I know there is allot of variables, but what is the average cost of having a bear hide made into a rug in Wisconsin? Price per foot from a taxidermist. I may be putting the cart before the horse here, but I have a tag and my youngest wants a rug made from it (if and when I get one!) I don't have a taxidermist, but I would like to know what a fair price is going in. I am not looking to go cheap, but also looking for a fair price.

Any suggestions on a good taxidermist? Central Wisconsin.

Thanks for any help!

Anywhere from $150-$180 per foot. Some charge extra for an open mouth. (IMHO they look dumb with a closed mouth) I am having one done right now total is going to be around $900 for a 6-foot bear. My taxidermist charges $150/foot with the open mouth included.

If it was me, I'd be looking here.
https://wtainc.org/find-a-taxidermist/
and THEN ask for references and photos/prices.

Check out Wild woods Taxidermy in Fifield,Wi.

150.00 per foot around here. I disagree with Bernie. I have killed 15 bear have yet to see one with an open snarling, growling etc. type mouth. Maybe with hounds but I like my mounts natural as when i harvest them.

I got my bear in 2012 and got my rug made by Todd Krueger of Todd's Wildlife Taxidermy in Mauston, WI. Todd does beautiful work and has an excellent reputation. I cannot remember what his charge per foot was, but I can find the receipt if you'd like. I also prefer the closed mouth. I didn't want the fake mouth interior and the bear thought this was a better look on him as well. He was pretty agreeable.




Good luck with your hunt!

I prefer closed mouth bear mounts too, open mouth (snarling) just does not seem realistic to me. Fortunately my taxidermist agrees, lol.

RiverRat, as you can see, there are lots of opinions as to quality and price. The very best way to decide is to visit as many shops as you can, and talk to the taxidermists. Look over their work. After visiting a few studios you will start to get an idea as to what constitutes a quality job. You want to shop quality first, price second. I operated my own shop as a full-time taxidermist for several decades (30+ years), and know scores of talented taxidermists........some were talented at their work, some mostly at SELLING their work. There is a difference.I knew folks that took in tens of thousands of dollars more worth of work than other places, but were just better at slinging the B.S. and selling/promoting themselves than they were at actually doing the work. Some very highly talented people just didn't want that volume of workload and took in much less work. Some shops have a regular gang of folks that not only are talented, but productive as well. Go see these places for yourself so you are informed and wont be unpleasantly surprised when you go pick that completed rug up! Not only that, but when you have made your decision as to which taxidermist you want to trust your bear with, you can get detailed advice from THAT guy/gal as to field care and skinning method, etc. That is a big deal. If you don't do your part before you deliver it, there may not be quality there for the taxidermist to work with from the start. Oh the horror stories I could tell about the bears I had people show up with!

Check out Spring Creek Taxidermy. He is around Amherst WI. Not that far from you. Has a show room. Mike is very good. If you want his ph#. pm me.

Don't go by price! Go by what you yourself like...look at the faces in the shops you check out.

When you see the right one .. you'll know it!