Can you suggest some one in SE Mo. ? The last two bear I killed look nice but they look 1/2 as big as in the photos and according to the weight on a scale.My partner killed on that looks huge ! the one I killed weighed much more but it looks tiny compared to my friends, his went 550 mine went 623

Find another taxidermist. It may not be that they are shorting you but they may not be properly cleaning the hide and getting the "fluff" that makes bears look big. The last one I mounted took a whole bottle of Pert to clean it and the fluff is great. You are gonna pay for quality and if you don't mind that, send it to someone who can give you what you want, even if it's across the country. Maybe in your area guys don't know what a bear looks like. I know that sounds stupid but there is a look to a bear that some guys can't or don't get.

I know one in NW MO. LOL You are wise to shop around. When you are spending that much money on something it deserves a little research. I would suggest Devin Amelunke of Fredericktown MO. Very accomplished taxidermist in SE MO. A list of all of the Missouri Taxidermist Association members can be found here, and some listings include links to their websites. http://missouritaxidermist.org/members.htmGood luck!