No Profanity *** No Flaming *** No Advertising *** No Anti Trappers ***NO POLITICS
No Non-Target Catches *** No Links to Anti-trapping Sites *** No Avoiding Profanity Filter


Home~Trap Talk~ADC Forum~Trap Shed~Wilderness Trapping~International Trappers~Fur Handling

Auction Forum~Trapper Tips~Links~Gallery~Basic Sets~Convention Calendar~Chat~ Trap Collecting Forum

Trapper's Humor~Strictly Trapping~Fur Buyers Directory~Mugshots~Fur Sale Directory~Wildcrafting~The Pen and Quill

Trapper's Tales~Words From The Past~Legends~Archives~Kids Forum~Lure Formulators Forum~ Fermenter's Forum


~~~ Dobbins' Products Catalog ~~~


Minnesota Trapline Products
Please support our sponsor for the Trappers Talk Page - Minnesota Trapline Products


Print Thread
Hop To
Question for taxidermists #8083834
02/22/24 08:01 PM
02/22/24 08:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 386
Pennsylvania
P
Pilgrim22 Offline OP
trapper
Pilgrim22  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 386
Pennsylvania
Looking for what you would charge on a skunk mount…base price


Adam Matalavage
Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8083853
02/22/24 08:32 PM
02/22/24 08:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,693
S.E. Ohio
M
M.Magis Online content
trapper
M.Magis  Online Content
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,693
S.E. Ohio
It depends on a lot of factors, not the least of which is the taxidermists skill level. I would expect a minimim of $700-$800, but some are going to be well north of $1000.

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8083872
02/22/24 09:01 PM
02/22/24 09:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,527
West Central MN
20scout Offline
trapper
20scout  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,527
West Central MN
Last one I asked about was right at $1000.


Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8083873
02/22/24 09:02 PM
02/22/24 09:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 497
Minnesota
MNEric Offline
trapper
MNEric  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 497
Minnesota
Tim you could do that yourself

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: MNEric] #8084065
02/22/24 11:40 PM
02/22/24 11:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,527
West Central MN
20scout Offline
trapper
20scout  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,527
West Central MN
Originally Posted by MNEric
Tim you could do that yourself

Maybe as a road kill....

Last edited by 20scout; 02/22/24 11:41 PM.

Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8084071
02/22/24 11:44 PM
02/22/24 11:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,421
Pennsylvania
elsmasho82 Offline
trapper
elsmasho82  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,421
Pennsylvania
I think small mammals life size around the board these days is starting at 800-900 without bases. I called around about my fox. It’s what it is…..

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8084188
02/23/24 07:48 AM
02/23/24 07:48 AM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 386
Pennsylvania
P
Pilgrim22 Offline OP
trapper
Pilgrim22  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 386
Pennsylvania
I was quoted $1600. Why so expensive? He does decent work
I paid $900 for my fox from a reputable taxidermist 2 years ago. That included base and extras


Adam Matalavage
Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8084191
02/23/24 07:50 AM
02/23/24 07:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,693
S.E. Ohio
M
M.Magis Online content
trapper
M.Magis  Online Content
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,693
S.E. Ohio
Because its a lot of work. Not many people willing to work for $10/hour, nor should they be.

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: M.Magis] #8084200
02/23/24 08:21 AM
02/23/24 08:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,670
Iowa
T
trapdog1 Offline
trapper
trapdog1  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,670
Iowa
Originally Posted by M.Magis
Because its a lot of work. Not many people willing to work for $10/hour, nor should they be.

True, but there is also such a thing as pricing yourself out of business.

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8084204
02/23/24 08:24 AM
02/23/24 08:24 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,717
Williamsport, Pa.
J
jk Offline
trapper
jk  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,717
Williamsport, Pa.
At that price a photo would do me!!!


Free people are not equal. Equal people are not free. What's supposed to be ain't always is. Hopper Hunter
Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8084229
02/23/24 08:48 AM
02/23/24 08:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 233
pa
P
poconobear Offline
trapper
poconobear  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 233
pa
I was in a similar position with an otter. Prices ranged from $1200-1800 for a mount and base. Ended up getting it tanned. Worked for me
Good luck with your decision

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8084256
02/23/24 09:21 AM
02/23/24 09:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,066
East Central Wi.
coyote addict Offline
trapper
coyote addict  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,066
East Central Wi.
Look up forms, eyes,ear liners,base, habitat materials in McKenzie taxidermy catalog. Then add on tanning , shipping, and bogus surcharge. Now skinning it properly with all body parts intact and a lot of time mounting it .Some people won't bat an eye at paying someone 75.00 a hour to put a spark plug in a mower or clean a carburetor. My point is your paying for an artist skills. I forgot to mention also dealing with the unpleasant smell .800 to 1000 is in the ball park.


Member -W.T.A. N.T.A. - N.R. A.
A Shotgun. A Rifle and a 4 Wheel Drive.. A Country Boy. Will Survive
Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: trapdog1] #8084536
02/23/24 05:32 PM
02/23/24 05:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,693
S.E. Ohio
M
M.Magis Online content
trapper
M.Magis  Online Content
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,693
S.E. Ohio
Originally Posted by trapdog1
Originally Posted by M.Magis
Because its a lot of work. Not many people willing to work for $10/hour, nor should they be.

True, but there is also such a thing as pricing yourself out of business.

I’ll assume you aren’t familiar with the cost of supplies and how many hours of work are involved. Taxidermy is a luxury item, not everyone can afford or justify the cost. But there are enough that can to keep the good taxidermists buried in work. I know lots of taxidermists that went out of business because they didn’t charge enough. I’ve never heard of a single one that “priced themselves out of business”.

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8084615
02/23/24 07:20 PM
02/23/24 07:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,421
Pennsylvania
elsmasho82 Offline
trapper
elsmasho82  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,421
Pennsylvania
Definitely IS a luxury item. And an ego stroker.
I am battling with my own decision and haven’t yet set it in stone what I will do with this fox. I have no other vices and big payments. I can pay it off. Is it worth the cost? That is something YOU have to decide.
I’ve played around with taxidermy myself but I want this one done RIGHT. He was too pretty and too special for me to ruin and end up looking cartoony and wonky

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: elsmasho82] #8084660
02/23/24 08:11 PM
02/23/24 08:11 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 242
PA
S
Snyde901 Offline
trapper
Snyde901  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 242
PA
Originally Posted by elsmasho82
Definitely IS a luxury item. And an ego stroker.
I am battling with my own decision and haven’t yet set it in stone what I will do with this fox. I have no other vices and big payments. I can pay it off. Is it worth the cost? That is something YOU have to decide.
I’ve played around with taxidermy myself but I want this one done RIGHT. He was too pretty and too special for me to ruin and end up looking cartoony and wonky

You could always case skin it with the feet on and get a soft tan. Display it as a wallhanger and if in the future you want to get it mounted they can rehydrate and mount it then.

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Snyde901] #8085077
02/24/24 10:00 AM
02/24/24 10:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,421
Pennsylvania
elsmasho82 Offline
trapper
elsmasho82  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,421
Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by Snyde901
Originally Posted by elsmasho82
Definitely IS a luxury item. And an ego stroker.
I am battling with my own decision and haven’t yet set it in stone what I will do with this fox. I have no other vices and big payments. I can pay it off. Is it worth the cost? That is something YOU have to decide.
I’ve played around with taxidermy myself but I want this one done RIGHT. He was too pretty and too special for me to ruin and end up looking cartoony and wonky

You could always case skin it with the feet on and get a soft tan. Display it as a wallhanger and if in the future you want to get it mounted they can rehydrate and mount it then.


Thank you that’s a good idea too. But we are dropping him off today at the taxidermist! God help me if I catch my first coyote or fisher next season. I’ll be broke for sure

Re: Question for taxidermists [Re: Pilgrim22] #8085089
02/24/24 10:30 AM
02/24/24 10:30 AM
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,777
Wisconsin
B
Bear Tracker Offline
trapper
Bear Tracker  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,777
Wisconsin
My brother has done taxidermy for 20 plus years now. I am retired now and decided to help him out and learn some myself as well. So I started just doing the fleshing on my beam and cleaning up the heads. I caught my first bobcat and fisher this year both nice animals. I am going to mount them and my brother is tutoring me as I go. I never realized how much work, how meticulous, and time-consuming it is. He is much faster of course and I frustrate him, lol. Skinning and fleshing the body is easy, for most of us. Turning the lips, eyes, ears, and toes, and cleaning the pads, took me forever. But very rewarding. Now as mentioned out to tanning, he tans his own deer hides, but all else goes out.
We have one local guy who is charging deer shoulder mounts $900.00 and it all goes up from there. He is so busy he is limiting his work for next year. So as with anything it is demand-based pricing. If I was not doing this my self or my brother, I would be doing hangers.

Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread