Best Elk Taxidermist

[nomadicbohunk]

Who does REALLY good elk mounts? Preferably in Colorado, New Mexico, or Wyoming.

My dad (I'm 36), drew a holy grail elk tag this year and might pop a big one. We're super picky about mounts. I'm kind of doing the legwork for him on this, and sort of forgot about it. He doesn't care about shipping so much in those states as he will just road trip out to pick it up. I just don't know anyone for elk that I've seen and really like, but I haven't ever looked either. Price isn't so much an object with this, but let's say a 3k shoulder mount would be out. So nothing really insane. Time isn't an issue either. We'd rather have a good mount that takes two years than a crappy one with quick turn around.

Thanks!

 

[Indian Summer]

Not in the states you listed but I like Steve Brett owner of Game Trails Taxidermy in Stevensville Montana. He’s a serious elk hunter himself and knows his elk mounts for sure. No higher priced than any quality taxidermist and a 1 year turn around.

 

[npm352]

Finding someone who does a decent elk is not difficult. Most ungulates are pretty straightforward.

If you are looking for a quality taxidermist, find a guy who does excellent lion mounts, and you will get a great elk mount. Cats are difficult and most look like Helen Keller did them. If he can ace a cat, an elk will look great.

 

[stonewall]

true about cats.

Robert Major in Las Cruces does good work

Majorwildlifestudio.com

www.majorwildlifestudio.com

 

[Yooper]

Chuck Testa at Ojai Valley Taxidermy gets my vote. I think he's got some videos of his work out on YouTube.

 

[MTPipeliner]

Finding someone who does a decent elk is not difficult. Most ungulates are pretty straightforward.

If you are looking for a quality taxidermist, find a guy who does excellent lion mounts, and you will get a great elk mount. Cats are difficult and most look like Helen Keller did them. If he can ace a cat, and elk will look great.

I second this opinion

 

[AaronMColeman]

I usually just euro mount mine but I’ve never gotten a monster...what is a fair to medium price for a shoulder mount? I thought $3k was normal haha

 

[norsepeak]

Sean West, State Line, Idaho. Captured Expressions. He is amazing and fast.

 

[reaperukon]

Look up kanati taxidermy. Out of PA........but holy cow are they amazing!!! If I ever get a bruiser it is going there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Jerrod Chapman - Almost Alive Taxidermy - Denver Colorado. 303-297-0757

When I finally kill an elk worth mounting he will be the one doing it.

 

[hobbes]

There are a lot of guys that do pretty good elk. You really have to go by and look at the work that they are sending out the door.

Photos online can be deceiving. A taxi will spend weeks working on a competition piece and show you photos of that but you may not be getting that level of work in the day to day commercial work. Maybe not even close. That's not always the case but be aware of that. I see some taxidermists posting photos on Instagram almost daily showing work that they are sending out the door.

It's always clear that some folks idea of good or great work is not the same as my own. A lot of people never make it past the antlers. Just from looking at the ones listed above I can see there is a wide range of what defines good. I consider some of what I saw mediocre at best.

There are taxidermists that specialize in just about everything. It's mostly regional but also because of their preference. Cats, birds and fish probably top the list on needing a specialist. Antlers tend to help focus people's attention away from mediocre work. It's a good idea to look for a specialist for any taxidermy; cats, sheep, bear, waterfowl, turkeys, fish, reptiles, you name it and some taxidermists are just better at those than others.