Montana Taxidermist Recommendation?

[James]

Headed to eastern MT for some mule deer hunting with my dad this year. Given the CWD situation seems easier to drop heads off at a taxidermist in MT, then they ship it home when done.

Any recommendations for euro mounts?

What about recommendations for traditional shoulder mounts?

Thanks.

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Easier to drop them off, yes....but definetly NOT cheaper to have them shipped when done, especially with the cost of shipping. Shipping a mount home from Montana will run you minimum of $120-400 range so. You would be much more ahead of the game to check with either a taxidermist or a butcher/processor in your area to cape the buck out for you. When I was over there a year or two ago they were charging $50-75 for a shoulder mount cape fee and to hot dip the skull, meeting all the requirements for CWD to be brought back into this state. Other option is to learn how to cape your own deer. The guys I go with are always liking me when I join in on their hunt.....and I thought they just liked me but rather they have a way to cape their bucks when we/they get one down, lol.
If your not sure how to cape for a shoulder mount, give me a call as I can easily show you how to do it. Its not hard, there are just some spots and techniques that you need to be careful of and take your time with. I will be posting a video on my FB feed coming up on how to cape one soon as well for anyone headed out of state.
Good luck in Montana man!

Joel- BRT

[Magnum_Willys]

Shipped deer before in box with peanuts.  Wasn’t too bad $.
Remember when caping - go to the middle of the animal - not just behind the shoulder.   That extra foot is important !

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Shipped deer before in box with peanuts.  Wasn’t too bad $.
Remember when caping - go to the middle of the animal - not just behind the shoulder.   That extra foot is important !

Shipping even a year ago wasnt bad...I used to be able to send a box to the tannery (Idaho) with a bunch of salt dried bears for around $50...price is 2-3 times what that is now and they tack on oversized dimension charges that are significant depending on which service your using like USPS, FedEx, or UPS. Not trying to get him to bring back a mount for a Washington taxi, but just saying the shipping is ridiculous now and worth looking into how much you truly might be paying, especially when all three services are talking about another hike coming soon due to fuel.

[CamoDup]

Steve at Taxidermy Unlimited in Missoula is a great place and good people.

[Brushbuster]

Game trails in Florence, MT.

[L8NITE]

I used TRU-LIFE Taxidermy in Laurel MT last year for a euro...they did a great job! They also had lots of great mounts on the wall to look at there quality!

[vandeman17]

Bring a camp stove, a big stove and some dawn dish soap. Get your skull cleaned and drop it into a pot of boiling water with some dish soap for like 2 hours. Also helps to wrap the bases of the antlers in foil to help keep them from losing some color. Then hit a car wash high pressure sprayer to get the loose stuff off. Cheap and effective

[NRA4LIFE]

Depending on where you are, I'll be out there from the 2nd to about the 9th.  I could help with caping and skull prep.  Leaving tomorrow morning.

[Karl Blanchard]

My brother in Missoula uses this shop and absolutely loves them.

https://custombirdworks.com/

[bugs n bones]

My brother in Missoula uses this shop and absolutely loves them.

https://custombirdworks.com/

yes he’s good people

[James]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the advice, recommendations and offers.

One question @BlackRiverTaxidermy on paying a taxi to cape and "hot dip" the skull.  Is this a service that most taxi's offer?  Not that I am well informed here, but I am guessing I should call ahead?

NRA4Life, that is a very gracious offer, but we will be heading out when you are coming back.  Good luck with your hunt!

[callturner]

I use Borderland Taxidermy just north of Malta. His family also has a butcher shop in Malta. Logan Messerly is his name. PM me for his Phone and info.

[NRA4LIFE]

Good luck to you James. I will be back through all of MT around the 21st if you need assistance with anything.

[KNOPHISH]

Jordan creek in Ennis, a friend used him for an antelope and turned out nice. Not sure how much it means but he had lots of competition ribbons hanging in the shop.