I browse these forums from time to catching up on the latest. I've never registered, but felt this topic needed my attention.
Over the years, doing taxidermy and meeting some of the best taxidermists in the world, I have gained knowledge of the art of taxidermy. I knew I could never be as good, but I could use the expertise I learned in judging. I have seen everything from the best to the worst there is out there. Several years ago, I was looking for a Taxidermist in Idaho and like you started looking into the various options available. What I found was Dan at High Country Taxidermy. From my experience and what I know about him, he is a top shelf taxidermist. He is honest and cares about his customers as much as the work he does for them. I've also heard a rumor that he provides a discount to Vets (anyone looking out for Vets can't bad!). During discussions with Dan, I quickly learned that he and his assistant have over 50 years combined taxidermy experience and they don't believe in cutting corners, but use the best products and techniques available. Something a lot of the general public don't realize is Taxidermists have show quality mounts and customer quality mounts. Everything leaving High Country Taxidermy is show quality, I see it every time I drop by the shop. Additionally, every time I go into Dan?s shop with a new mount he takes the time to go over every detail of the mount he's doing for me and itemizes all of the information on a job ticket. He has me review the information and sign it for accuracy before he begins any work.
Not sure what htnfool is complaining about. If most would take their time and learn, they would know what direction is correct. I don't know if you have had other taxidermy work done. If this was your first I can understand a miscommunication. But, if not this one is on you guy, if you truly think it was decided to go the other direction, you should of read the work order thoroughly, crossed your T?s and dotted your I?s and realized that it was written down wrong. Was it your signature on the ticket? For the future when talking left and right turn, it is the animals left and right?Be the animal. You stated Dan did nothing to correct the issue, what would have made it right to you..a discount?? There you have it someone trying to justify a discount. It always amazes me that hunters will spend thousands even tens of thousands to go on a hunt (or buy special hunting clothes, guns, spotting scopes, atv?s, trailers, etc.) and then complain about the expense of taxidermy. Squabbling over a few dollars on a piece of art that will look as good on the day they die as it did on the day it was mounted (that is if they go to a premium taxidermist such as Dan).
Yoyak: the mounts you posted showing the work Dan completed for you are unbelievable. If you only paid around $1,000 each you got a deal. Work of this quality outside of Idaho is MUCH higher. You can't believe the time it takes to cure the velvet and make it look right, it is an art. I realize the long haired muscle detail it is not for everyone, but you have to understand that big mule deer early rut and rut are built. As hunters we usually only see dead animals up close after they've lost all life.
I know I'm rambling on and on, it's just I hate to see such a good person and from what I know one of the best Taxidermists anywhere becoming the victim of some minor mud-slinging.
As for your goat mount, I can't imagine anyone will provide a better mount than Dan at High Country Taxidermy. Goats take a great amount of care. Having done, being around and judging taxidermy I know there will be a minimum of 20+hrs just in grooming a life size goat hide. The hair is terribly knotted and thrashed when shot and even when it comes back from the best tanners. It is very fragile and pulls out at the root much easier than most hides. Do yourself a favor and compare goat mounts. Learn what is anatomically correct and get nothing but a full body mount, that is what a goat mount is about. I wish you the best of luck, remember whoever mounts it, you'll be looking at it for the rest of your life. Do your homework and learn and good mount from a bad mount period.
BIGDOG
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