Good taxidermists in NM?

4corners_sportsman · Jul 30, 2015

I have a sheep hunt this year and I am definitely going to get it mounted. Only problem is I don't know which taxidermist to take it to. What would you guys say is a good taxidermist I can take it too in NM that I can trust will do good work?

284NM · Jul 30, 2015

Paul at Imperial Taxidermy in Santa Fe did my sheep in 2011, did a killer job on it. Great guys to work with, done some other mounts for me and my family as well, always first rate work. There are some great taxis in NM, seen some great work from other shops but if it's special enough to me to have it mounted I take it to Imperial.

nmwapiti · Jul 30, 2015

Plus one for Imperial. You will not be disappointed.

4corners_sportsman · Jul 30, 2015

Thanks for the recommendation. How much do you think it would cost for a sheep mount? I don't know much about taxidermy.

Ltsheets · Jul 30, 2015

I'm gonna follow along as well. I will also hopefully have a sheep to mount that I need to drop off on the way to an elk hunt. Imperial will be pretty close to being on the way for me.

284NM · Jul 30, 2015

Hard to say on the price, there are a lot of variables depending on what you want. Start looking at some mounts to get some ideas, call those guys up and tell them what you're thinking about. Remember that taxidermy is NOT a good area to go cheap, find a reputable artist who's work you like and go from there. yer already on the right track by asking questions and making a plan before you come off the mountain with a once in a lifetime trophy. If you like I could post a pic of my ram so you can see what they do. congrats on the tag btw, where did you draw?

stoney · Jul 31, 2015

Carl Chavez, Mountain Legends Taxidermy, Belen, NM

One of the top sheep and elk taxidermists in the west and a super nice guy to boot.

4corners_sportsman · Jul 31, 2015

>Hard to say on the price,
>there are a lot of
>variables depending on what you
>want. Start looking at
>some mounts to get some
>ideas, call those guys up
>and tell them what you're
>thinking about. Remember that
>taxidermy is NOT a good
>area to go cheap, find
>a reputable artist who's work
>you like and go from
>there. yer already on
>the right track by asking
>questions and making a plan
>before you come off the
>mountain with a once in
>a lifetime trophy. If
>you like I could post
>a pic of my ram
>so you can see what
>they do. congrats on
>the tag btw, where did
>you draw?

Yes, post a picture of your mount. I would love to see it! I drew a desert bighorn hunt in Utah.

dmaxarchr · Jul 31, 2015

+2 for Paul and his brother Vince at imperial taxidermy! As mentioned above don't go with just anyone when it comes to taxidermy work. I get all my mounts done by imperial and have never been disappointed one bit. Walk into their shop and check out the trophy room and u will see for yourself what amazing work they do!

SLM · Jul 31, 2015

>Carl Chavez, Mountain Legends Taxidermy, Belen,
>NM
>
>One of the top sheep and
>elk taxidermists in the west
>and a super nice guy
>to boot.

^^This^^

bticked · Jul 31, 2015

I always vote for my buddy Don Cordova at All Seasons Taxidermy. Does awesome work and also has a pretty quick turnaround time. His number is 505-203-3824. If you call him, tell him Ryan sent you.

Ryan

505sniper · Jul 31, 2015

Mountain legends Carl is the man!He has done some incredible mounts for me.

284NM · Jul 31, 2015

here ya go buckrush, pic of paul with my ram at taxi show, he won best of show with it that year

4corners_sportsman · Jul 31, 2015

That looks like its still alive! My minds made up. I will be taking it to Imperial after I get my ram!

Sierra · Aug 1, 2015

Imperial did my Oryx and it turned out awesome. Honest, timely, and top notch quality. What else can one ask for from a taxi.

Ltsheets · Aug 1, 2015

Could you post a pic of the oryx?

>Imperial did my Oryx and it
>turned out awesome. Honest, timely,
>and top notch quality. What
>else can one ask for
>from a taxi.

Sierra · Aug 2, 2015

>Could you post a pic of
>the oryx?
>
>>Imperial did my Oryx and it
>>turned out awesome. Honest, timely,
>>and top notch quality. What
>>else can one ask for
>>from a taxi.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID47/704.html#.Vb5kNIo76JI

muleninja · Aug 3, 2015

Imperial Taxidermy. Everytime I look at my mount, I can't believe how real it looks. I wouldn't bother with anyone else. If you have any questions or would like to take a look at the mount he did for me send me a pm.

NMBugleJunky · Aug 4, 2015

Carl Chavez, Mountain Legends Taxidermy, Belen, NM

muleywhisperer · Aug 4, 2015

Imperial Taxidermy. Enough said! Blue ribbons at the masters level are earned not given.

LCHC · Aug 4, 2015

I would go with Major Wildlife Studio in Las Cruces. They have a state contest every year here in NM and I believe he has won most of the top awards for quite some time with various mounts. I'm sure that info is posted some where. I would say one of the best if not the best in the state.

ABQHUNTER · Aug 4, 2015

Carl Chavez Mountain Legends Taxidermy The Best! Just saying!

rockn9858 · Aug 4, 2015

Mark Barboa
505-480-772
never had a complaint from any of my clients that have used him. does beautiful work.

ABQHUNTER · Aug 4, 2015

Two of my girls got to help Carl Chavez at Mountain Legends Taxidermy today! They had a great time! My daughter Cuara shot this ram on the Armendaris in November.

Sorry the picture is turned sideways!

JRABQ · Aug 4, 2015

I remember the neat story and great pictures of her hunt. I think/hope that is my goat in the background, will go look at it this week.

smarba · Aug 6, 2015

I'm going to put in a plug for Dennis Otero Majestic Monarchs in ABQ. He's quirky, but a real artist and the best detail work of anyone I've ever seen.

Carl learned from Dennis before going off on his own.

I'll try to take some photos and post them.

vinihunt · Aug 6, 2015

nmtaxi · Aug 6, 2015

I watched that sheep hunt on tv!!!

There is no excuse for getting bad taxidermy done in NM. There are some fantastic, world-class artists all over the state. You cannot go wrong with Imperial, Carl Chavez, Robert Major, Bill Bowen... and the list goes on. Go check out their shops and see who's work you like the best. The quality is very high at each one, but they all have their own styles. Find out which one you like the best.

sportsman01 · Aug 6, 2015

Take a look a Major Wildlife Studio. Robert Major is one of the best around in my opinion and has turned out some awe inspiring mounts. Everything I've taken to him (sheep included) have been fantastic. Look him up, give him a shout and see what he has to offer. You won't be disappointed.

smarba · Aug 7, 2015

Dennis Otero Majestic Monarchs

elkmuzzleloader · Aug 15, 2015

I use Wildlife Artistry in Bosque Farms 575-551-6719 They specialize in life size mounts and true art. She used to work for Woodbury taxidermy working on life size mounts for big name clients and stores such as Cabelas. I am at work but will post pics tonight when I get back home. I have been lied to and cheated by some of the other taxidermist mentioned in this thread. Please do some indepth research before you turn over your trophy of a life time.

abqbw · Aug 28, 2015

Dennis Otero at Majestic Monarchs is the best sheep taxidermist in NM. He is a true sheep and goat specialist. People talk about taxidermists being "artists" but most are not. Dennis actually is an artist. He is a fabulous painter and sculptor. The only taxidermy I have regretted is the taxidermy I have taken to other taxidermists. I just dropped my Dall Sheep from AK off with Dennis...I'm about to start a sheep hunting mini-binge and they are all going to Dennis... Dennis' does pretty work and the structural integrity and craftsmanship of the mount and mounting plates and holes and and bases etc are also very well done. The mount looks fabulous and is built right too if that makes sense. I have an elk Dennis did 9 years ago that has been moved from my office, to my home, and then to my vacation home and it looks as good today as it did the day I picked it up.