Taxidermist threw out my mount. How do I handle this?

[roadrunner]

Be careful the content of your review if you leave one.

It could come back and bite you ten fold...

 

[taxidermybycam]

Taxidermy is a shotty industry. Very few have respect and even fewer are trustworthy. You really have to do your own research. You can't always go by what a buddy says. It's 2025 and almost 2026 all taxidermists should have a website.
Make sure they are licensed and insured and also with waterfowl federally insured.
If a taxidermist takes longer than a year. And is more than 18 months. I'd really start to question them. Why they arent getting help doing the piddly stuff any monkey can do to streamline work flow.
Thats suspicious.
You won't ever have a guy pay for your hunt . Not even insurance claims would do that.
The best bet is find a Brewers from a breeder. Yes it can be done. You'll pay less for the dead duck than you will the mount itself.
The taxidermists needs accountability,he should comp a future mount . If not definitely pay back the deposit. But me personally. "Fool me once shame on you ,fool me twice shame on me " "try and fool me three times,that ain't happening" .
Best of luck with the situation. It's not good news whichever way this goes.

One thing that should be stated is
He legally has to have a toe tag on the bird . And the bag labeled on the outside . So there shouldn't be a way for him to lose the bird. It should be labeled on the outside. So he definitely shouldn't have at any point thrown it in the trash or mixed birds up at all.
Mr duck hunters
brewers duck
Address
phone number date of kill
Where etc

I can say for sure there isn't a black market for Taxidermy. I'd be willing to bet a lot of money . Taxidermy is worthless. The only thing that could have value is a life-size tanned sheep skin or mt. Lion. But a brewers duck? You can buy them for 150 bucks. I'd be willing to bet the Taxidermist would make more money just by mounting the guys duck. A dead animal isn't worth much at all ,even black coyotes or ultra rare color phases . Idk where people get that information.

 

[RockAndSage]

Idk where people get that information.

It might have something to do with how suspiciously common it is for guys to have uncommon animals just magically go missing or swapped out by their taxidermist. I've been hearing stories like this for years.

Maybe it's more of what was mentioned above, where it's just attracting an uncommonly high percentage of disorganized people just bad at doing business. I'd actually be understanding of that, and wouldn't rule it out. But it's still too common, enough to be damned suspicious.

I can say for sure there isn't a black market for Taxidermy.

Not for normal mounts - you're right, they can be hard for people to get rid of when family dies. But there are absolutely black market taxidermists, and there absolutely is an underground market for both rare and/or illegal specimens:

A Georgia Collector Was Fined $900K for the Largest Taxidermy Bird Collection Ever Seized

The USFWS seized hundreds of illegally trafficked birds and eggs from a collector in Georgia who created demand for wildlife poaching.

www.outdoorlife.com

 

[MallardSX2]

https://wheresmymount.com/signin is what my taxidermist uses.

 

[loganwayne]

If a taxidermist takes longer than a year. And is more than 18 months. I'd really start to question them. Why they arent getting help doing the piddly stuff any monkey can do to streamline work flow.
Thats suspicious.

most taxidermist are one man shows because they arent making a killing and dont have the extra money to pay for a helper. Im waiting on a deer now that i shoot last December, the taxidermist is still waiting for the hide to get back to him. he is sitting idle waiting for the last batch of hides to show back up. the tannery changed their policies and only allow one batch of hides at a time to be tanned and must be paid for that batch before he can send the next one. its not always the taxidermist fault it takes so long.
Then you have places like old barn that push a ton of animals through but have a bunch of people. most shops dont have that ability.

 

[taxidermybycam]

It might have something to do with how suspiciously common it is for guys to have uncommon animals just magically go missing or swapped out by their taxidermist. I've been hearing stories like this for years.

Maybe it's more of what was mentioned above, where it's just attracting an uncommonly high percentage of disorganized people just bad at doing business. I'd actually be understanding of that, and wouldn't rule it out. But it's still too common, enough to be damned suspicious.




Not for normal mounts - you're right, they can be hard for people to get rid of when family dies. But there are absolutely black market taxidermists, and there absolutely is an underground market for both rare and/or illegal specimens:

A Georgia Collector Was Fined $900K for the Largest Taxidermy Bird Collection Ever Seized

The USFWS seized hundreds of illegally trafficked birds and eggs from a collector in Georgia who created demand for wildlife poaching.

www.outdoorlife.com

This video you posted isn't a black market post. This is a California resident "possesing or obtaining" what is deemed illegal taxidermy in California . A mountain lion mount and wolverine. Which you can buy at any antique store or auction in America.
Go across the border to nevada and it's perfectly legal.
Uncommon animals are worth a whole lot at all, not enough for it to be "lost " and then sold. There isn't anything rare that can't be bought somehow . A brewers duck bred in an aviary can be bought easily . There isn't the market like people think. I've worked all over the country and for a lot of real dirt bags . If anyone would have seen it ,it would be me. Unless you shot an albino moose or something truly truly rare everything can be found somehow someway. And if someone did obtain something like that . Then people will talk and people will show it off.

Now if someone talks about someone selling protected species like let's say a hummingbird or goldfinch. Now I've heard of that happening. You can go on Facebook to any taxidermy group and see it happen.


Taxidermists for the most part are fly by the seat of their pants and disorganized.

 

[taxidermybycam]

most taxidermist are one man shows because they arent making a killing and dont have the extra money to pay for a helper. Im waiting on a deer now that i shoot last December, the taxidermist is still waiting for the hide to get back to him. he is sitting idle waiting for the last batch of hides to show back up. the tannery changed their policies and only allow one batch of hides at a time to be tanned and must be paid for that batch before he can send the next one. its not always the taxidermist fault it takes so long.
Then you have places like old barn that push a ton of animals through but have a bunch of people. most shops dont have that ability.

Ive only ever heard of that happening when a guy won't pay his tanning bill.....
I'd say that's his fault there's a few tanneries out there that tan skins . And if he learns some chemistry like he should know tanning isn't too hard .

 

[KenLee]

What's the monetary limit of small claims court in your state?

 

[dtrkyman]

I had a taxidermist vanish on me with a perfect drake goldeneye, not a rare bird but the last duck I shot hunting with my uncle and hunting mentor, still pisses me off when I think about it!

Taxidermist issues are so common I am glad I am off the mounting things train!!!

 

[KenLee]

Taxidermy is a shotty industry. Very few have respect and even fewer are trustworthy. You really have to do your own research. You can't always go by what a buddy says. It's 2025 and almost 2026 all taxidermists should have a website.
Make sure they are licensed and insured and also with waterfowl federally insured.
If a taxidermist takes longer than a year. And is more than 18 months. I'd really start to question them. Why they arent getting help doing the piddly stuff any monkey can do to streamline work flow.
Thats suspicious.
You won't ever have a guy pay for your hunt . Not even insurance claims would do that.
The best bet is find a Brewers from a breeder. Yes it can be done. You'll pay less for the dead duck than you will the mount itself.
The taxidermists needs accountability,he should comp a future mount . If not definitely pay back the deposit. But me personally. "Fool me once shame on you ,fool me twice shame on me " "try and fool me three times,that ain't happening" .
Best of luck with the situation. It's not good news whichever way this goes.

One thing that should be stated is
He legally has to have a toe tag on the bird . And the bag labeled on the outside . So there shouldn't be a way for him to lose the bird. It should be labeled on the outside. So he definitely shouldn't have at any point thrown it in the trash or mixed birds up at all.
Mr duck hunters
brewers duck
Address
phone number date of kill
Where etc

I can say for sure there isn't a black market for Taxidermy. I'd be willing to bet a lot of money . Taxidermy is worthless. The only thing that could have value is a life-size tanned sheep skin or mt. Lion. But a brewers duck? You can buy them for 150 bucks. I'd be willing to bet the Taxidermist would make more money just by mounting the guys duck. A dead animal isn't worth much at all ,even black coyotes or ultra rare color phases . Idk where people get that information.

Send me a link for a NICE one at $150. We'll buy for OP

 

[DLIP]

Being right doesn’t mean you win. I’d be upset but I don’t know how you could place a dollar amount on it. I’d take the deposit money back, move on and never do business with him again.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

He should at least give your money back and the next mount is on him.
At least.

 

[journeyman713]

If you got a duck that isn't yours, it makes sense that someone else did too, and has your duck.
You need to find him and make the trade back.
I'd talk with the taxidermist and work through the records of ducks he mounted, during the likely timeframe, maybe he has photos of his work, look at them, to find the guy who ended up with your duck.

 

[Duckhunterbrad]

I had a friend contact me once about a short notice cancelation brown bear hunt. I could barely afford it at the time but went on the trip regardless of the cost as it would most likely be my only chance at that price range. I shot a nice bear and had previously researched the taxidermist I wanted to use. Got the hide from the tannery to the taxidermist and stopped by to go over the mount details and give my deposit. Mount cost was $5,500(full body) with a $2,000 deposit. Eventually I got the call it was ready for pickup, and I got a pleasant surprise that they ran into a few "issues" and now my new cost was $7,500. He didn't give one crap that he had charged an extra $2,000 without warning, he said and I quote "do you want your bear or not". I paid and have made sure everyone I know doesn't go to him anymore.

 

[RockAndSage]

This video you posted isn't a black market post. This is a California resident "possesing or obtaining" what is deemed illegal taxidermy in California . A mountain lion mount and wolverine. Which you can buy at any antique store or auction in America.
Go across the border to nevada and it's perfectly legal.
Uncommon animals are worth a whole lot at all, not enough for it to be "lost " and then sold. There isn't anything rare that can't be bought somehow . A brewers duck bred in an aviary can be bought easily . There isn't the market like people think. I've worked all over the country and for a lot of real dirt bags . If anyone would have seen it ,it would be me. Unless you shot an albino moose or something truly truly rare everything can be found somehow someway. And if someone did obtain something like that . Then people will talk and people will show it off.

Now if someone talks about someone selling protected species like let's say a hummingbird or goldfinch. Now I've heard of that happening. You can go on Facebook to any taxidermy group and see it happen.


Taxidermists for the most part are fly by the seat of their pants and disorganized.

Fair points, and overall I appreciate what you're saying.

I've worked all over the country and for a lot of real dirt bags . If anyone would have seen it ,it would be me.

You know man, this has me more interested in your story and your world - it's one that's pretty opaque to most of us, and I think just about everyone here at some point will get a mount done.

I'd love to see a fresh, new thread by you along the lines of "How to choose a good taxidermist - boxes to check", or something like that.

Also, seriously, share some of the dirtbag stories. Help us learn what to watch out for.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I think the resolution is pretty simple and obvious…

Next brewer’s duck you bring him, he should do the mount first free.

See…easy…

 

[mtnbiker208]

I hate to say it, but sometimes, that is just the way life is. Just move on.
Case in point, i shot a moose this fall, The expeditor, the processor all have different stories and i got no steaks off of a bull moose. When i asked about the backstraps, i was told they never got them. The expeditor says he dropped them off, the butcher says he never got them. All i know, you can't go back and change it. Maybe just don't ever use them again and move on.

 

[RockAndSage]

I hate to say it, but sometimes, that is just the way life is. Just move on.
Case in point, i shot a moose this fall, The expeditor, the processor all have different stories and i got no steaks off of a bull moose. When i asked about the backstraps, i was told they never got them. The expeditor says he dropped them off, the butcher says he never got them. All i know, you can't go back and change it. Maybe just don't ever use them again and move on.

And you didn't burn the hell out of those guys with a fish & game or Sheriff's report? One of them committed a couple of crimes.

 

[huntsman22]

"do you want your bear or not".

Do you want your ass kicked, and your balls cut off and stuffed down your throat? Your call Taximan.......

 

[taxidermybycam]

Fair points, and overall I appreciate what you're saying.



You know man, this has me more interested in your story and your world - it's one that's pretty opaque to most of us, and I think just about everyone here at some point will get a mount done.

I'd love to see a fresh, new thread by you along the lines of "How to choose a good taxidermist - boxes to check", or something like that.

Also, seriously, share some of the dirtbag stories. Help us learn what to watch out for.

I could write a whole volume of encyclopedias on things. If anyone has questions they can ask . Idk if I would want to create my own thread on here. I don't like to be center of attention. And this gentleman that originally posted this ,got very good advice . And all he can do from here on out is ask for his deposit back and then join a Facebook duck aviary group and post a wanted ad and get a new duck.
I originally joined this website to post a wanted ad for a life-size skin . And then I seen a lot of real disinformation and wanted to set record straight on some things and help some people out.
I can write up a whole lot of anecdotal and taxidermy political , and hardcore information. But Google does web crawl this website. And although I am a bold feather ruffler and speak nothing but truth I do have to watch what I say because at some point somewhere a Taxidermist does need help and has to rely on someone else for something. And even though there's alot of guys I severely dislike ,they have friends of friends and it's a very niche and tight industry. If I said the wrong thing and a certain company or two didn't like it I would have a very hard time doing my job.
So create a new thread so we don't jack up this guys information and maybe new people can read it . Or just ask away.