Taxidermy question?

jrccarter · May 2, 2004

LAST EDITED ON May-02-04 AT 09:43PM (MST)[p]Last year I shot a deer that I now want to get mounted. The antlers have been in the freezer since the hunt so they still look great. All I have are the antlers with the very top of the skull. What is the going rate for a good mount? I will probably need a cape unless I get one this year that I like. What would be the difference in price with a cape that I use or one I would have to purchase through the taxidermist. Also any recommendations on a fair priced good taxidermist in Utah County would be great. I also should mention it was shot on the archery hunt so it is in velvet. I don't know if that makes any difference or not on the price.

2_Point · May 2, 2004

There are quiet a few taxidermists in Utah County, but only a few do decent work. Most will cost $400-525 add an early season cape on for an extra $75-150, then if the antlers need to be injected it seems most guys are $30-50. Stay away from the under $300 crowd, you will regret it.

kelcher · May 3, 2004

>There are quiet a few taxidermists
>in Utah County, but only
>a few do decent work.
> Most will cost $400-525
>add an early season cape
>on for an extra $75-150,
>then if the antlers need
>to be injected it seems
>most guys are $30-50.
>Stay away from the under
>$300 crowd, you will regret
>it.

2_Point,

What are you talking about when you say "antlers need to be injected"? Just curious.

DeerKing · May 3, 2004

I assume 2 Point assumes they are in velvet, in which case they should be injected with a phamaldahyde solution to stop them from rotting.

stalker · May 3, 2004

They are not using phamaldahyde ( or should not be ) any more. There is new stuff out there that is not nearly so deadly on the user. All the blood needs to be removed from the velvet or it will spoil. Freeze drying is also a methode being used as well as spray on velvets. You could probably expect to pay $75 - $100 more if you have to buy a new cape.

elkhunterUT · May 3, 2004

jrcarter,
My deer from last year (also killed on the archery hunt in Utah) is being mounted by Bruce Capes of Animal Art Taxidermy in Sandy, Utah just off of 90th south. He does fantastic work and his prices are competitive. You have received some good advice from others to not go with the real cheap taxidermists because you will regret it in the long run.

If I remember correctly, Bruce is charging me $495 for the mount and an extra $35 to inject the velvet to preserve it, so $530 total. I am not sure what he would charge for a cape, but I can get you in touch with him if you are interested.

You could go and check out his work at his shop and decide for yourself, but he has done a lot of work for me and my family (antelope, elk, deer, moose) and everything we have had done has turned out better than we expected. I know he is in the process of moving his shop right now, but I can get you his phone # if you would like to talk to him.

email me if you are interested at [email protected]

2_Point · May 3, 2004

Some names to consider would be Dave Anderson in American Fork, Mike Christensen in American Fork, and Bruce Capes in Sandy. I have a deer done by Mike Christensen and it is a quality mount. My friend had Mike do his elk and it turned out great also. I have seen a lot of Dave's, Paul's, and Bruce Capes' work and they look good also. There are definatley lots of possiblities out there.

3bigelk · May 4, 2004

Jrccarter,
My brother is a top notch taxidermist out of Logan,Ut. He would love to help you. In fact I believe he has a short haired cape tanned and ready for a mount. I am sure he would meet you half way to pick the antlers up. You can reach him at 1-435-752-1479. Ask for Jared. You will not find much better work than his. In fact one of the members of this site has just got some work done from him.
3bigelk

30inchbucks · May 4, 2004

jrcarter,
I've personally had alot of taxidermy work done over the years especially with mule deer. My first advice is to find a taxidermist that is very picky and particular about his work. Also one that doesn't pass off work to an apprentice. After several years and using several taxidermists I have found one that I wish would have done all of my heads. In fact, I've been half tempted to have him do redo's on all of them. He's the best I've seen and doesn't advertise. If you would like his name or would like to look at some his work, let me know in my personal mailbox.
30inchbucks

jrccarter · May 9, 2004

>Jrccarter,
>My brother is a top notch
>taxidermist out of Logan,Ut.
>He would love to help
>you. In fact I
>believe he has a short
>haired cape tanned and ready
>for a mount. I
>am sure he would meet
>you half way to pick
>the antlers up. You
>can reach him at 1-435-752-1479.
>Ask for Jared. You
>will not find much better
>work than his. In
>fact one of the members
>of this site has just
>got some work done from
>him.
>3bigelk

Could you let me know how much he would charge with the extra cape he has?
thanks