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Shoulder mount

Bearcat

Bearcat

Member
This may not be the best place to post this, but I am perplexed. I was wondering if a shoulder mount should take a year to do. I have other shoulder mounts done before by another taxidermist, and it never took longer than 7 months!
 
I think it all depends when you shot your deer buddy. If you shot it late in the year say late muzzleloader then your obviously at the end of the line and I guess your at the taxidermist pace. All of the taxidermist I've talked to say their rule of thumb is to have all their deer done before next deer season starts (with guys who take over 100 heads a year pry isnt realistic to say) but thats what mine shoots for. IMO I'd rather wait and have my deer head done right and have the correct amount of time say for tanning and drying rather than rush my head and have it fall apart in a couple years.
 
Mine was early muzzle and it took around 3-4 months to get it back. Looks great, along with the cheapest I have seen around. I think he limits the amount of deer he does to around 100 deer so he can have a fast turn around for people. I would recommend the guy who did mine to anyone. I have heard of some places near me take over 1 year to 2 years to get it back.. and even then you dont know if a real taxidermist did it or a student.. hmm
 
I've had 5 done over the years and it has ranged from less than 6 months to right at a year.

I did take a head to a popular taxidermist in the area some time ago for a shoulder mount and was told it would be close to 2 years!! I thanked him for his honesty, and he gave me a solid recommendation for another guy to do the job.
 
Anywhere from 12-18 months is pretty common. Most of the taxidermists I know, have other jobs that keep them preoccupied for most of their time. I'd rather wait 2 years to have a quality mount then 2 months to have a sub-par mount :way:
 
All depends on the taxidermist and how professional they chose to be. A mount of the highest quality can be 100% done in as little as 20 days and that includes 2 weeks of just sitting there drying. 4 days for the tanning process 1 day to mount and a day for finish work.

I know of taxidermists who won't even touch a deer until they need the money, then there is the opposite like Joe Meder. He takes in a ton of deer and has his shop running like a fine tuned machine. 4-8 months on average and you will have your deer back from him. You pay a few extra bucks and in turn get the best quality commercial mount in America and a good turnaround time.

Asking for turnaround time should be done, if they say they don't know or you'll get it when you get it, go to another taxidermist.
 
breiner11 said:
I know of taxidermists who won't even touch a deer until they need the money, then there is the opposite like Joe Meder. He takes in a ton of deer and has his shop running like a fine tuned machine. 4-8 months on average and you will have your deer back from him. You pay a few extra bucks and in turn get the best quality commercial mount in America and a good turnaround time.
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:way::way::way:
 
I usually get mine back in 4-5 months. Not done by Joe but one of his students so may be the same as taking it to Joe.

Mobile Cooter
 
all i have to say is joe meder rocks! my bow buck is done and hopefully i will be able to go get it today or tomorrow if i have time... but theres also some bad eggs out there theres a guy east of afton off of 34 that has some deer he raises i believe its still living taxidermy or something long story short my youngest brother shot his first buck with a bow 2 years ago and we still dont have it back from him nor has he answered or returned our phone calls.. so its looking like it might be an issue..
 
A lot of it depends on whether or not the taxidermist is a hobby taxidermist, such as myself, or if they are doing it full time. If it was my full-time job I would get them done a lot sooner, however, I work 50 hours a week, have to cut a crap load of wood for the winter, have family and friend committments along with other hobbies such as hunting and fishing.. I usually try to tell most people to plan on a year, and if they get it back quicker, that's a plus.. I went to taxidermy school in Spirit Lake and the mount that was demonstrated to us was from a deer killed two previous seasons to it... I thought that was a long time, but Tom Matuska does awesome work from what I've seen. Before I went to taxidermy school though, I was taking mine to Durk Sterner in Lone Tree (Stuffy on here) and he was always really good at getting it done by about May or a little earlier.
 
breiner11 said:
then there is the opposite like Joe Meder. He takes in a ton of deer and has his shop running like a fine tuned machine. 4-8 months on average and you will have your deer back from him. You pay a few extra bucks and in turn get the best quality commercial mount in America and a good turnaround time.

Couldn't agree more :way:He has done a lifesize, couple deer heads and a gemsbok due back anyday now. Amazing work and detail. TRUE professional and as the saying goes, 'You get what you pay for :)"
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Takes about a year for the guy I go to. Took mine to another guy one time to get it back in two months worst deer i've ever seen.
 
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