As a 15-year veteran of the professional taxidermy industry I’ve made some observations that can help sportsmen make an informed decision about the taxidermist that handles their trophy mount.
Preplanning Can Go a Long Way
After you’ve harvested a trophy worthy of preserving is not the time to look for a taxidermist. In some instances time is of the essence in getting your trophy to the taxidermist for initial processing.
With most birds, fish and small mammals short term storage in a freezer is adequate if done properly. Large mammals usually make freezing problematic due to size. I can remember a number of incidents where a proud hunter drove around with a deer in the back of a truck for hours only to learn that by the time a decision was made the hide had begun to spoil. Do some research ahead of time. After all, much of the thrill of hunting and fishing is in the preparation.
Visit a number of taxidermists in your area until you find one who suits not only your personality but the type of mount you hope to have completed. Most taxidermists welcome this kind of visit; just try to keep it short and to the point. Remember, you are on their clock and the time they spend visiting is time lost in the shop.
Sportsman's shows are another source for meeting taxidermists. These shows usually have multiple taxidermists displaying their work. Here you will have an opportunity to visit at length and examine some of the mounts on display as well as discuss proper handling of a specimen for preservation.
As with choosing any service professional there are many considerations involved in finding the right taxidermist. Mount type, experience, training, techniques, personality, completion time and price are all considerations to finding the right taxidermist for your situation.
Choose a Veteran in the Right Category of Mount Type
Most taxidermy businesses perform a wide range of services. Some taxidermists however choose to specialize in one or two aspects of the business. To the consumer it may appear that all mounts are equal but nothing could be further from the truth in more ways than one. The process to complete a deer shoulder mount is completely different from what is required to successfully mount a small mammal, bird, fish or reptile.
Choose a taxidermist who is versed in the type of mount you are having done. Don’t expect a fish or bird specialist to always be competent with your prized deer or elk. Likewise a taxidermist displaying only a variety of African and exotic game may not be the right choice for a whitetail deer or largemouth bass mount. Without the proper experience it’s like asking a welder to build a wooden deck in your backyard.
Experience and Training Go Hand in Hand
Experience is without a doubt the hallmark of any service business. This is especially true of taxidermy. Taxidermy is a complicated, artistic profession and requires a vast amount of information to be executed properly. Question a prospective taxidermist about his training as well as his experience.
A good indicator is whether or not an individual or business is associated and active with their state association or the National Taxidermists Association. Such associations offer a wealth of information and knowledge. Conventions, competitions and industry periodicals offer taxidermists a means to gain the training and critiques to continually improve their skills and stay abreast of the latest and greatest products available.
Accreditation programs are offered through many of the associations. Most accreditation programs are based on points and awards earned through competition with industry peers. These programs give the consumer a means of making a more informed decision about a taxidermist. Don’t hesitate to ask about such accreditations.
Techniques and Materials are Vital to a Lasting Mount
Preservation techniques are the most important aspect of a long-lasting taxidermy mount. There are basically two ways to preserve the skin of any specimen. Dry preservatives and brush-on tans are easiest to use but used improperly produce the least reliable results. Commercial tanning for mammal skins is undoubtedly the most reliable method but also creates an added but necessary expense. Skin preservation for birds, fish and reptiles is equally as important but too extensive to cover here. Question a prospective taxidermist about the “tanning” method used on these mounts. As a rule of thumb a dry preservative is the least desirable method for mount longevity.
Also too extensive to cover fully are the wide range of materials used. Question a few taxidermists about the materials used and draw your own conclusions based on those conversations. While each modern material used has an acceptable use in today’s taxidermy many are not equally suitable in all applications.
Personality Can Have a Great Impact on Your Interactions
Though personality may not seem like a consideration in selecting a taxidermist it can have a tremendous impact on your level of satisfaction with the final mount and overall experience. A finished trophy mount is a very personal item that captures the memory of a personal experience in the field. The personality of a taxidermist will show in the final mount. Closely examine the mounts a taxidermist has on display. By examining the mounts of a few different taxidermists you will be able to get a sense of the personality of the taxidermist and through that the character of their mounts. A conscientious taxidermist will produce a conscientious mount.
Each individual taxidermist has their own sequence and set of techniques used in every mount. This unique sequence will produce a recognizable character in the finished mounts of an individual taxidermist. Through close examination you can determine if that character pleases you and suits your personal tastes.
Completion Time Can Vary Greatly
Completion time of your mount can be a huge consideration. Completion time can vary anywhere from a few weeks to years from the time you leave your mount with a taxidermist. Usually due to the workload a taxidermist is faced with, completion time is one of the greatest points of discussion in the industry.
In most cases a time frame of 6 months to a full year is the norm. Really popular taxidermists and larger businesses can have completion times as long as three or more years. The target of most taxidermists is a 1 year maximum completion time allowing them to finish one season’s work in time for the next. A very reliable taxidermist can however be quickly inundated with work once the word gets out. For this reason don’t automatically turn away from a taxidermist that has a 1 ½ to 2 year completion time.
If you are not agreeable with the completion times quoted don’t leave your mount. However do keep in mind that good quality work can take a significant amount of time. At certain times of the season any taxidermist may have hundreds of mounts already on the schedule ahead of yours.
Price as Always is a Big Consideration
As with any product or service the price of a finished mount is a big consideration. The price should and usually does reflect the quality of materials, experience and time spent on a mount. As a general rule a higher price should reflect a better quality product. Don’t let a high or a low price make your decision for you. Sometimes the highest priced taxidermist in town will produce the highest quality mounts but this is not always the case. This is also true with the other end of the price scale. Bottom line is if you’re satisfied with all the other aspects discussed and can justify the expenditure it’s probably a good match.
Just a Few More Questions
Either while you’re interviewing taxidermists or after you’ve made a decision ask a few more questions to make the transaction go smoothly.
Most important with big game is what are the hours of operation and do they have secure drop-off facilities for after hours? This is an important issue especially in early season when temperatures can be high and detrimental to the condition of the hide. Plan in advance for whatever the situation may be, replacement hides although available can be a big, added expense.
What is the amount of required deposit? Reputable taxidermists industry wide will require some type of deposit to get started on your mount. The customary amount is 50% of the total cost. This requirement is reasonable given the amount of initial work and expense that is required before the mount goes into the final completion processes.
Will you be notified before the final stages of completion? As with the initial deposit you may need to plan ahead for the final payment. Having a courtesy call as the mount goes into the final stages of completion can help avoid any inconveniences regarding final payment.
By planning ahead and doing some research, selecting the right taxidermist can be a pleasant extension of the sporting experience.
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