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.

 

[Grassymike]

Hope you find the taxidermist you are looking for. Also hope you need said services after your hunt. No I am not offering to pay. It would be an expense to think about for me as well.

 

[Scottf270]

About all you can do is look at examples of several taxidermist work and make a choice. I will say a some what local shop offers advantages. Being able to be involved in the mount is huge.

I faced this on a recent mountain lion mount. I wanted to go with Phil Soucy but several factors combined to make me use my life long taxidermist. Phil and his team are world renowned for cats and deserve all the accolades.

But they are in Montana, they were at $10,000 for life size, I would have little input or involvement in the mount. Getting it home was another cost and issue.

My shop has done many cats and have won multiple state awards in different categories here in Missouri. Some of the people involved have judged at world taxidermy shows. I was involved in every aspect of my mount. And they were $4,500 dollars with no shipping.

I think the mount is great and I'm very happy with it. I'm not gonna say Phil's group may not have done an even better job, but decision have to be made. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

Yes and no. I fully believe you can find someone to do a life size mount for $5-$6k with the same quality as a $10k mount. I feel goats are on the easier side of taxidermy.

 

[Theringworm]

OP, my taxidermist, who is at all the shows (SCI, DSC, etc) did my life size goat, made a special custom base for it and did everything I asked of him. Best mount I have by a long shot. I won't advertise the cost here, but you are welcome to guess at it. I'll PM you the total after you guess so you can judge for yourself if the cost equals the quality.