Free: Contests & Raffles.
Personally I would say $200 is a little steep for a cape. Unless you have an abnormally large neck size on your mulie then I would think finding a cape in the same size range wouldn't be all that hard. I know some taxidermists take in capes for store credit, that way they have capes in stock for hunters that bring in damaged capes and want a mount done. I have been quoted between $50 and $75 in credit for a cape in good quality. It should not take anymore then an hour to prep a cape and salt it, therefore one hour of labor fees. That would mean the taxi is taking in the cape on store credit (no out of pocket cost to them), probably still making money off the person who brought in that cape, then charging you between $150 and $125 for the prep fee... a little steep IMO. You can also check out taxidermy.net and get an idea what prices are and the going rates. Now I usually get capes for free from friends if I cape out their bucks for them, I used to pay tops $40 cash for capes when I worked at a fur/hide buyer.
Quote from: Sundance on November 30, 2012, 04:44:06 PMPersonally I would say $200 is a little steep for a cape. Unless you have an abnormally large neck size on your mulie then I would think finding a cape in the same size range wouldn't be all that hard. I know some taxidermists take in capes for store credit, that way they have capes in stock for hunters that bring in damaged capes and want a mount done. I have been quoted between $50 and $75 in credit for a cape in good quality. It should not take anymore then an hour to prep a cape and salt it, therefore one hour of labor fees. That would mean the taxi is taking in the cape on store credit (no out of pocket cost to them), probably still making money off the person who brought in that cape, then charging you between $150 and $125 for the prep fee... a little steep IMO. You can also check out taxidermy.net and get an idea what prices are and the going rates. Now I usually get capes for free from friends if I cape out their bucks for them, I used to pay tops $40 cash for capes when I worked at a fur/hide buyer.Not only would we have to split, and salt we would also have to tan the cape. Whether its tanned in house or sent to a tannery thats an extra added cost to the taxidermist and will be added to the final cost of a cape .$200 is a fair price.
Find a tanning place and ask them if they have a cape you can buy. Maybe a taxi couldn't afford his bill.[/quoteEven for a tanned cape you will be paying the around the same $200 if not more.... Depending on the size... Tanned capes are not cheap.
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on December 01, 2012, 08:48:30 AMFind a tanning place and ask them if they have a cape you can buy. Maybe a taxi couldn't afford his bill.[/quoteEven for a tanned cape you will be paying the around the same $200 if not more.... Depending on the size... Tanned capes are not cheap.Do you use the guy up here in Kettle Falls ? I know a taxi that couldn't pay his bill and I'm sure the tannery guy might sell a cape. It doesn't cost very much to have a hide tanned. The only one who is loosing out would be the taxidermist who did all the work, right ?
Quote from: elkhunter1977 on December 01, 2012, 09:03:23 AMQuote from: CAMPMEAT on December 01, 2012, 08:48:30 AMFind a tanning place and ask them if they have a cape you can buy. Maybe a taxi couldn't afford his bill.[/quoteEven for a tanned cape you will be paying the around the same $200 if not more.... Depending on the size... Tanned capes are not cheap.Do you use the guy up here in Kettle Falls ? I know a taxi that couldn't pay his bill and I'm sure the tannery guy might sell a cape. It doesn't cost very much to have a hide tanned. The only one who is loosing out would be the taxidermist who did all the work, right ? The majority of hunters out there have no clue on how to properly prep a cape for tanning. So it will still have to be done correctly. If you bought a tanned cape from a tannery it will more then likely have to be worked on by a taxidermist. Splitting the lips and eye lids. Thinning everything so when it's tucked it stays in place , removing cartlidge from the ears, sewing holes.... Even though its already tanned there is going to have to be work done, and that's what dictates the price of a cape...
was stated already but a taxidermist is going to have to prep and tan a cape whether it is yours or someone elses so why should it cost an extra $200! Its only costing the taxi an extra $50 (maybe) shop credit. I had a taxi buddy send off a really nice muley cape that I want to put on a buck from a few years ago to the commercial tannery and it was only $70.
Quote from: BLRman on December 01, 2012, 09:14:37 AMwas stated already but a taxidermist is going to have to prep and tan a cape whether it is yours or someone elses so why should it cost an extra $200! Its only costing the taxi an extra $50 (maybe) shop credit. I had a taxi buddy send off a really nice muley cape that I want to put on a buck from a few years ago to the commercial tannery and it was only $70. Because we run a business not a charity. If I put my time into a cape (stock or customer) I am going to charge for it. Yes you can have one tanned but just because its already tanned does not mean its ready to mount. Additional work will have to be done...
Elkhunter1977- Would you then charge the $200 fee for the cape on top of the original price quoted for the mount or would the cost of the replacement cape be reflected in quoted price for the mount?
Look on ebay believe it or not. I just bought a Rossi elk cape for $67+ shipping. Deer go for less.