Wildlife Obsession Duvall WA Taxidermy Closing its doors

[Bearhunter]

Has anyone been in contact with Wildlife Obsession recently? A couple of buddies told me they may be closing their doors—or have already closed—but I haven’t been able to reach anyone to confirm what’s going on. I dropped off a brown bear, caribou, and fox nearly two years ago and have only had one update since then.

When I spoke with them early this summer, they said my mounts would be finished soon, but I’ve heard nothing since. Their voicemail says they’re shutting down in summer 2026 and will either return or finish existing projects upon customer request, and that communication should be by text only. A bit odd, but maybe the phone never stops ringing.

Either way, I’ve called multiple times and sent several text messages without any response. I’m getting pretty concerned given the amount of money I have tied up in these animals.

Does anyone have any additional information or recommendations on how to proceed?

[dreadi]

Did you stop by the shop?

[boneaddict]

Man these threads re becoming way too common. I sure hope you get some positive news.

[Bearhunter]

Twice...

[Ridgerunner]

What a nightmare, I'm sorry to hear that.  Praying for the best possible outcome.

[Irish_hunter93]

Same.... I work with a guy who knows the owner personally,  says he will be finishing all work, says he has never left a project unfinished..... I sure hope that is the case. he has a bobcat of mine, been 2 years waiting to get it back with his shop (wildlife obsessions) after I took it back from a different local taxidermist in snohomish county that had it for 3 years and never touched it.


Guess we'll see....


But I haven't had any success in reaching the owner via phone call or text at all personally.



The person who knows the owner is adamant that all work will be finished or things wil be made right.

[jamesfromseattle]

PM sent. Sorry to hear this. I had a similar issue with them a couple years ago and posted on here, and a well known Hunt WA member on here reached out for me.

I think the risk of public shaming was highly motivating, so hopefully the fact you posted will get things moving.

[Bearhunter]

I understand that shutting down a business you built from the ground up is never an easy decision. I truly have compassion for the difficult circumstances that may have led to this point. However, completely cutting off communication with clients who trusted the business, paid deposits, and are simply hoping for their animals or a completed product is not acceptable.

I don’t want to make this any harder on the shop or anyone involved, but the way things are being handled right now isn’t helping the situation. The animals I entrusted to the business are not easily replaced — the cost of the hunts alone would exceed $40,000. Brown Bears, in particular, are highly regulated by the State of Alaska and the Game Department, which makes the loss even more significant.

The last thing I want is to escalate this, but if communication continues to be nonexistent, my only remaining option would be to involve an attorney to pursue restitution for the hunts, and potentially notify the game department regarding the disappearance of trophy animals. When a business shuts down and vanishes with a customer’s property, it can lead to civil legal action and, in some cases, criminal investigations for theft.

I honestly hate even having to bring these things up, but at this point the situation doesn’t look promising, and I am growing increasingly concerned.

[Boneyard72]

They have my Mt. Lion and moose. It has been 2 years.  Last communication in April that I initiated said they would be done 6 months ago in May.  Hoping for the best for all involved. 

[dreadi]

So what happened when you went to the shop?


Black Hammer Arms
www.blackhammerarms.com
The Guy On HuntWA Selling Suppressors
@blackhammerarms

[buddy01]

they have my 6pt bull. paid in full I left him a text message this morning. well see.

[Bearhunter]

Last time I stopped by the shop no one was there....  I am going to have a buddy stop by some time over the next week as he is much closer than I am at this point being almost 2hrs away.

[Sundance]

I feel for everyone hanging out there with animals at this shop, been it that situation a few too many times. I got burned by a shop 15+ years ago, took the deposits and ran, never got the head/hides back. Next one had a deer at a shop for almost 5 years, finally got the antlers back after lots of phone calls, unannounced visits, and finally a public shaming thread on HuntWa. Finding a good shop is hard, and communication is the critical element. My last mount was a long wait, but I was told that upfront, and given updates when the deadline passed. I got that mount back and it's the best one I own, well worth the wait. I have no issue with extending grace and being understanding of life's circumstances, the key is clear communication even if it's bad news/delays. Hope it all works out for everyone involved.

[Boneyard72]

they have my 6pt bull. paid in full I left him a text message this morning. well see.

What # do you have buddy01?

[stw]

I also have been calling i have a full turkey mount there for the last  year and 9 months now . They  said last April when I stoped by there it be done in 2 weeks still no answer. I've paid Grand on it so far