I want to make it clear that I’m not bashing any taxidermist whatsoever…because an individual who is really skilled should receive fair compensation.

I do my own taxidermy work.. I don’t necessarily suck at it.. doing small animals and skin mount fish and birds..I mounted my first otter and it turned out okay.
So I’ve been out of the loop as far as what commercial taxidermists charge other than getting taxidermy catalogs..
I found a taxidermist, who I’m not familiar with, 20 miles away and he had his price list online.
2 grand for an otter.. last I knew it was maybe 3-400.

I’m not good enough to start a business and I think it would take the fun out of it.

What is the going rate in your neighborhood??

I tried posting pics but the upload box turns black while trying to upload

Get good at taxidermy and you can charge whatever you want.

Maybe they eat a lot of beef

$600 to$1000 for an otter.$700 to$1000 for a deer. Prices have gone up a lot since I quit in 2020.

To upload a picture just wait under a minute and the black will go away and the screen will show. Same delay as everything else

Here's a list popped up when I googled it...

I believe it was 2500 to 3k when I checked a few years ago. I honestly believe that that shop wasn’t comfortable doing it so the three out a stupid high number

Make friends with the people at the occult shop
There's things trapper's and hunters just throw away that they will pay crazy money for
Bones, glands, teeth, claws and on and on.
If you can find a wicken covenant in your area all the better

Not a sarcastic response, one that will help you make money
And then invest it in better taxidermy tools and maybe some classes

I'm not always a D...

WOW! At those prices, I must have over $20,000 in lifesize mounts!
And to think, I donated a B&C musk ox shoulder mount to the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game!

Your exactly right about that 2020 BS. I had been a taxidermist for close to 15 years, I gave it up as customers had to draw a line in the sand at what they were willing to pay and I don't blame them.

I do my own because I grew tired of paying to have it done. I remember when a deer head used to be $350-$450. Last I checked they are $750 plus. I understand that materials are expensive so some adjustments are necessary to continue making a profit but for the ridiculous pricing the best advice I have is something an old man said before. Taxidermy is a luxury not a need so price accordingly. The stupid high taxidermists may very well price themselves right out of work.

I closed my shop and retired 9 1/2 years ago. The prices in my area now are nearly double my prices back then........but, the tanning, form prices, and general overhead are all sky high now as well. Shipping costs alone are scary high. I had my All Purpose Boy order the supplies needed to mount a couple whitetail shoulder mounts for him a few months ago and the UPS charges from McKenzie in N.C. to my place in northern Michigan was $205!!!! I want to finally put together my Bison, cow Moose, and 5x5 Elk shoulder mounts this fall and I may be able to drive to S.D. to pick up the forms directly from the factory in Woonsocket for slightly less than the shipping will cost. Not a joke. There is the whole pheasant/prairie grouse hunting while I'm there bonus too........

It is what it is.

Can African cats be brought back to the US? Just asking. I have no plans to shoot anything I can’t also put in my freezer.