Difference in $5K and $10K Lifesize Taxidermy

[HornPorn]

For budgeting purposes, Ive been pricing lifesize goat mounts for my upcoming goat hunt. I'm seeing many of the more famous/publicized shops who are at all the shows, or hot shit on Instagram with influencers getting their stuff mounted there, etc. are in the $9-10K range for lifesize mount, habitat, etc., whereas the majority of other operations are in the $5-6K range.

Besides saying "XXX" did this mount, is there really a 2X difference in quality from the 6 or 7 high end taxis and the rest of the world, or are people just paying for the name?

 

[voltage]

It certainly depends. Higher price does not always mean higher quality. But it usually does…

I haven’t looked at many mountain goat mounts. I can say that quality on certain animals/poses matter more than others. In my opinion, the difference between an average and great whitetail mount is a much smaller margin than the same measure for cats and turkeys.

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. You’re the one that has to live with it. If it sucks, you can always just squint when you look at it.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

For budgeting purposes, Ive been pricing lifesize goat mounts for my upcoming goat hunt. I'm seeing many of the more famous/publicized shops who are at all the shows, or hot shit on Instagram with influencers getting their stuff mounted there, etc. are in the $9-10K range for lifesize mount, habitat, etc., whereas the majority of other operations are in the $5-6K range.

Besides saying "XXX" did this mount, is there really a 2X difference in quality from the 6 or 7 high end taxis and the rest of the world, or are people just paying for the name?

I wrestle with this as a skilled tradesman. The short answer is be honest with yourself if you can see and value the difference.

 

[BCDJR]

Go to shows and look at examples….no rush. I waited over a year before I decided on my full size leopard mount. With all the hair on a goat you will not see much but focus on the head, eyes, lips, ears and overall poses. You will pay more for all the environmental things….rocks, snow and overall size of the mount. You should also get firm shipping costs for your crate. Those shipping costs seem be fluctuating daily with carriers.

 

[Grassymike]

I would concentrate on physical conditioning and getting as prepared as possible . Then go and kill a goat. Worry about the taxidermy later.

 

[BRWNBR]

Also every mount is different. Anyone at a show is gonna have their best on display. There’s guys with their mounts in the garage cause they don’t wanna see them mounted from a great taxidermists on a bad day.

 

[HornPorn]

I would concentrate on physical conditioning and getting as prepared as possible . Then go and kill a goat. Worry about the taxidermy later.

Speaking of concentration, the first 3 words of my post were “For budgeting purposes”

Must be nice not to worry about that. If you want to cover my taxi bill then sure I’ll just get to exercising Lmk

 

[Rich M]

Stop watching youtube shit.

Get yourself busy looking up goat taxidermists. See who does the best work and go with that. Might surprise you, might not. I dunno.

Tired of folks thinking some ass on youtube is an expert.

 

[alaska_bou]

This might be a Captain Obvious thing to say, but there are plenty of big companies with beautiful, world-class mounts they put on display to get your business, then give you a turn-and-burn product from an hourly employee learning how to mount a goat on your once in a lifetime trophy.

In my opinion, the quality of the habitat is as important as the quality of the animal, and I would spend the money by going with someone who has a reputation of consistency. For me, Dewey's in Cody WY was that place. Now that Deweys closed up shop, I gave up liking taxidermy and now bring home photos or euros. Cheaper and more appealing in the long run.