Taxidermy Turnaround Times
 

A recent posting on taxidermy turnaround times resulted in considerable discussion on what is a reasonable delivery time. The consensus appeared to center around a year, give or take. It was expressed that much shorter turnarounds often entail rush jobs and short cuts that can result in quality problems. Likewise, turnarounds that stretch too much beyond a year are unreasonable for a well run, efficient operation. I think the year or so benchmark is very reasonable, especially for smaller, locally owned operations that concentrate on North American game. Some operations are just one or two man businesses. For a few, taxidermy is even a sideline. Most are dependent on outside tanneries for getting capes tanned. And by depending largely on North American trophies, their work load can be very uneven. The work floods in during October, November and December and falls off drastically at other times of the year.

However, it is very possible to get absolutely top quality award winning taxidermy done in much less time. Just a couple of examples. Animal Artistry in Reno, Nevada promises a 90 day turnaround. The Wildlife Gallery, Blanchard, MI has a standard six month turnaround with a three month premium option. And there are a number of others around the country.

These outfits share some common characteristics. They are large and staffed to handle North American, African, Asian, etc. trophies on a year around basis; and have more uniform work loads. Because of their size, they often have a number of specialists that concentrate on specific tasks such as habitat work, taxidermy form shaping, finishing work such as painting etc. Their efficiency can be better than the "Jack of All Trades". They usually run their own tanning operations and frequently tan for others.

They also share one other commonality: They can be expensive compared to your local taxidermist. So you can get top quality work with short turnarounds. Just be prepared to pay!

One thing you did not mention is that the expense of shipping a mount half way across the country is very expensive. When I had my Bison skull done in MO where I killed it I used a taxidermist that worked with the outfitter because our vehicle was full of people and coolers full of meat and I did not want to deal with a buffalo head and hide spoiling on the way home. The cost to Fed Ex that skull which was put into a beetle colony and then cleaned up and whitened and mounted on a plaque with the 45-70 shell I killed it with cost almost as much as the cost of the taxidermist, it almost doubled the cost. Sometimes conditions dictate you get the animal mounted in the area where you killed it, however, If you have quality taxidermists near your home I highly recommend you use them. At least the person who did the work is nearby in the event you are not satisfied with the work and not half way across the country. Most areas have some quality taxidermist, I have several that are top quality artists and had circumstances been different, I would have used one of them. I really do not understand the need to have instant satisfaction by getting a mount quickly. I suspect the op never took a specimen to a taxidermist before and did not asked the questions he should have, and one of the important questions is, can you give me an estimate of the time it will take to finish and deliver the mount. The OP had an unrealistic expectation of turn around time and was not willing to concede to reality.

Two excellent posts guys and I hope the OP that started the other thread reads this one, although I doubt it will do any good.

I am very lucky, I have a very good taxidermist that gets mine done in about 3 months.

Lots of factors. My current taxidermist simply doesn't take in more than he can get done. My former taxidermist who was world class works in Pike Co IL and takes 2 years and cost a fortune.

The guy I use now doesn't have the artistic talent the Pike Co guy does but he does it right and it still looks good for 1/3 of the price and about 8 times faster.

Does he tan his own hides in order to get them back to you in that short time frame?

Yes, Hasn't always but does now.