what's a fair price for a cape?

[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.