Mine took 12 months and cost $550. I was amazed at the quality of work and will go back for any mount I need done - No matter how long it takes. Quality of work > Time it takes
Exactly what ours is usually but this year he only took 20 bucks so he got mine done in about 4 months.
$550 - I have all my mounts back within 4 months as a general rule. Taxi I use also runs a tannery so I don't have extended wait time due to them using a 3rd party service. This is where most of the wait time occurs.
So here is your wait time, It typically has nothing to do with the volume of work the taxi has. Taxi holds hides to ship in bulk to tannery to save cost. 1-3 months Tannery has a 90-120 day ( can be longer) turn around time. Taxi waits to order forms and supplies for bulk discount. (Additional wait time) A good taxi can mount 1-2 deer a day once they get going.
Back home in NY most taxidermists are in the $500-$550 range and take 6 months to a year or so depending on how well they like you and how early you bring the mount in. In IL the better taxidermists are in the $550-$600 range. I have two heads at a taxidermist that most of the locals claim is the best guy in the area, I've seen a few of his mounts and they are really good. One thing I've learned about taxidermists is that everyones taxidermist seems to have an award or trophy of some sort. I don't know a lot about taxidermy competition but I've seen some awful mounts from guys that have various awards. I'm guessing it's like 3D competition where there are a ton of classes and sanctioning bodies and half the people get a trophy when it's done. I don't put a lot of stock in these awards, I'd rather see their mounts and look at the eyes, ear butts, and mouth and form my own opinion.
He had done some work for me in the past yes. He is excellent, you'd be hard pressed to find better. Anything really special goes to him. Right now for run of mill stuff I been using Meyers in coxsackie. very Good work, he isn't cheap but he is timely and very consistent.
Yes, Travis is good. He's done some exotics and mountain goats for a couple friends of mine back there and I've seen his deer mounts too. I only have one mount today and I'm still kicking myself for not bringing it to him. He's a great guy and one hell of an archer, we almost carpooled to the ASA Classic in 06' together.
My taxidermist tans the hides himself so the wait time is minimal. I paid $450 for my 2011 buck and $495 for my 2013 buck. I didn't wait more than 2 months for either mount and they came out beautiful.
If they tan their own yes the wait time should be a lot less...I still say ask to see a 5 and a 10 year old mount first though....
I'd be skeptical of most taxidermist that tan their own hides. I'd have to see their operation to have any level of confidence. Tanning is an art in itself and ultimately is going to determine the quality of the mount over time. There are a number of benefits if they tan their own hides properly.
He is the go to guy around here for anything other then deer and bear, it was years ago last I had anything done. He was excellent, took a fair amount of time, his prices were reflected in his work. I still have a contact for him if he is still in stephentown.
Range from $325 -$700. I've had two done from $325 guy and they are good. $100 down. He is very artsy and is really proud of work. Won't put his name on something that isn't top notch. He has been doing it around 5 years and that is why he is lower. I know he did a fish for a guy and returned his money to the customer because he didn't like his work. The customer was happy and thought it looked good. Customer wanted to pay full price and he wouldn't allow it. $700 guy does great work, but $700 is out of order in my area, IMO. Couple of other guys that do good work for $400. Another guy that charges $350, but his mounts usually have the eyes start splitting after a few years. I've had one done from him and that is the case with my mount. Time period depends on when it is shot. More mounts come in after shotgun season. Usually 6 months if you have one before shotgun season. Otherwise I would say a year for anything after. The wait really doesn't bother me one bit when I can get the antlers and show to people in the time it takes to do the mount.
The guy I usually use is over 70 and only taking in 5 heads a year. He charges me $375 and I get them back between 9 months and a year. I took my second buck to a new guy on a recommendation from a friend that gets a lot of stuff mounted. He is reasonable at $400 and 9 months. He is a retired art teacher so I am looking forward to seeing how he does. The only thing that sucks is he is 5 hours away.
