Elk and deer shoulder mounts

[mdunc8]

Just wondering how much everyone on here pays for elk, deer, and antelope shoulder mounts. Nothing crazy, just the normal mount with wooden plaque. I'm just curious what the going rate is. It's been about 10 years since I've had one done and I wanted to make sure I don't overpay for the mounts I plan on having done next year. I'd be curious to hear how much Big Fin and others paid for their pedestal mounts. My wife is limiting my mounts to our office (unless I get lucky and drop a big elk, which will only fit in our stairwell) and I'm starting to run out of wall space. I've never seen one in person, but they look pretty nice. My dad and I do some woodworking on our own, so we wouldn't need to buy the pedestal.

[Randy11]

No body really does shoulder mounts on plaques that I know of, but I'm sure you could get one done if you really wanted.

I've had two deer shoulder mounts done and paid right around 550 for each. I found cheaper guys that would do it in Missoula, but I like the work that my guy does.

We looked into shoulder mounts on elk when my girlfriend had a pretty good tag a couple years ago, they were running right around a grand.

I'm probably done on plain shoulder mounts, unless I ever decide I want to get a big bull done at some point. I'd still like to get an antelope and an early season deer of each species done, but will probably go with either pedestal or one of the floating wall mounts with a turned in shoulder (no idea what they're called).

[Buschy]

mdunc8,

For standard wall mounts, not pedestals, it ranges from 450-600 for deer and 900-1200 for elk around here.

[Big Fin]

If you are willing to wait a long time, the guy out your way does the best work in the valley. His prices are so low, relative to the quality, he will always be really, really, busy.

Here are the prices paid for these, the last three critters I have had mounted. This costs do not include the pedestals:

$400
20096


$375
20098


$375
20097

[Bucnutz.wis]

I have a buddy I work with do my mounts. He's done several for me already - 1 was a pedestal mount.

$200 - this year he raised it to $300 for my second pedestal mount that should be done in a few weeks.

He only does about 2 dozen a year, part time.

[Oak]

Fin, those are bargain basement prices for crap work. I can't believe you're getting that kind of quality for that price.

I would expect to pay $550-$800 for a good deer shoulder mount, $500-$650 for an antelope, and $900-$1,200 for an elk. Pedestal prices depend on what kind of base you use. This one cost me $800 for the mount and $400 for the base:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii292/ColoradoOak/Miscellaneous/Mount-1.jpg

[Randy11]

Holy crap Oak, that is an absolutely gorgeous mount.

[fowladdict1]

BF,

Can you post the scores on those two pronghorn again? I can't remember what they were...I love the one on the bottom.

[fowladdict1]

BF,

Never mind I found exactly what I was looking for.

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=241318

Even though the one in the bottom picture scores less, I think I still like him more.

[schmalts]

I do all my own, except I pay another taxi to do my tanning. All and all it cost me about 100$ plus my time

[stillkickin]

Going rate up here for deer is about $500, even from the average Taxi's......MH

[1_pointer]

For those of you that have done taxidermy work, how much does the materials cost?

[mdunc8]

How much longer, if at all, does the cape need to be on pedestals?

[mdunc8]

Is there anything is should wipe down my mounts with them to help protect them and keep them looking new? I thought I remember seeing something on tv for shinning up the antlers.

[Lawnboy]

For those of you that have done taxidermy work, how much does the materials cost?

I had 30 in the tanning and around 50 in the form. Then I would guess another 20-30 maybe in clay and other materials. I had a friend help me who is a taxi, so I 'm not totally sure of all the costs. All I know is that when you figure in the caping, fleshing and all the other crap that goes into one the taxidermist is earning his money. Especially Fin's at those prices.

I'm still a little suspect on Fin's prices and return time. He's got to be offering up some sort of special side services or money.;) He gets his back way faster than most. I still have a bear that has been there for 3 years.:eek: I haven't bugged him about it and am sure he would start on it if I got after him. I want to get a good deal as well so I don't pester him. He has traded me for capes of elk and deer in the past for euro mounts. I really like him and get along with him well.

[Ovis]

Fin & Oak those are both smoking deals. Fin, any idea if the guy you used would crate & ship? Oak, I paid what you paid for the mount and base for just my mount...and that was with the friend discount, oh and then there was shipping.

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/picture.php?albumid=146&pictureid=1076

[Big Fin]

Fin & Oak those are both smoking deals. Fin, any idea if the guy you used would crate & ship? Oak, I paid what you paid for the mount and base for just my mount...and that was with the friend discount, oh and then there was shipping.

http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/picture.php?albumid=146&pictureid=1076

That sheep mount is still worth more than however many dollars you might have paid for it. Beautiful.

If ever Oak needs a place to store his sheep mount, I can put some of my items in storage and make room here.

As far as the taxi I use here in MT, he does all the work for the hunters on Ted Turner's ranches around here, which means he is shipping things all over. He also does a lot of work for clients of most the big name outfitters I know of around here. Not sure how he does this work, at this price, but I am glad to wait for his final product.

I am sure he will ship. He also receives a lot of stuff shipped to him, which he is obviously crating and shipping when he is done. Not sure what his turnaround and price is for work he does for people out of this area.

Can gladly give you his contact info, if you want it.

[elkkill2006]

My taxidermist charges 575 for deer and antelope and between 900-1200 on elk depending on size. Any custom work is going to cost to another 150-200 dollars.

[1_pointer]

Lawnboy- Thanks for the info. Reason I asked is that I need a cold weather activity and have thought about trying my hand at doing some work myself. But, I didn't want to give it try if it was gonna be too expensive.

[Ovis]

Fin, assuming I am successful in Sept w/ my first Wy lope hunt, I will surely need that contact info from you. Beautiful work! I'm used to waiting over a year for my mounts.

[ashersdad]

I paid $900 for my 2009 elk and $450 for my 2009 antelope. I've had them back over a month now, so the turnaround time is awesome. The Kansas deer from December should be done next month.

[Elkwhisper]

Are we talking about Jerry out on Springhill??? I assume we are. Took well over a year to get my griz rug back, and if I remember right a solid 18 months to get my black bear rug back....... but that said the price and quality more than made up for the wait. He did a couple European mounts for me as well, and those always came back in less time. It never ceased to amaze me how much stuff he had stacked up out there at any given time. Makes me wonder how he keeps it all straight.

Elkwhisper

[Big Fin]

Are we talking about Jerry out on Springhill??? I assume we are. Took well over a year to get my griz rug back, and if I remember right a solid 18 months to get my black bear rug back....... but that said the price and quality more than made up for the wait. He did a couple European mounts for me as well, and those always came back in less time. It never ceased to amaze me how much stuff he had stacked up out there at any given time. Makes me wonder how he keeps it all straight.

Dan - That is who we are talking about. I think the same thing when I go out there. You see a stack of antlers, horns, and hides which would fill a few boxcars and you have to wonder, "Do I really want to leave mine in that mess?"

I always keep the horns or antlers at my house, until he is ready for them. Not that he has ever lost anything, but I figure then I know where he is at on my project. And, when I go to drop it off, it gives me another reason to go out and look at all the cool stuff he has out there.

He does have my black bear hide from last May, that all I asked for was to get it tanned and I will have a bear pelt (Greenhorn showed me that idea, and he has a stack of plews that is the envy of any bear hunter).

Hope he isn't confused and doing a full rug on it, as I am fresh out of wall space. Would have to send it with my son to put on his dorm wall back at Cornell. Ha, that would be cool. How many college kids have a bear rug on their wall, floor?

Greenie - Have you got your 2009 hide back from him yet?

[Drake4]

I know a couple of guys who are still waiting on there 2009 bear hides from him.

I was just out there a couple of weeks ago with my dad, discussing options for his bighorn from this fall. He is only charging him $500 which I was blown away at, and also said he should have it done by the end of the summer (we will see). I love going in that place. He had one of the prettiest griz full mounts I have ever seen.

Fin..you have probably posted this before, but how much did you pay for those walnut pedestals?

[Big Fin]

I know a couple of guys who are still waiting on there 2009 bear hides from him.

I was just out there a couple of weeks ago with my dad, discussing options for his bighorn from this fall. He is only charging him $500 which I was blown away at, and also said he should have it done by the end of the summer (we will see). I love going in that place. He had one of the prettiest griz full mounts I have ever seen.

Fin..you have probably posted this before, but how much did you pay for those walnut pedestals?

I would have to go back and look, but I think I got the first one for $400, and then when I asked for two more, the guy stated he just wasn't making any money at that price and he asked for an extra $25. It was in that range, and I know I am within $25 +/-.

I will look for the link where I previously posted that info, if I can find it.

[buckwild]

you guys are paying too much for taxidermy...when i get a chance i'll post some pics of the mounts i've done for myself and a few buddies...you all have some magnificent looking mounts tho, congrats

[Big O]

Oak and Ovis- those are awesome sheep mounts. I want one of those bad. I'm not sure I'd care what those cost as good as they look.

[WFGinNM]

Oak and Ovis- those are awesome sheep mounts. I want one of those bad. I'm not sure I'd care what those cost as good as they look.


I agree, those are awesome sheep and mounts.

--BIll

[powderburn]

Reason we don't do many mounts around my place. These two Antelope were $1033.00 a piece canadian. That's a good price where I come from. The two whitetail we did ourselfs a couple years ago for under $300.00 each
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/b6extreme/antelope10032.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a145/b6extreme/antelope10031.jpg

[mdunc8]

I like those antelope. I've got one at the taxidermist that's probably the average of those two. Are those pictures taken from the side or straight on? I'm guessing straight on with the angle of the ceiling. If so, I like them. I've never seen them done like that (only the ones where the backside is showing and covered in felt).

[Lawnboy]

Just got a call from Fin's taxidermist and he wanted to know if I wanted open or closed mouth on my black bear. Wooo Hoo. It's been 4 years:eek: but I wasn't pushing for it either. It was a big bear but didn't have that great of hide compared to one other I have and Fin's from the show. I'll post picts when I get it back. It was a long guy nose to tail but not real wide. Jerry does a great job and has always been more than fair with me.

[mdunc8]

I was gonna take mine to Andres, but I don't have the patience to wait years to get my animals back. I did get some good recommendations from Critter and Brandon. I've got a mini competition going between their two guys.

I'm still trying to talk myself into chasing bears this spring. I saw quite a few last summer and fall, but I don't know if I could pull the trigger on one. It looks and sounds like a lot of fun though.

[Drake4]

I saw quite a few last summer and fall, but I don't know if I could pull the trigger on one.

You could..and once you do...you'll do it again. :)

[powderburn]

(only the ones where the backside is showing and covered in felt).

These are mounted like that, they are hung on the wall until we get some old cedar fence poles to make a couple stands out of. I've got 3 mule deer that need to get done, mine my sons and my daughters. I'm getting a part time job strapping a mattress to my back so I can give curb service to the old gals so's I'll have enough money to pay for them.

[Hem]

I've tried three taxis in the Gallatin valley.The first was the one Fin uses.I'll NEVER go back to him.I took a mid range antelope in for mounting,which the taxi mostly sneered at,then clearly sicked one of his traineees on the mounting.The form was completely the wrong size.MY animal had an enormous snout,the one I got back looked like it hadn't had a drink of water in 5 years,all shriveled up and bony.It took for ever,so what,I'll never go back.
The second taxidermist has a pretty bad reputation in the valley,as far as customer interaction.I have talked to numerous people who were pretty ticked off,however this guy did a big antelope(missed all-time B and C from a 7/8 deduction) and a 146 whitetail for me and I would say the work was outstanding.He nailed both animals.Took a year.
The third taxidermist did a mountain goat and my most recent whitetail.$565.00 for the deer.Pricey maybe,BUT I paid up front and got my deer back in 9 weeks.Good work.The quick turn around due to he tans the smaller frame hides himself.I'll pm you names if you need 'em. Nate

[nbell]

I haven't had one done in a long time, and my old taxidermist retired. I am having the deer I shot this year done and shoped around and looked at all there mounts. The five guys I looked at went from 450 up to 700. Funny part was the best work I saw was done by the guy for 450, and the worst by the guy who wanted 700.

[mdunc8]

If I remember correctly, I'm paying $380 for the antelope and a little over $400 for my deer.

[Greenhorn]

I've never had bad results with Andres. I was just out there today, that guy's the hardest working mo-fo on earth.