ipscshooter

I'm still waiting on my buck from December 2004. The guy had done work for me in 1997 and did a great job, so, I went back to him again in 2004. I was originally told that it wouldtake about 9 months, but then my taxidermist needed back surgery and his doctor wouldn't let him work for several months...

I used another taxidermist for my 2005 stuff, and he's promised it back by the end of February. So, I may get my 2005 hog and euro-mount 8 point back before I get my 2004 10 point...

I'm hoping that the quick turn-around time for the new guy isn't indicative of poor work. The stuff he had on display at his shop looked pretty good and he's been in business for 25 years...

Here's a pic of my 1997 buck done by my first taxidermist:

NY Bowhunter

none taken dd. I have waited up to 7 years for a good full body bigfoot mount though.

121553

I don't mind waiting for my mount, but when I come back in a year to pick it up, charge me what was quoted at the time, but it seems like when ever I pick up my mount, the price is always higher than when I took it in. This has happen to me twice if not 3x's. [:@]

Bobby

DoctorDeath

Well the poll so far seems to be a concsciences that most do not mind waiting from 6 months to a year ... I see that there was 7 who voted up to 18 months ( they must have been in the business LOL) ...I think for the most part that Taxidermist do get most of their work out in that amount of time ...

dd

gamehunter1269

I work at a taxidermist. I know how long it takes. we quote how long we "THINK" it might be. Sometimes its longer. Some taxidermist tan their hides themselfs. Some dont. We just started tanning ourselfs. IT saves time and money. So if you are waiting to long on your taxidermist the you should just ask him a few questions. The people who bug them the most get there's first.

YooperMike

I guess I fall into the "What's the hurry?" school. In the Upper Peninsula recently, taxidermy has become a popular trade. Not sure why, but all of a sudden there are a bunch of new taxidermists trying to cut the throats of the established guys. The #1 thing the new guys are pushing is time of return. A good friend of mine's dad shot a giant in Sask. and since he went to church with one of the new guys, he took it to him. He had it back in a month, but the mount looked like mice had chewed the hell out of it or it was a cape from a roadkill. If the work is done well, then I'll wait as long as it takes. I agree that there are usual and customary times to wait, but to expect something in a couple months I think is unreasonable.

You are going to have the mount for the rest of your life, so I guess waiting a couple months won't kill you. If you need to stroke your ego that bad by getting the mount back quicklyto show it off, then maybe hang a life size picture on the wall until the mount is done.

gobbler afflicted

I am still waiting after three years, I am at the point now that I just hope I get it back, its already paid for.

Bill Yox

Now that things have settled down here, Ill tell you what I do to try to make the wait more bearable. I always suggest the customer come on back after the season is over, and take the antlers home. That way he can spend that quality time with them, fondle them, show them off, get them scored, whatever. I think that helps, at least my customers all think so. They usually are surprised they can. Without saying so to them, it also gives them the opportunity to visit with me when they chose to return the antlers, or when I call and request them. I believe they feel a bit better having that open line of communication with me. I sure dont mind, as the antlers dont belong to me anyways, and besides, I store all my antlers so theyre NOT in my studio, for security reasons, so less is good!

I still have a few customers every year that grow impatient, but they all know going into it what to expect. By the way, the fellow who said if they get bugged enough, those go first? Hahaha, thats no more fair than a guy paying more money to expedite things. Thats not fair to those who accept the normal terms, pay their deposit and are patiently waiting, to get pushed further back. They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease...here, the squeaky wheel gets carried far enough away that I dont hear it squeak anymore!

kshunter

My answer to the question... It should take no longer than what the taxidermists stated when the animal was taken it. If it is 6, 12, 18, 24 months, as long as the taxidermist is upfront, then it's fine with me.

DoctorDeath

Bill thats a heck of a good idea that I never thought of and thats letting the customers take his rack home ... of course Canada won't allow a non resident do that I don't think ..or at least will not allow him to ship the rack back ..I may be wrong about that ...anyway thats a GREAT idea ..

dd