Dishonest taxidermist

[flathead#2]

Last guy I used did an outstanding job but took 2+ years to get.
His excuse was all the deer heads he had to do and that they were his "bread and butter".
As if my money (around $3700) was no good.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Last guy I used did an outstanding job but took 2+ years to get.
His excuse was all the deer heads he had to do and that they were his "bread and butter".
As if my money (around $3700) was no good.

That doesn't necessarily mean that your business isn't as important. It could mean that the deer heads are his routine and general work, and your work requires a higher level of care.

 

[butcherboy]

There are a lot of taxidermists out there that are part time. It will take them a lot longer to get the work done because it’s easy to get burned out working all day at your normal job then every night and weekend in the taxidermy shop. They start taking more and
More time off from the shop until they are forced to get things done. Other shops are full time and have high turnover rates so the owner can get swamped and behind really fast. If that happens then the owner needs to be honest and upfront and return phone calls. If that’s the case then just stay in touch and if the taxidermist is good and honest then the work will be done. Don’t make him/her rush through it. Some of the best also only take in a certain amount of work that they know they can finish within a years time. I didn’t mount anything in the fall. Just worked on euros, turning, fleshing, and salting capes. Mounted everything in the spring and summer. Sometimes took me longer because I also had to run the meat plant as well.

The best thing is do your due diligence just like you would with an outfitter, meat processor, attorney, doctors, etc. there bad ones in every profession out there and really good ones.

 

[knehrke]

I had a taxidermist pass away while my mount was in their care. The estate lawyers advised my that I would have access to their workshop for a one-week period, albeit along with everyone else. I guess I wasn't fast enough, because somebody grabbed my mount. I now have a steelhead on the wall of my office that was "left-over" after all of the customers took what was theirs (and apparently what was mine, too - since they didn't attempt to verify authenticity). This of course is an unlikely scenario, but makes an amusing story twenty years later.

 

[rcb2000]

I think you just need to find a reputable taxidermist,,, not some dude that changes locations.

I go to Rapalee taxidermy in Virginia, this is a family run business open for 50 years. When you see that guys drop off African stuff, you know it’s a good sign.

Rapalee Taxidermy

Worldclass Taxidermy for the Worldwide Sportsman. Over 5 decades of quality and professional excellence ~ since 1970 ~

www.rapaleetaxidermy.com

 

[Nine Banger]

I don't know what about taxidermist and outfitters attracts the sketchiest folks but it sure seems to.

Self employment sometimes means "unemployable."

 

[DeerCatcherUT/CO]

I think you just need to find a reputable taxidermist,,, not some dude that changes locations.

I go to Rapalee taxidermy in Virginia, this is a family run business open for 50 years. When you see that guys drop off African stuff, you know it’s a good sign.

Rapalee Taxidermy

Worldclass Taxidermy for the Worldwide Sportsman. Over 5 decades of quality and professional excellence ~ since 1970 ~

www.rapaleetaxidermy.com

That’s nice. A little too far away for me unfortunately. I think I’m done with shoulder mounts until I break 200” though. I’ll be lucky to get my 190 back and I’ll just do my own euros from now on. This has been too rough on me

 

[butcherboy]

I’ll also add that if he is telling you it’s still drying then that actually could be the case. The other option is that he is telling you that to give him some time to actually mount your deer. I would definitely keep in touch with him on a regular basis but keep it professional and civil. If he completely stops all contact even texting then there is a problem. He could be ticked off for whatever reason and decided to mount your deer when he feels like it which is a crappy attitude to have. Some more advice from a former taxidermist is also to never ever pay the full price up front. Only pay the required deposit and then set money aside for the remainder of the bill until the mount is done. Or make a few payments here and there and keep a record of your payments. Withhold the full payment until the mount is done. I never minded when customers wanted to keep their antlers until it’s ready to mount. I would call them to bring them back usually within the week when I was going to mount their animal. This helps to avoid any problems of theft, broken antlers, fires, etc. By theft I mean if someone breaks in and steals antlers which does happen.

I’ve had a few difficult customers over the years that insisted on me going above and beyond just for them and then refuse to pay for my extra time and attention. Arguing with me over specific hair patterns on their animal then showing me a picture which actually always helped me by showing the customer that the hair patterns on their mount are correct. I had to rebuild a broken tine on an elk that was missing maybe 1 1/2” that the customer accused me of breaking. When he showed me a picture it was indeed broken before it was brought to me. I still fixed it no charge. There are a lot more stories I have from both the taxidermy side and meat processing side. I have always been honest and up front with everyone. Some mounts took me longer than I initially promised and had to admit that it was my fault because of whatever reason.

I hope it works out for you.