How long is long enough?

[Irish_hunter93]

What's your point when you're fed up with a taxidermist that seems to always have an excuse for everything? Not naming names, no *censored* stirring here. Shot a bobcat in Nov of 2020, was told 1 year to a year and a half. Almost always the excuse is oh I can't get your manikin, form isn't here yet, oh I'm sick, oh I'm just slammed busy, talked with the guy yesterday and he says "oh still haven't had your form come in yet"

I got ahold of him yesterday and asked if he still has my pelt and if it's still good or not, he says "oh yeah still fine, it's in the freezer "
 I was nice to the guy, wasn't being rude or anything

How long can a untanned hide stay in a freezer before things start getting messed up?

Starting to feel like it is a big run around. Here I sit almost 3 years later, contemplating saying F it and taking my money back and taking the cat somewhere else (if it's still even there?) Then who knows how long that will take? Paid over half the balance due upfront.

1st bobcat period, getting pretty worried at this point.


How long is to long? Do I give it a few more months, give the guy the benefit of the doubt? Picked the mount right out of the RMI catalog


What's the longest anyone here has waited on a bobcat?


Local taxidermist in Snohomish county



I think I have a bad run of luck with taxidermists, caught one in a outright lie (said he was sick but seen him at the bar)
Had one do a meh job on a duck then kinda write me off when I brought up how it looked

Now here I go again with what seems to be another run around..... I know the election flu (covid) kinda messed things up for alot of people but this seems pretty bad to wait 3 years on a form

[jrebel]

If it’s still in the freezer, that means it hasn’t been tanned yet, so unless he is tanning his own hides in house…..that will add another 3-9 months once he gets the form.    This tells me he hasn’t done anything with it.   Go get your hide and deposit and take it to a reputable taxidermist.   No excuses would be acceptable given your explanation. 

[Irish_hunter93]

This guy tans his own hides.  Your suggestion is Kinda the direction I'm leaning towards. Want to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but *censored*..... Then it's however long for the next guy. Arghhhhh.

If you were to pick any taxidermist in the state of WA for good cat taxidermy, who communicates and is honest, who would you go to?

[zwickeyman]

Sent you a PM

[Karl Blanchard]

Go get your cat like right now!

[boneaddict]

It takes 3 days to get a form.   I doubt thats the problem.   

[LDennis24]

Go get your cat like right now!

 

[jrebel]

This guy tans his own hides.  Your suggestion is Kinda the direction I'm leaning towards. Want to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but *censored*..... Then it's however long for the next guy. Arghhhhh.

If you were to pick any taxidermist in the state of WA for good cat taxidermy, who communicates and is honest, who would you go to?

I have used one taxidermist solely for the last 10 years, give or take.  He does amazing work.  He is honest and easy to get ahold of.  He is a little more pricey but you get what you pay for.    Jeff reeves from true to life taxidermy in east Wenatchee.   

For every one good taxidermist…..there has to be 3-4 not so great.  This is a very common thread on this forum.   Find a good one and stick with them. 

[MADMAX]

This guy does excellent work

http://www.natureswaywa.com/contact

[zwickeyman]

This guy does excellent work

http://www.natureswaywa.com/contact

      Mike is really good

[2MANY]

I'm a Black River guy but I've heard Natures Way does great cat work too.

Meow.

[johnbmyersii]

I feel your pain and am dealing with a similar situation albeit not quite as long. I've been patiently waiting on my first bear rug for over 2 years now, the original quote says 10-12 months and since that has come and long gone I've been fed multiple dates that also have come and long gone. Very frustrating indeed.

[redi]

At 3 years the cat runs the risk of being freezer burned. Most taxidermists will not order a form until the hide is tanned since they are out the money and it may be months until they actually use the form. Good luck with your cat

[Irish_hunter93]

Thanks all for the replies. Got a hold of the taxidermist who had my cat today, took my hide, skull, and deposit money back. Surprised everything was all still there. I was nice, wasn't mean, started offering more excuses as I was walking to my tuck, said thanks have a nice day. Went and took my hide and skull to a reputable taxidermist within 1 hour of driving away from this guys shop. Much more pricey but I do believe it will be worth it in the long run. Now another year long wait. It is what it is, I'm happy I was able to recover my deposit and my animal. I was frankly worried about not even getting my animal back.

When the mount is finished I will find this thread and post the end result.

Looking forward to it!

[Irish_hunter93]

Hide was starting to get a tinge of freezer burn, savable nonetheless. Seems to have caught it in time. Fingers crossed

[Irish_hunter93]

A sincere thanks for everyone's input. It's much appreciated, thank you

[jackelope]

If you’re in Snohomish county I’d run down to Duvall and talk to Chris at Wildlife Obsessions. He does awesome work. Told me a little over a year to do my deer and I had it back 13 months later.

[Irish_hunter93]

That is who I took it to, seems like he runs a tight ship, with good looking mounts. Thanks

[CastleRocker]

My son lost his first bear to a promising young taxidermist.  I had seen some great work he had done previously, and had the utmost confidence.   Didn't know he was just starting down a path of opioid addiction.  Several friends of mine had the same experience.   I took my boys first antelope to a different guy, and had the BEST experience I've ever had with a taxidermist. I dropped it off on September 12th, and he called to ask about fixing the "stripe" across the base of it's neck, but as it from my shot at him from the day before, I told him to leave it.  He called on November 20th to come get it.  Just over ONE month.  It's beautiful, and I asked hiw he does that beautiful work that quick.  He told me most taxidermists take on way more than they are capable of doing, and they don't work all day.  He works between 8 to 10 hours a day.  He's slowing down a lot more now days and only takes repeat customers, but he'll have my business until he retires for good.  Wish there were more like him!  He said the only mount/rug that should take more the 6-8 months are life-sized.

[hunter399]

I got a cougar rug I'm waiting on.
Between being on the small size,and my skinning ability.
Who knows how it will turn out.
First thing I've ever taken to a taxidermy place.
He does in house tanning,made it sound like he would have it done in 3-6 months .
Caused me to get in a hurry to have the money or balance ready.
Think I'm at 8 months now.  Which is not a problem.
I think they just tell ya what you wanna hear to get your business.
I also think some hold onto it longer to display in there shops.
To show other customers, quality work.
Haven't contacted him,I'll let him take his time and see what I get.
I'll probably contact him before the end of this year.

3 years and still frozen,and not even tanned yet.
Sounds like you made the right decision to move on.

[Rob]

If you’re in Snohomish county I’d run down to Duvall and talk to Chris at Wildlife Obsessions. He does awesome work. Told me a little over a year to do my deer and I had it back 13 months later.

I called 3 or 4 taxidermists trying to find someone to rug my Bear.  Either they would not take the work, they were 3 years out or quoted themselves out of the business.  I was refered to Wildlife obsessions.  Great work and had it in 11 months.  My buddy also had his done there.  Very good work for his bear too

[follow maggie]

I’m glad you were able to get back to even ground on it. Hopefully this new one will do what he says.

[Irish_hunter93]

My son lost his first bear to a promising young taxidermist.  I had seen some great work he had done previously, and had the utmost confidence.   Didn't know he was just starting down a path of opioid addiction.  Several friends of mine had the same experience.   I took my boys first antelope to a different guy, and had the BEST experience I've ever had with a taxidermist. I dropped it off on September 12th, and he called to ask about fixing the "stripe" across the base of it's neck, but as it from my shot at him from the day before, I told him to leave it.  He called on November 20th to come get it.  Just over ONE month.  It's beautiful, and I asked hiw he does that beautiful work that quick.  He told me most taxidermists take on way more than they are capable of doing, and they don't work all day.  He works between 8 to 10 hours a day.  He's slowing down a lot more now days and only takes repeat customers, but he'll have my business until he retires for good.  Wish there were more like him!  He said the only mount/rug that should take more the 6-8 months are life-sized.

That's a damn shame about your sons first bear....god I could only imagine how mad I'd be, seeing that disappointment on your kids face must have sucked.... that would be so aggravating.Glad you found a good one to work with though

[Irish_hunter93]

If you’re in Snohomish county I’d run down to Duvall and talk to Chris at Wildlife Obsessions. He does awesome work. Told me a little over a year to do my deer and I had it back 13 months later.

I called 3 or 4 taxidermists trying to find someone to rug my Bear.  Either they would not take the work, they were 3 years out or quoted themselves out of the business.  I was refered to Wildlife obsessions.  Great work and had it in 11 months.  My buddy also had his done there.  Very good work for his bear too

That's good to know. I think I made the right choice... something to say for being nice but there's also something about being walked on and F'd over

[Irish_hunter93]

I’m glad you were able to get back to even ground on it. Hopefully this new one will do what he says.

No kidding.... I am just happy to have gotten everything back. I was pretty worried about it. Anxiety is over , hopefully I have the taxidermist I use for the rest of my life

[Irish_hunter93]

I got a cougar rug I'm waiting on.
Between being on the small size,and my skinning ability.
Who knows how it will turn out.
First thing I've ever taken to a taxidermy place.
He does in house tanning,made it sound like he would have it done in 3-6 months .
Caused me to get in a hurry to have the money or balance ready.
Think I'm at 8 months now.  Which is not a problem.
I think they just tell ya what you wanna hear to get your business.
I also think some hold onto it longer to display in there shops.
To show other customers, quality work.
Haven't contacted him,I'll let him take his time and see what I get.
I'll probably contact him before the end of this year.

3 years and still frozen,and not even tanned yet.
Sounds like you made the right decision to move on.

Man, congrats on the cougar! That's b.adass


I'm glad I was able to get all my stuff back..... I'd call your taxidermist at the end of the timeframe he told you to get the scoop on what's going on with your mount.....call again at 1 year l, and if you start getting a string of b.s. excuses just take it somewhere else. I was nice, and patient and it got me nowhere. Not saying to be a dick or anything, be a genuine nice person, but don't get walked on either. When it gets to the point that you feel it in your gut, rip the band-aid off and get your animal back.


Good luck on the cougar! I want to see that thing posted when it is finished