what's a fair price for a cape?

[gots2hunt]

I have checked with a few Taxidermists here in Washington about doing a shoulder mount on my Muley.
I have some concerns about my cape and asked what it would cost if I had to use a different cape for the mount.
One business said if it came to that, they wouldn't charge me, and the other business said it would cost me $200.00.
These are both well known and reputable Taxidermists. 
I'm wondering what you all think about this, as $200.00 is a good chunk of money to me?

[RadSav]

$200 for a good cape sounds reasonable to me.  If I took the time to cape, flesh, turn ears, split lips, salt and/or prepare for proper freezing I wouldn't be giving it a way.

[sirmissalot]

200 sounds about right. Mule deer capes are pretty easy to come by and most people just give them to the taxi. At least a lot of them do at the ones I've been to. He's going to have time and money into a cape regardless of whether its yours or someone else's, but most of them would mark it up and sell it, I know I would if I was a taxidermist.

[gots2hunt]

Thanks for the input guys.  This deer does have a rather large neck, he was in full rut, so $200.00 may not be too far off.  I found it more interesting that the other shop is willing to throw one in if needed.

[elkhunter1977]

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.

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.

[sirmissalot]

A cape is gonna need split fleshed salted and tanned anyways, whether the hunter supplies the cape or you use a stock one.

[actionshooter]

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.

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.

Correct AND Sundance said there is no out of pocket expense for giving credit, thats partially true. If you giving credit, thats the same as taking $75 out of the cashbox, its lost income.
 $200 is a fair price.

[CAMPMEAT]

Find a tanning place and ask them if they have a cape you can buy. Maybe a taxi couldn't afford his bill.

[elkhunter1977]

Find a tanning place and ask them if they have a cape you can buy. Maybe a taxi couldn't afford his bill.
[/quote

Even 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.

[Karl Blanchard]

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. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Find a tanning place and ask them if they have a cape you can buy. Maybe a taxi couldn't afford his bill.
[/quote

Even 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 ?

[elkhunter1977]

Find a tanning place and ask them if they have a cape you can buy. Maybe a taxi couldn't afford his bill.
[/quote

Even 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...

[elkhunter1977]

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. 

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...

[CAMPMEAT]

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. 

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...

I know and understand that. For they guy asking, then a $450 deer mount would end up costing $650 instead of the original price because he bought a $200 cape.

[Odell]

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. 

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...

It sounds like what he is saying is that you are going to charge twice for it if the customer buys a cape. After all, the labor costs for the cape are built into the original cost. It should be a slight mark up from what the taxidermist paid for the cape, which in my experience is $0-$50.  $200 is a ripoff imo. I'd go with the guy who would throw one in.

[Karl Blanchard]

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. 

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...

I am well aware of this but that work you are talking about doing you are going to have to do regardless where the cape comes from and the cost of that work is already rolled into the total cost of the mount so why the extra 150-200?  You could sell the cape for 500 if you want but I would absolutely take my business elsewhere.  Lots of taxi's out there so no reason to get slammed for an extra couple hundred bucks if you can avoid it

[kramer]

i would definatley shop around. we had a set of my grandpas old elk horns we wanted to mount. we only payed 200 for the elk cape. it was bought out of state and shipped to wa for that. and there was no additional charge to the mount because it would have had to be done either way.

[washingtonmuley]

Too much.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Not everyone that needs a cape is just bringing in a nice clean rack to mount. 

If I have to cape (split/turn, and salt and send to the tannery) a deer head with a bad cape even after I have told the customer (and it slips) than they are getting charged full price for the cape.  I pay hunters $75 for the majority of the deer capes they bring me.  I will do shop credit if they have something in the shop being worked on.  It doesn't matter if I am paying out of pocket or giving shop credit for a cape I am still out $75! 

So that's $75 for the cape right there.  Plus the $43 I pay to have it tanned.  Shipping to and from the tannery $10.  My time prepping and getting it ready to ship.  Thats atleast 1.5 hours @ $40 per hour.  So $60.  Your looking at $188.  So no $200 for a cape really isn't unreasonable depending on the situation.

Now if the customer brings me a set of antlers or decides not to use the cape on the deer he brought in than the price is less.  Typical cost for a cape than is $125. 

[mkcj]

sirmissalot is your deer head already mounted or are you unsure about the untanned cape you have? Because if all you need is a fresh cape then like Michelle said it should be $75 as I'm assuming the tanning of the hide should be included in the $550 mounting price.

[cryfowl]

Look on ebay believe it or not.  I just bought a Rossi elk cape for $67+ shipping.  Deer go for less. 

[elkhunter1977]

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?

Yes I would.... If that was the cost of the replacement cape...if someone brings me an already tanned cape then I will credit them the cost of the tan, but still charge for the prep. If a customer brings me a bad cape or doesn't have one, they are going to have to pay for one. If i have an already tanned ready to go stock cape then i will charge the customer for what i have in it and will deduct that from the total price... i will only charge for the work that has to be done to the cape... If its all ready to go then there will be no extra charge, but like I stated earlier just because you buy a tanned cape from a friend, tanner, or eBay it does not mean its already to go...

[elkhunter1977]

Sorry if I was confusing.... I've been told I can be!... Lol

[kramer]

if the cape is questionable when the customer brings it in do you tell them up front or do you go through the motions and hope it turns out.the way i feel is if you dont tell me up front that its questionable and give me option of a replacement cape after its in your hands how do i know that you didnt leave it out to long, bad salt or tan job.. i feel like alot of taxidermist out priced themselfs. i think alot more people would mount stuff if it wasnt so expensive.if you look at quality of work you can have your stuff mounted out of state cheaper then here. and excellent quality. the taxidermist i use in montana makes 3 to 4 trips a year here to pick up and deliver mounts. it cost you nothing. deer mounts are almost 150 dollars cheaper.

[Michelle_Nelson]

YES, if a client comes in with an animal that has been mishandles by them I always tell them it may or may not make it through tanning.  Than give them the choice of a replacement cape or sending there's off to see if it makes it.  Most opt to send there cape in first.

I do not leave capes out and I do not mishandle them.  If a client brings in a skin that has been mishandled by them or I think is iffy it is preped on the spot and in the salt before I go to bed.  Tanning is and forever will be at the owners risk. 

Kramer have you ever personally mounted an animal?  I mean you doing all the work not paying to have someone else do it for you?

[Michelle_Nelson]

Look on ebay believe it or not.  I just bought a Rossi elk cape for $67+ shipping.  Deer go for less. 

Did the cape come with the Hunters information?  Hunting License and Tag #'s,  County and GMU killed? 

[kramer]

yes i have. i wasn't criticizing you i hope you don't take what i was asking personally just a question. i mount all my deer myself. and some of our family.. if we shoot anything of trophy quality it is sent to Montana due to to many shady people here. no offense to you I'm so sorry if you took it that way.i think your work is nice from the pictures you have posted .

[sirmissalot]

Look on ebay believe it or not.  I just bought a Rossi elk cape for $67+ shipping.  Deer go for less.

That will be interesting to see how that one turns out. Just a raw cape? Can't see anyone selling an elk cape for that cheap, tanned and ready to go.

[Michelle_Nelson]

I have seen them go that cheap.  The question is does the seller supply all the hunters info.  If not a taxidermist in the state of WA can't legaly bring it in to his or her shop. 

[cryfowl]

It was a raw elk cape.  I mount my own animals cause I'm too cheap to pay what others ask for them.  I bought it from the hunter who harvested it.