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Author Topic: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?  (Read 7715 times)

Offline DavidL

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Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« on: July 09, 2019, 12:30:07 AM »
I am planning a bear hunt this fall and if I'm successful, I will at least want the hide tanned and possible a head/shoulder mount or rug.  I know there are lots of taxidermists out there, but not many can make the mount "come alive".  I would like to connect with the taxidermist before the hunt so I know the details of how to deliver the hide, etc. properly.

Who would you recommend as  a really good bear taxidermist?

Offline Griiz

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2019, 07:46:34 AM »
I had Rainer Taxidermy mount my bear. This mount is probably 20 years old.

Offline freshwateroctopus

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2019, 08:04:18 AM »
Matt out at Whidbey Island Taxidermy is a solid dude and taxidermist. Works my ducks, but i see quite a few bears in progress when i stop in.
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Offline Stein

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2019, 08:53:26 AM »
Nature's Way did an amazing job on my antelope, he had all sorts of critters from multiple continents in there.  Whatever I need done in the future will be going his way.

Offline Tikka300wsm

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2019, 09:40:35 AM »
Nature's Way did an amazing job on my antelope, he had all sorts of critters from multiple continents in there.  Whatever I need done in the future will be going his way.
I was less than impressed with my bear Natures Way mounted for me. Big high country boar looks like a sow with a skinny face on it.  :twocents:

Offline Bushcraft

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2019, 10:29:20 AM »
I've had the privilege of touring a lot of trophy rooms in the Pacific Northwest and seeing the work of local and national taxidermists.

Big cats should go to Phil Soucy over in Libby, MT.  He's the best. Period. End of story.

For everything else, Michael White of Nature's Way Taxidermy is so far ahead of everyone else I'd be hard pressed to recommend anyone but him at this point.

Having said that, not all taxidermists are willing to take all work.  I'm not speaking for Michael here, or if he would do this, but if a hide is to the point that no amount of work is going to make a nice looking final product, they aren't going to want to have their name on it and you might get referred to another taxidermist.   
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Offline STIKNSTRINGBOW

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2019, 11:59:58 AM »
On that note, I plan on hitting it pretty hard to get a bear in August.
But wondering how bad the fur is with a summer coat compared to late September?
Is it really that much different, like early spring and a rubbed out late spring hide?
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Offline opdinkslayer

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2019, 12:04:51 PM »
Depends on the bear & nature’s way would be my choice as well

Offline aaronoto

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2019, 07:57:49 PM »
Very happy with my bear from Fidalgo Taxidermy in Anacortes.  Look them up on Facebook, they've got quite a few bears posted.

Offline huntnfmly

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2019, 08:04:51 PM »
Nature's Way did an amazing job on my antelope, he had all sorts of critters from multiple continents in there.  Whatever I need done in the future will be going his way.
Another vote here for Nature's way.
Mike has done a great job on everything we have taken to him
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Offline Widgeon11

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2019, 09:18:41 PM »
Joel Shwecker at Black River Taxidermy in Rochester has done absolutely spectacular work. Great communication, fairly priced and absolutely high-end work. Personally will never go elsewhere!

Offline KFhunter

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2019, 10:16:33 PM »
TAG

Offline Duckslayer89

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2019, 03:51:55 AM »
Any opinions on peters? I took my bear there last October. Seemed really put together in their shop

Offline spin05

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2019, 12:14:22 AM »
I have heard Fidalgo in Anacortes is one of the best. Ive had them do a few deer and a caribou but no bears yet.

Offline bearpaw

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Re: Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2019, 05:32:32 AM »
Any opinions on peters? I took my bear there last October. Seemed really put together in their shop

They have done quite a lot of work for me, I've never been disappointed. You can walk in my trophy room and pick out the best looking mounts, most of them were done by Peters.
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