds of jobs in a short period of time and then do them in the order received. Items come in all year long and that adds to the turnaround time. My shop gets the work out in 6 - 12 months. Deer head cost -$495.00
Rich

Jeff Ovington

I'm glad your thinking of this now and not after.....
A quality mount statrs in the field....
In fact most things that go wrong with the mount later,are caused by the person who field dressed it not the Taxidermist......
So read up on how to properly field dress an animal for mounting ,and even go to the specialist, and and get him or her to show explain to you how to do it..
Know what paper work needs to be filled out to make this legal......
Its important to know what measurements need to be made,and and know how to skin the hide off the animal and salt it........
It is always nice to think that your near a freezer or Taxidermist, but more often than not,your days away from from any of those and its often warm or worse, closer to hot.......
If you can, practice on something...
As far as choosing a Taxidermist....
Its like choosing a doctor.
Look at mounts that others have, ask lots of questions......
Its an art, you get what you pay for........
Generally the waiting list is over a year,the longest I've waited was just over 2.
But boy was it worth it.....
And probably somewheres between $400.00 - $600...
Expect to put a down deposit of at least $200.00 as soon as you take it in.
In fact I don't know of any Taxidermist that doesn't request this.......

Bill Yox

Just to help you with ranges, 12 months is actually a GOOD return estimate, and I say estimate, because at my studio, I cant give dates normally. Volume, schedule, too many things seem to be able to slow down any time I give! Just to illustrate, Im over two years for most mounts right now. Is it long? You bet! Is it ridicules, like some in here will say? Hahaha, yes for some, others realize just how much is here, and how factors can complicate return times in some custom studios like mine. Heck, they usually say it was worth the wait...after they get it back, that is!

Try looking around some studios near you and get a feel for price and return time, as well as quality. If youre an impatient person, or just not willing to wait, concentrate your search that way, theres no sense in getting involved with a studio such as mine, for instance. If its just going to hang at camp to be viewed for a week each year, why pay $600? If youre fussy, and know a species well, get a more detailed job youll always be happy with. Theres alot of us taxidermists around, and we all have attributes that satisfy a wide range of clients needs.

BOWHUNTERCOP

I use George Dante: WILDLIFE PRESERVATIONS here in New Jersey, he charges roughly $600 for a deer shoulder mount, his wait time is at least 12 months, maybe longer for a deer head, hell my full body bear took him 15 months. If you want quality it will cost you, and it will take time

Bill Yox

bowhuntercop...have you seen George's new studio? Now thats a nice place! He's still the man, as far as Im concerned, with fish...fantastic.

BOWHUNTERCOP

Bill,

Yes I have been to the new shop a few times, he is just 10 minutes from me the shop is huge, super clean, and in order. His work is great, from fish, deer, bear, and etc.

Bill Yox

If you drew a line just across where the yellow stairs are, THAT would even be a nice studio! Id like to have an office like his...lol! Wink!

BOWHUNTERCOP

officer like his you would like? how about a secatary like his?

Bill Yox

Haha, you saw the wink? Uuuuh, that would be affirmative!