Best bear taxidermists in Western WA?

[DavidL]

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?

[Griiz]

I had Rainer Taxidermy mount my bear. This mount is probably 20 years old.

[freshwateroctopus]

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.

[Stein]

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.

[Tikka300wsm]

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. 

[Bushcraft]

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.   

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

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?

[opdinkslayer]

Depends on the bear & nature’s way would be my choice as well

[aaronoto]

Very happy with my bear from Fidalgo Taxidermy in Anacortes.  Look them up on Facebook, they've got quite a few bears posted.

[huntnfmly]

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

[Widgeon11]

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!

[KFhunter]

TAG

[Duckslayer89]

Any opinions on peters? I took my bear there last October. Seemed really put together in their shop

[spin05]

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.

[bearpaw]

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.

[PolarBear]

Nature's way.  He has my buck from last year and the work that was sitting in his shop was spectacular.

[Southpole]

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.

We’ve had 2 bears and an elk done by Fidalgo, they were exactly as expected. I think their bear mounts are their specialty in my opinion. If I ever want a cat done I would have to find that special cat taxidermist though.

[bornhunter]

 Dave Jones Tumwater. Nobody better on bears and cats.

[PolarBear]

Dave Jones Tumwater. Nobody better on bears and cats.

Is Dave still working?  I thought he retired.   

[JoeE]

I heard Michelle Nelson taxidermy is pretty awesome

[bornhunter]

Dave Jones Tumwater. Nobody better on bears and cats.

Is Dave still working?  I thought he retired.   

Well I am not sure. He did my cougar for me last year and I havent talked to him.

[RB]

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.

We’ve had 2 bears and an elk done by Fidalgo, they were exactly as expected. I think their bear mounts are their specialty in my opinion. If I ever want a cat done I would have to find that special cat taxidermist though.

 

Fidalgo did my Bear back in 2002 and it looks awesome!

[Southpole]

I heard Michelle Nelson taxidermy is pretty awesome

You just had to go there didn’t ya     

[AdnaHunter]

Bob Duncan taxidermy, Curtis WA

[PolarBear]

I heard Michelle Nelson taxidermy is pretty awesome

You just had to go there didn’t ya     

Don't worry, she is practically out of the business on her own.  She only does a select few per year now.  With that said, she is probably one of the top in the state for quality on bears.

[Martinhunter]

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!

HANDS DOWN!!

[Martinhunter]

I heard Michelle Nelson taxidermy is pretty awesome

[Sundance]

I have given all my business to Michael White at Nature's Way for the past six years and couldn't be happier. While I haven't taken a bear to him yet, he would be my first call if I were to have one mounted. I have seen some other WA taxi's do great work on bears as well, it's a matter of preference, turn-around and cost.


Michelle Nelson is one of the most talented taxidermists for bears I have ever seen, unfortunately her business practices take all that away from her.