August 2024 Taxidermy quote **STICKER SHOCK**

[Zach Lape]

Deer park is right outside of Oakland so I’m not sure what you are talking about. I was quoted 1375 for a kudu shoulder mount in early 2022 when I booked my trip. I’m sure it’s gone up in price like everything else but I doubt he would almost double

Dam is in fact 1st class. He is not in Deer Park - he is in Oakland near Deep Creek. But... he is not cheap. The prices that the OP posted is VERY close to Dan's. In fact, I wondered if that's Dans quote. Good work ain't cheap.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I posted a full hunt report and numerous photographs on hunttalk.com and more pictures on rockslide.com. I figured that since I hunted this desert Bighorn sheep in Arizona that I would post The Hunt report on those sites versus an African hunting site. Happy hunting, TheGrayRider A.k.a. Tom.

How rude! Teasing hunt report. Then depriving us details and interesting reading.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Taxidermy materials have gone through the roof and demand is high in most places. Having said that, I'd say those quotes are those of a tradesman that doesn't particularly want (need) the work.

 

[Denvir Tire]

While those prices are high, I’ll admit I’ve seen higher from a several of the big name shops where the name that made them and won the awards won’t even be touching your animals.

@gizmo does great work.

In the northeast you can try Joe at Northeast Taxidermy or Johnny at Its A Trophy Taxidermy. Both are based out of Connecticut. Johnny is a personal friend, a retired/disabled Navy Veteran who touches each piece himself and really specializes in Africa stuff. Joe does award winning work, he’s a bigger studio with a bunch of people working for him but he tends to do the fish and African stuff letting his crew turn through the typical deer and North American species.

It's safe to assume that the OP is from the northeast, therefore we also assume his shipment will flying into one of the NY airports, most likely JFK.
In order to take advantage of the lower priced taxidermy available outside the Northeast, the OP needs to ship his trophies to Indiana, Texas etc..
Can you imagine the additional shipping cost's? New York to Texas with the raw materials and then Texas to the OP's home with finished, crated shoulder mounts?!?! Last mile, residential delivery, lift gate boxtruck? Yes, it's less expensive almost anywhere outside the New York/New England area, and yes, it's going to cost more for African taxidermy. That's just how it is.

Three years ago I had an older Euro mount and a newer, dip and pack cape, both from a Namibian Kudu, assembled into a magnificent shoulder pedestal. The job was done at Northeast Taxidermy and I will, and have, recommended them to anyone that might ask. Three years ago the job cost me $2500, and now three years later it's still the same price.

 

[Firebird]

I remembered hearing on a podcast that splitting image had an associated company in the USA. I reached out to them by e mail and received the attached response. You may wish to touch base with them and see what recommendations they have.
Picking a taxidermist is as important as picking your ph. Spend some time with it, check references, meet them if you can! -good luck

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

@gizmo does great work. Erik has done three safaris and no4 is in shop now.

 

[Hunt27]

I don't know their prices but check with the wildlife gallery in Michigan. They are a big tannery and taxidermist; they tan for a lot of taxidermists in the US. direct ship the hides to them and you only have to ship once or drive to pick up once.

The Wildlife Gallery Custom Taxidermy Studio

The Wildlife Gallery is a Custom Taxidermy Studio offering high quality taxidermy, indoor mountains, trophy room design, and fine woodwork.

thewildlifegallery.com

 

[Doubleplay]

Wherever you look at US taxidermists will charge you an arm and a leg.
The good ones are so backed up they don’t want to take any more work anyway and highballing.
There are very good taxidermists in Africa and their prices are less than half and timing is way better.
Even with the shipping you’ll come on top and there’s less paperwork involved for the finished product.

 

[eatmore-pbj]

I waited a long time to go on my trip. Waiting a long time to get trophies is not a good thought. I'd rather pay more and see my animals sooner.

 

[Hunt12025]

How much is saved by just having everything European mounted and shipped back to the US from Africa?

 

[dchum]

How much is saved by just having everything European mounted and shipped back to the US from Africa?

That’s a good way to get some memories back and still save for next trip!

Just what ever your taxidermy bill would be of course.

Most euros have the horns removable and so can pack into very small crate and get a very “cheap” ride home.

 

[Hunt12025]

That’s a good way to get some memories back and still save for next trip!

Just what ever your taxidermy bill would be of course.

Most euros have the horns removable and so can pack into very small crate and get a very “cheap” ride home.

Estimated cost of Euro. mounted buffalo back to Atlanta?

 

[dchum]

Estimated cost of Euro. mounted buffalo back to Atlanta?

Sorry I have no experience with Buff

I would contact Wyatt Fetner at
Safari Specialty Importers - SSI

He will call you on your cell and is very personable. He should give you a ball park quote to your door.

 

[joker2400]

I just received a quote from a reptuable taxidermist in the northeast. There are others that I am contacting. Does some one have suggestions on another taxidermist from Maryland to New England area? I may have to take a chance and have them mounted in Africa and have them shipped. Here is the quote. Thank you.


Greater Kudu Shoulder Mount - $2,510.00
Zebra Pedestal Mount - $$3,750.00 plus the cost of the base. Base costs are determined by style and type of wood chosen.
Eland Shoulder Mount - $3,950.00
Gemsbok Shoulder Mount $2,100.00
Hartebeest Shoulder Mount $1,925.00

Using a fairly large (and busy) taxidermist locally my buffalo pedestal mount including the cost of the base is $3550, so I'd say those prices are fairly high.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I think my daughter charged right at $1K for the last moose euro. We made money on that one but not much. They are a huge pain in the arse. Also, seems every time one of those comes in the client has botched cutting the head off and I have to jerry rig some way to attach it. And the skulls are so heavy I have to custom make the hangers for back of the plaque. She simply prices them ridiculous in hopes client will change his mind and go with cap mount instead. Deer are only a couple hundred.

I suspect your taxidermist simply does not want the projects for one reason or another. Biggest reason would be trying to clean up the half ass shit these Africa taxidermists box up and send off. Horror stories abound on this forum. I personally have had a couple of horrendous experiences. Whole shipments that were pretty much trash. Local taxidermist is much happier having clients bring him North American heads he can skin and flesh himself. He can guarantee his work that way.

 

[PARA45]

We’d love to help you, please feel free to reach out. We’d be able to do the work and ship it to you for a lot less than what you were quoted. @Mekaniks posted my price list so that will give you an idea of what we charge. Bases are POR but I won’t beat you up on those either and all of mine are custom built by me.

I had @gizmo do the taxidermy from my 2022 safari, and I couldn't be happier. The mounts were delivered by a moving company that he uses, and they were in great shape. My Cape Kudu was a third of what they are charging you. BTW, don't let the distance scare you, the trailer that delivered my mounts had mounts going all over the Southeast, and they deliver all over the US. Here is a picture of my kudu so you can get an idea, BTW, the picture doesn't do any justice to the quality of the mount.

 

[Jonathan Kashouty]

Just take great pictures. I wasted so much money on taxidermy that I would love to have back and book another safari. Memories and experiences are what life is really about.

 

[SETH RINGER]

Those prices are ridiculous. I was just updating my spreadsheet of where my taxidermy is and the various statuses...3 countries and 6 different shops...and I said I was done bringing stuff home. This next Africa hunt in Oct I'm going on the record...bring nothing home! Can I get a witness?!

AMEN!!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I just received a quote from a reptuable taxidermist in the northeast. There are others that I am contacting. Does some one have suggestions on another taxidermist from Maryland to New England area? I may have to take a chance and have them mounted in Africa and have them shipped. Here is the quote. Thank you.


Greater Kudu Shoulder Mount - $2,510.00
Zebra Pedestal Mount - $$3,750.00 plus the cost of the base. Base costs are determined by style and type of wood chosen.
Eland Shoulder Mount - $3,950.00
Gemsbok Shoulder Mount $2,100.00
Hartebeest Shoulder Mount $1,925.00

I sympathize with you. When you look at the cost of taxidermy, shipping and air fares the hunt cost isn’t so bad.

The cost of a really good digital camera, pro quality printers range no more than a few thousand dollars.

When we were located in a different part of Zim we had a few schools beg us for skulls for wildlife studies.
Just a thought.

Lon