Stone sheep hunters

[taxidermybycam]

To the website moderators let me know if this is allowed or not ,if not delete and let me know the appropriate place to post this. This isn't a shameless plug this is looking for help . Hello this is cam. I'm a taxidermist in Julian PA.

I know the season is gonna be here before you know it .

I'm in search of a lifesize stone sheep skin preferably long hair like mid September and it would be really cool if it was October but I have to keep my expectations moderate and realistic .

I would much rather get it from a hunter than a tannery or another taxidermist. When tanneries get them or other taxidermists they are just out of this world. I know quite a few that get them for very little ,very cheap ,and then they prep and tan them and charge crazy amounts because they know they can get it I've seen double and triple if not quadruple. And it's not attainable for the average person . They scoop them up really fast .

I've worked all over the country for a bunch of different shops and ever since 2020 I've exclusively worked for my self. I got tired of others taking credit for the work and reaping all the benefits. I'm trying to expand into and get into the "higher end " bigger customer base. That's how the bills really get paid and more consistent work. Alot of folks won't look at you or bother with you unless you've got some mounts that are large at a show. I've mounted quite a few life-size sheep in my career but none in my own personal shop and it's sort of a jerk move to use photos of mounts I've done in other shops and use them as my own it's just not a good idea,creates controversy and fighting . I don't need that headache.

So with this lifesize sheep ideally I'd have it in my own shop and take it to shows like the sheep show and others and hopefully Garner some support and gather some work. Keep it in my showroom . And with that hopefully get some more clients and break that barrier to entry. To try and get more income and support my family .

I do have a website taxidermybycam.com

And a Facebook and Instagram and tiktok of course taxidermybycamllc . This isn't a shameless plug,but a way to determine the validity which I'm sure people always question and wonder about.

I do appreciate the people that took the time and looked this over and hopefully someone can help . I can either trade work and make it well worth your while or just buy the skin off them . I dont think I'll need horns I can get a set off eBay or somewhere.

The answer to every question you don't ask is no . So this is worth a try.

I did create a YouTube video on how to take care of skins and what to do when your in the field. I did post it up in the other part of this forum but I will provide the link to it again .

I hope all of your hunting seasons and trips are successful

 

[MosquitoCoast]

Good luck with this request. I go on my first SS hunt at the end of this month but if I'm lucky enough to kill one its getting mounted in my office.

 

[easttex]

Very good job with the video.

 

[wildwilderness]

I think it will be tough to get any stone sheep hide, let alone in prime condition, especially for a full body mount....

This is what I would do to get a life size Stone mount to show- Call every stone sheep outfitter you can get in touch with, and offer a free life size mount to them or one of their clients. Tell them the deal is you get to keep it for 2 years or so to show. Then they can have it. Tell this to everyone and say its a limited offer and the first one to get you the hide/horns etc gets the deal.

Once the 2 years of over then you can repeat if it works and get another going. If you get busy enough then you no longer need to.

a Dall's would be much easier... I've tossed a number of capes over the years

 

[taxidermybycam]

Thanks for the advice guys I appreciate ,this is something I'd want for my self for traveling around show to show. And build up the showroom this will be the toughest to get. I do see them go for sale I come across 3-4 a year for crazy prices. But if In the off chance I can have some luck on my side,I'd rather get it direct from the hunter rather than a middleman who is just being a roach. Ive sold some high end skins to other taxidermists,for the purposes just like mine and they resell it for double or triple with no intentions of mounting it . I'd consider a dall sheep but ideally stones is preferred.

 

[tam9492]

Just drove by your place last weekend! I got a desert a few years ago, sold the cape, and just did a euro. If the timing was different, we coulda worked something out!

 

[medvedyt]

i will say as well try to contact the bc and yukon wildsheep foundation locals they might help or lead to directions and even if not interested try to contact the local taxidermists you might have some surprises ...

good luck.

 

[Steve O]

Wish I could help you out. Good luck with this noble quest!

 

[taxidermybycam]

Just drove by your place last weekend! I got a desert a few years ago, sold the cape, and just did a euro. If the timing was different, we coulda worked something out!

Drove past my house? It's getting burnt down in December and putting a new one in so it's all work in progress and messy now . If you see a grey blue Tacoma in the driveway I'm home. If not I'm rattlesnake hunting or at Walmart . Stop by

 

[Mojave]

High end taxidermist build their brand by selling expensive shit to high roller clients.

The same as any other industry.

The $400 deer shoulder mount guys aren't going to get a lion or a sheep life-size unless they are the only taxidermist a high roller client knows.

I would probably build a replica polar bear life-size if I were you.

Seems to be draw for those.

Rhinos are the same.

 

[Rackmastr]

Your best bet is to buy one probably, and consider it a business expense.

The chances of finding a lifesize stone sheep cape is quite rare, as most BC hunters even know what they're worth (if they're taking the time to lifesize one out properly).

Other than that, begging or pleading or bartering your way to one might work, but it will be an uphill battle most of the way. Targetting a lifesize mountain goat cape and doing a really cool project with a big goat or goat replica would be a good step as well.

Good luck on the search!

 

[tam9492]

Drove past my house? It's getting burnt down in December and putting a new one in so it's all work in progress and messy now . If you see a grey blue Tacoma in the driveway I'm home. If not I'm rattlesnake hunting or at Walmart . Stop by

Yep - on our way up to Black Mo.

 

[bcnorth]

In 2023 i purchased a new set of binos, i told myself (to help justify the purchase) that they will help get a ram on the ground.... i can eat all the meat, euro mount the horns and sell the cape. I connected with a big stone ram in 2024 but after hiking the full mid-sept cape out 35km one way (70km over 2 trips) along with a heavy set of horns i had to re-evaluate lol. The dark cape was much heavier than i thought. By the end it became much more valuable to me personally.

 

[Mojave]

Your best bet is to buy one probably, and consider it a business expense.

The chances of finding a lifesize stone sheep cape is quite rare, as most BC hunters even know what they're worth (if they're taking the time to lifesize one out properly).

Other than that, begging or pleading or bartering your way to one might work, but it will be an uphill battle most of the way. Targetting a lifesize mountain goat cape and doing a really cool project with a big goat or goat replica would be a good step as well.

Good luck on the search!

Sounds like a fringe illegal kind of tax deduction.

not a tax guy or a lawyer, but every time I try to come up with a scenario like that and I asked my accountant he taboos it.

 

[waspocrew]

Sounds like a fringe illegal kind of tax deduction.

not a tax guy or a lawyer, but every time I try to come up with a scenario like that and I asked my accountant he taboos it.

I didn’t read it as “buy and write it off”. More of a buy it and consider it an expense such as marketing, etc. Have to spend money to make money sometimes.

 

[Rackmastr]

Sounds like a fringe illegal kind of tax deduction.

not a tax guy or a lawyer, but every time I try to come up with a scenario like that and I asked my accountant he taboos it.

Not talking about taxes or anything like that. I just consider it an investment in the business. I have zero idea how any tax laws work in the USA nor would claim to. Thats not what my post was about in any way.

I just think if having a stone sheep lifesize mount is important, the best route is going to be to purchase a cape. I live in BC and know how few lifesize sheep capes are out there (part time taxidermist myself). That being said, scouring and looking under any rock for an opportunity sometimes works out!

 

[Mojave]

Gotcha.

Your problem is that you live in BC, it is a good problem to have as you probably have access to more hunting than anyone.

Saying that, I would 100% change my input.

This is casual business advice, probably worth something but who knows it's free so there is that. Not to mention random as hell.

1. What are wealthy clients from your area interested in getting mounted?

2. Does GOBC have a show? Or BC Bighorns whatever that organization is called?

3. Did you already donate a mount? Are you leaning in to them to get your name out. Find some outfitter owners, and managers offer them whatever you feel comfortable with as a discount.

4. Very few Americans are going to want to deal with a Canadian taxidermist. This is an absolute. You could be the best taxidermist in the world, and it wouldn't matter. So understand that this is a thing. European clients will not care. But they mostly do skull mounts, so there is that.

5. The more "wipe my rear end" concierge features you offer the better that might be countered. For those Euro clients, you could offer full export services.

If you are part time, I would not waste money on something like that. Old men talk of mountains in relation to business. Sometimes you get lucky and you can start at the top of the mountain without failure. But the odds of that in your situation are hard. Build your clients as a base and you will build your
business.

Climb the mountain the best way you can, as fast as you can as carefully as you can. Like real mountains there is risk, but the reward is great.

Hunt for "whales" and if they have a bad experience you might get burned by them.

 

[Rackmastr]

Gotcha.

Your problem is that you live in BC, it is a good problem to have as you probably have access to more hunting than anyone.

Saying that, I would 100% change my input.

This is casual business advice, probably worth something but who knows it's free so there is that. Not to mention random as hell.

1. What are wealthy clients from your area interested in getting mounted?

2. Does GOBC have a show? Or BC Bighorns whatever that organization is called?

3. Did you already donate a mount? Are you leaning in to them to get your name out. Find some outfitter owners, and managers offer them whatever you feel comfortable with as a discount.

4. Very few Americans are going to want to deal with a Canadian taxidermist. This is an absolute. You could be the best taxidermist in the world, and it wouldn't matter. So understand that this is a thing. European clients will not care. But they mostly do skull mounts, so there is that.

5. The more "wipe my rear end" concierge features you offer the better that might be countered. For those Euro clients, you could offer full export services.

If you are part time, I would not waste money on something like that. Old men talk of mountains in relation to business. Sometimes you get lucky and you can start at the top of the mountain without failure. But the odds of that in your situation are hard. Build your clients as a base and you will build your
business.

Climb the mountain the best way you can, as fast as you can as carefully as you can. Like real mountains there is risk, but the reward is great.

Hunt for "whales" and if they have a bad experience you might get burned by them.

Somehow I think you started replying to this thread thinking I'm the OP. I'm not. I was just providing insight. I have no interest in growing my business and am well involved where I need to be as a taxidermist in BC.

The OP is from Pennsylvania. I'm merely a poster here trying to provide some insight to him. I think you've somehow confused the fact that I'm just replying to his thread after once suggesting I'm telling him to do illegal things and now confused with who's looking for the sheep cape lol.

Good luck to the OP!

 

[Mojave]

Somehow I think you started replying to this thread thinking I'm the OP. I'm not. I was just providing insight. I have no interest in growing my business and am well involved where I need to be as a taxidermist in BC.

The OP is from Pennsylvania. I'm merely a poster here trying to provide some insight to him. I think you've somehow confused the fact that I'm just replying to his thread after once suggesting I'm telling him to do illegal things and now confused with who's looking for the sheep cape lol.

Good luck to the OP!

I had a root canal today, was a tough day.

Brains are in a jar, apologies.

 

[Rackmastr]

I had a root canal today, was a tough day.

Brains are in a jar, apologies.

Haha all good!!