Just picked up my mount..HELP!!
 

So I am in need of some good advice. I just picked up my shoulder mount and boy am I disappointed. I went to a new guy this year and I am afraid he ruined my deer. The problem I have with it, is that the ears move, the hide moves, and appears to not be glued down everywhere, there are some blood stains, and it looks like no airbrushing was done. What do I do? It seems to me like it may just need to dry for now, so I hung it up and keep the ceiling fan on. What about the slight blood stain on the brisket and nose area? It looks terrible since its on the white! He didnt even sew one of the holes on the shoulder. Should I just take this to a better taxi and have them look at it? Im kinda freaking out here...pictures are posted, but doesnt look so bad in them.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay? It can be fixed, but it will need a new cape and a competent taxidermist. Expect to pay $600 to $700 to have it done right.

By the time a taxidermist goes over that thing he'll probably end up charging you close to what he would if he started from scratch. You might as well just get a new cape and start over my friend. Expect to pay in the mid 400's any way you slice it.

$400? Figure $125 for the cape that leaves $275 for the mount. I'm guessing paying only $275 for a deer mount is what got him in this mess to begin with. Like I said, if you want it done right expect to pay $600 to $700 MORE.

6-700 is crazy expensive. All my other deer mounts were $350 and they are some of the best Ive seen. My regular taxi was just super slammed this year so I tried someone else. Im no taxidermist, and dont claim to be very knowledgable on the subject but your advice was a little off. I took it to my regular guy and he told me it just needed to finish drying and repainted. Its been drying for 2 days and already looks 100x better. And he said he would touch it up with the airbrush for free since I have brought him a lot of business. There are a few good ppl left out there. But thanks for responding to my post.

A little paint isn't going to fix that deer, but if you are happy with it then that's all that matters. Quality deer mounts usually run between $450-$800+ so my estimates were not "off". Add to the price of mounting one the cost of a replacement cape and $500 instantly becomes $625, that's where I got my numbers.

What I paid this year is 600 and my taxi does excellent work just do what makes you happy

...and that was with your cape. Imagine the price if you had to buy a replacement cape.

Yeah but part of the reason I took it to him is a friend ran over my horns and broke one and I new he could fix it

Nobody has said it yet, so I guess I will,
Great Deer!!!! from the pictures it sure looks ok to me. Congratulations!!





Doc