Anyone recommend a bear taxidermist near Olympia?

[Parasite]

In case I get a bear this year, I'd like to get a European skull mount and a rug made. Anyone know a good taxidermist that will do both? I only prefer beetles or maceration for the skull

[emac]

I heard there is a good one in the area but I cant remember her name.🤔

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[h20hunter]

Now now....

[bobcat]

Black River Taxidermy, Joel Swecker.

He's in Rochester, and is a member of this forum. Has his own beetles.

[trophyhunt]

Start saving now!  Be prepared for sticker shock, these taxi’s on the wet side are expensive as heck!  Might be worth traveling to Idaho, the guy in Hayden is great and much cheaper! Don’t get extorted over here! Wildlife Creations, in Hayden Id

[emac]

Now now....

🤣🤣

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[brew]

Black River Taxidermy, Joel Swecker.

He's in Rochester, and is a member of this forum. Has his own beetles.

i've used Joel at BRT for the last few years on euro mounts on my deer and have been very happy with the turn around time, cost and quality.  No experience with his rugs but have been to his shop a few times and have seen his work.  check him out

[ducks4days]

Matt Klope with Whidbey Island Taxidermy has decent pricing and some solid skills. He is super busy so it might be a slow turnaround but its worth the end result IMO.

[Oldguy]

I heard there is a good one in the area but I cant remember her name.🤔

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I think it was something like "Speedy Taxidermy and Tanning."

[Antlershed]

Black River Taxidermy, Joel Swecker.

He's in Rochester, and is a member of this forum. Has his own beetles.

i've used Joel at BRT for the last few years on euro mounts on my deer and have been very happy with the turn around time, cost and quality.  No experience with his rugs but have been to his shop a few times and have seen his work.  check him out

[blindluck]

Start saving now!  Be prepared for sticker shock, these taxi’s on the wet side are expensive as heck!  Might be worth traveling to Idaho, the guy in Hayden is great and much cheaper! Don’t get extorted over here! Wildlife Creations, in Hayden Id

I know sometimes it might seem expensive and I would agree if a particular taxi was way above everyone else, but there is much more to it. Experience and quality of workmanship. Believe me the amount of time and effort put into a mount/project you start to realize the cost isn’t all that bad for what it takes to bring your trophy back to life. For what some taxis charge at the lower prices, it’s hard to believe they can stay in business when you add up the costs of doing business and materials. What’s left over as profit isn’t as much as you might think.

[bornhunter]

Black River Taxidermy, Joel Swecker.

He's in Rochester, and is a member of this forum. Has his own beetles.

Second that!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Now now....

🤣🤣

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Something Nelson.🤔

[Rob]

I had to call 3 taxis end of May this year before I found one taking work.  (Spring bear I wanted to have Rugged)

One of the ones that was was not taking work recommended Wildlife obsessions in Duvall.
https://wildlifeobsessionstaxidermy.net/

I went in and saw their work and dropped my hide off to Rug.  I have great expectations based on their show room.

They are a husband/wife team and were very pleasant to deal with.

I have high expectations!

[Tenkara]

Start saving now!  Be prepared for sticker shock, these taxi’s on the wet side are expensive as heck!  Might be worth traveling to Idaho, the guy in Hayden is great and much cheaper! Don’t get extorted over here! Wildlife Creations, in Hayden Id

I know sometimes it might seem expensive and I would agree if a particular taxi was way above everyone else, but there is much more to it. Experience and quality of workmanship. Believe me the amount of time and effort put into a mount/project you start to realize the cost isn’t all that bad for what it takes to bring your trophy back to life. For what some taxis charge at the lower prices, it’s hard to believe they can stay in business when you add up the costs of doing business and materials. What’s left over as profit isn’t as much as you might think.

[Old Dog]

Mike White, Nature's Way.  I've never had any work done by him, but I've seen his work, and it's really good.

[Magnum_Willys]

Now now....

🤣🤣

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[Alchase]

Now now....

🤣🤣

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Hmmmm?

 

 

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Start saving now!  Be prepared for sticker shock, these taxi’s on the wet side are expensive as heck!  Might be worth traveling to Idaho, the guy in Hayden is great and much cheaper! Don’t get extorted over here! Wildlife Creations, in Hayden Id

Sorry, had to reply to this.....I would be careful in the wording and assumptions you're using here trophyhunt, especially in today's market of inflation. I myself, before being a taxidermist, can remember a decent black bear rug going for around $500-$600. However, with the price of everything going up, a taxidermist's tannery bill alone would be about half of that. I am not going to speak for the other taxidermists on this forum, but more on the side of taxidermy in general. What I will say on behalf of other taxidermists though is the fact is there are a fair number of them that DO NOT do rugs simply because you make very little on them by the time you have our labor, costs for tanning, forms, eyes, rugging (if you dont do it it in-house), shipping to the tannery and rugger, as well as the finer costs and labor of the finish work.
I will admit there are some taxidermists that are more expensive than others, however most of very accomplished craftsman, and your paying for that expertise. But I can also tell you that you will never get rich doing taxidermy.
Your completely right in the advice to shop around though. Do you research when selecting one as everything from the quality of work to timelines, prices, tanning process, and quality of leather all matters. Details such as the company of glass for the eyes, forms used (there are at least 3 different form types for Black Bears), how the rugging is attached and how it is gathered, spread of the paws.....all this differs from one artist to the other. The more detailed the work typically the more expensive it is due to quality of materials. Furthermore, the better quality of the work, the longer lasting that trophy and memory will be. This is not to say in inexpensive mount will not last....but 90% of the time corners were cut to make it inexpensive.

Your right trophyhunt....be prepared for sticker shock...as its not 1990 anymore. However to imply that its due to extortion is a little misgiving and frankly a little rude to the taxidermists. Anytime you would love to stop by I can show you and explain the process/labor for a bear rug along with the reciepts of the materials used before seeing the finished product and then you can decided if its too much.....seriously...I'm not trying to be a smart-a**.....I love to help other sportsman understand the process. 
Joel- BRT

[trophyhunt]

Appreciate your insight on this Joel, I know the time and work it takes to break down a rug just for even a hair on tan. It’s not easy or quick, and I’m sure the tanneries have increased prices.  My gripe is in 2015 my hair on tan was around 350.00, the estimated price from my taxi (gone to for years) in 2019 for my bear was around 1,300.  I asked a taxi (who is on here) how much to only de-flesh and take out the 4 paws. (My taxi buddy already skinned the head out.) and this guy wanted 8 or 900 just to do that!! I would salt and dry, and send it in to the tannery myself.  That is extortion, but in this day and age I get it. He probably has so much work, he can ask STUPID amounts and prob gets it, just too many customers now. Heck, I bet you turn people away, lots of taxis I know aren’t taking new clients.  I do appreciate the time, effort and craftsmanship, it’s an art for sure.  But more and more business’s just don’t care anymore, too many customers to give a crap or set reasonable prices. Just my 2cents

[trophyhunt]

Wildlife creations in Hayden Id did my hair on tan for $400, and shipped it to me. That included fleshing, taking the feet out and tannery.  Very reasonable.  My complete bear rug in 2017, big bear, cost me 1,300 from a very reputable taxi that I really like, great guy. But nowadays, those rugs cost double !!  It may not be extortion, bad choice of words, but it’s unrealistic.

[deerlick]

had a hard time hearing the word no it sounds like

[NWghostgetter]

Another vote for Joel at Black River. But I think I heard he’s swamped but worth a shot, he does great work. I’m not a good enough hunter to have been able to bring him anything but some buddies are and their stuff looks amazing!!