Average Price Paid for a deer Shoulder Mount

[ErikN]

I know its not about money,............ unless your broke and want a mount. I was just curious who you all go to and what they charge. I realize you can't put a price on sentimental value of what the animal meant to you. But sometimes boning out an animal in the back country, I have had to decide if I am cape it so I can pay in the $600 range for a mount, or if its not a total trophy if I should just go European, or just antlers.

[JPhelps]

I will be bringing any of my animals I want mounted to Charlie's Taxidermy in Tenino and I will pay what he is charging at the time.


http://charliestaxidermy.net/Home_Page.html

[Tbar]

I don't know but what I've seen j is right on. Closer to you is garth in anacortes he does good work.

[bucklucky]

You should have seen the mount a new customer of mine just picked up from another local Taxidermist out of Olympia, paid 475 for it and it looks like my 3 year old daughter mounted it. All the hair slipped off the back of the ears and the deers back and they glued hair on in layers to "cover" it up, nothing was remotely close to beeing in the correct spots and to top it off, they did not use her cape . That taxi is not on this forum By the way, but  has been talked about on here a few times. I feel sorry for the people that use them. Seems average prices are going to be in that mid 500 dollar range and ranging from 250 - 800.

[huntnnw]

Ive seen some horrible work around here.. and people think they look great..I cringe..I use Dumont in Libby and have paid $600 for a pedestal

[blindpig]

I will be bringing any of my animals I want mounted to Charlie's Taxidermy in Tenino and I will pay what he is charging at the time.


http://charliestaxidermy.net/Home_Page.html

  excellent work, great guy fair price.

[Bean Counter]

Erik,
I don't know how long you've been hunting but since you've only got 10 posts on here I'll open the possibility that you haven't hunted long. If that IS the case, you might consider caping the animals out anyway. Mainly for the practice. One of my first deer was from a doe tag and I'm glad I still practiced on it because the eyes, mouth, etc are a bit tricky at first. Secondly, if you decide not to mount, if you shoot a big enough animal you can always sell the cape to a taxidermist as there are always people who DON'T practice caping and when they finally kill that buck of a lifetime they've shredded the cape up and now have to pay you cash for yours 

[addicted]

i see a lot of places going for 175-225 euros (175 euro equals about 250 bucks) its cheap yes but you rarely see the quality you would get from charlie or michelle.

[TeacherMan]

I can say my two largest deer I didn't pay enough! 400 sounds good at the time but they look like s:&$t and I'm going to have to someday buy a new cape or shoot a comparable sized deer and have them redone. I will be paying whatever the artist wants to get my trophies looking like they should.

[washingtonmuley]

Ive seen some horrible work around here.. and people think they look great..I cringe..I use Dumont in Libby and have paid $600 for a pedestal

Huntnw,
Former owner Dennis is a great friend of mine. John took over the business and does some great work as well.I just spent a week doing some ducks and a whitey with them.I have seen some work from others on this site and they do great work as well.
I think you should expect to pay at least $600.00 for a good mount.

[NWBREW]

I voted for 650-800 but I am not sure what the average would be. I do know that ANY big game shoulder mounts I will have done in the future will go to Charlie. Amazing work.

Charlie....I don't know what you charge for deer. Is that in the ballpark? Just asking cause I hope to pay you a visit in the fall. 

[bucklucky]

As of right now Im 525 plus tax wich is 566 I think out the door but may possibly have a rate increase accrossed the board of 10% this year. Im not positive what Im gona do but as of now 525.oo

[BOWHUNTER45]

I don't know but what I've seen j is right on. Closer to you is garth in anacortes he does good work.

   Man I best stay out of this one !!!!!

[BOWHUNTER45]

I can say my two largest deer I didn't pay enough! 400 sounds good at the time but they look like s:&$t and I'm going to have to someday buy a new cape or shoot a comparable sized deer and have them redone. I will be paying whatever the artist wants to get my trophies looking like they should.

  like that comment .... ARTIST 

[Tbar]

OK bowhunter45 lets hear it. I would rather hear it now than pay for it later. I have had good experiences but am always learning from and about people. Especially if I am doing business with them. Thanks

[wsucowboy]

The last shoulder mount I had done was in the fall of 07'. It ran a little over $700 if I remember right. I don't know the guys name off the top of my head but he's next to dump in Enumclaw. Does really good work, my dad has had a few shoulder mounts there also and they come out looking really good

[Maverick]

a small taxidermist I take all my stuff to does euro mounts for $100 and shoulder mounts for $400 deer and $700 elk. I love this guys work! He keeps his price down because he doesn't advertise and wants to be competetive. I've had lots of my buddys to take stuff to him and none have ever had a problem with his work. Everyone loves his work and his prices! Great taxidermist for a man just doing it in the shop behind his house. I'll always take my stuff to him.

[jeepasaurusrex]

I just got mine back Thursday. I paid $595 to have Moro Taxidermy in Lake Stevens do it and they supplied the cape. It turned out great. 

[bucklucky]

a small taxidermist I take all my stuff to does euro mounts for $100 and shoulder mounts for $400 deer and $700 elk. I love this guys work! He keeps his price down because he doesn't advertise and wants to be competetive. I've had lots of my buddys to take stuff to him and none have ever had a problem with his work. Everyone loves his work and his prices! Great taxidermist for a man just doing it in the shop behind his house. I'll always take my stuff to him.

Post up some pictures with close ups 

Im a small taxidermist that works in a small shop behind my house, but I charge what I do to actually make a profit and Im not even expensive 

[BOWHUNTER45]

yeah their might even be a new in the garage Taxidermist coming soon but he might just be a bird kinda guy ..... He is thinking hard about it at this time ... just do not know if he is good enough ...   as far as big game Buckly is the man ... I have been around taxidermy for along time ...used to help a friend who was a taxidermist but he is no longer here ...I have payed attention on the details buckly puts into his work and he is truly a dang good artist ....I was also truly impressed with those Steelhead replicas Joe did ...awesome work !!!

[bucklucky]

And Maverick, I wasnt trying to be negative towards you or  your guy just wanted to make that clear  . I hear People talk about some cheap guy that does great work for cheap,  quite a bit but once the pictures are posted or I see the mount,  I usually see whay they are cheap. I will only beleive it if I see good quality close ups of the finish work and detail. 

[huntnfmly]

The last shoulder mount I had done was in the fall of 07'. It ran a little over $700 if I remember right. I don't know the guys name off the top of my head but he's next to dump in Enumclaw. Does really good work, my dad has had a few shoulder mounts there also and they come out looking really good

:yeah:we just had him do my daughters 09 deer does good work i know his name but dont think i can say cuz he dont advertise on here.Pm me if you need

[seth30]

Buck I agree with you, I recently just got into having taxidermey done.  For Birds I go through John Naab of WC Taxidermy, and wont go any where else   I see other mounts at various shops or friends homes, and wonder wow you actually paid for that.  I think like any thing else do your research before you drop a animal off.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Not to threadjack... But its along the same lines. Alot of taxis turn a nice Shoulder mount, I have several great ones. but buckluckys custom pedastals, omg. Even my wife is pushing me to get more mounts after seeing some of the custom pedastals. If only I can do my part......

[dscubame]

I have noticed a huge difference in price between quality proven taxis of eastern WA and western WA taxis.  So much so I have had more than a few friends use taxis around Spokane after I commented on the price difference I have observed.

[seth30]

I have noticed a huge difference in price between quality proven taxis of eastern WA and western WA taxis.  So much so I have had more than a few friends use taxis around Spokane after I commented on the price difference I have observed.

cost of living

[bucklucky]

One thing that does suck is the Taxis that have mounts too look at but the work they actually put out is nothing like there displays. Saw this happen rescently .

[Michelle_Nelson]

Price doesn't always dictate quality.  I have seen a few taxidermists that are real cheap that do great work.  Lots of times they are just afraid of charging what they are worth for the fear of losing work. 
 
I have also seen guys charging in upward of $600 for a shoulder mount that looks like crap. 
 
People suprise me all the time with there idea of what a quality mount it.  

[carpsniperg2]

I think now days 450-550 is pretty standard from what I have seen at the trade shows and such.

[bigmak154]

I went with Garth in Anacortes at Fildalgo taxidermy. He does excellent work, can guarantee that your mount is done within 9 months. I paid about 700$ for my black tail shoulder mount but it was well worth the drive and well worth the money!

[hogsniper]

I go with Charlie for my mounts these days.  Dont like the guy but he puts out a good product!   

[NWBREW]

 

[daydreamn]

Price doesn't always dictate quality.  I have seen a few taxidermists that are real cheap that do great work.  Lots of times they are just afraid of charging what they are worth for the fear of losing work. 
 
I have also seen guys charging in upward of $600 for a shoulder mount that looks like crap. 
 
People suprise me all the time with there idea of what a quality mount it.  

[bucklucky]

I go with Charlie for my mounts these days.  Dont like the guy but he puts out a good product!   

Justin, you can get away with that now because all your stuff is done 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I go with Charlie for my mounts these days.  Dont like the guy but he puts out a good product!   

Justin, you can get away with that now because all your stuff is done 

ya he shoots those baby deer and thinks it is worth mounting ... did you finish his yet ?

[Maverick]

look in the fox thread for a pic of my mounted fox. I'm on my cell and can't post more pics. There's also a wood duck on here somewhere. He does do it for a living. The reason he doesn't advertise is because he's already swamped with work. Sorry but I refuse to pay 600 something for a buck or 1200 for and elk like a guy in town does. Idc how good the work is. May work for other people but not me. Just cause it costs more doesn't make it better. All that matter is that the taxi is good at what he does and does it right.

off subject just curious. What do you taxis charge for a fully body whitetail buck mount?

[YoterHunter]

i use my cusin, shes been doing them for over 18 years .and dose one heck of a job . 325 out the door .

[BOWHUNTER45]

i use my cusin, shes been doing them for over 18 years .and dose one heck of a job . 325 out the door .

  wow Thats unheard of now days OR is that your price ?

[BOWHUNTER45]

crazy ...taxidermy is an art so I think a taxi should charge what he thinks his work is worth to him ..and from what I have seen there are a few good ones on here ...No Doubt About That ...

[gasman]

i use my cusin, shes been doing them for over 18 years .and dose one heck of a job . 325 out the door .

  wow Thats unheard of now days OR is that your price ?

Thast what she charged me for my 2009 buck....
 

[bucklucky]

i use my cusin, shes been doing them for over 18 years .and dose one heck of a job . 325 out the door .

Post up some good close ups of that 325 dollar mount and Ill give you a taxidermy education. Lets see it.

[huntnnw]

I WANNA SEE IT ALSO

[Michelle_Nelson]

I hope thats not what she charges everyone and that was your price out the door.  Hope she is not trying to make a living charging $325 for a Deer Head. 

[Miles]

It all depends on the customer's needs and wants.  They might be looking for value, or they may be looking for quality.  What one person see's as a value deal, another may not.   I am sure there are taxidermists out there who are targeting the value oriented consumer, and others who are targeting the quality oriented consumer where price is not the deciding factor.  If you're a taxidermist, you should know what market you are targeting, and stick with it...  It's the same with any business.  Think Bushnell and Swarovski, they both have their piece of the market and sell some of the same products, but they are clearly targeting different consumer groups.
 
 

[dscubame]

I hope thats not what she charges everyone and that was your price out the door.  Hope she is not trying to make a living charging $325 for a Deer Head.

The few I am close too do not do it for a living and hence lower than average price for better than average work.  They are artists and enjoy the work.  Very inexpensive and very top shelf work for the two reasons mentioned previously, not relied on for a living and doing it as a artist who enjoys the craft.

[whacker1]

I have had work done that is on the lower to middle end of the spectrum on price and most of that particular taxidermist's work is good, but not great  A blacktail and a bear rug and euro elk.  I actually think he is the most cost effective place on earth to do a modified Euro if you like his style with it.

I however have had some  work done by a slightly higher priced taxidermist, roughly 20% more expensive, and the work is all of 20% better if not 40% better.  It isn't until someone points out the differences in the less expensive taxidermists work that I begin to take notice.  Now that I know what I am looking for and my own little pet peaves I am a little bit more critical.  I also notice that the higher quality work holds its integrity for many more years than the average work. 

[bucklucky]

I hope thats not what she charges everyone and that was your price out the door.  Hope she is not trying to make a living charging $325 for a Deer Head.

The few I am close too do not do it for a living and hence lower than average price for better than average work.  They are artists and enjoy the work.  Very inexpensive and very top shelf work for the two reasons mentioned previously, not relied on for a living and doing it as a artist who enjoys the craft.

POst up some good close up pictures and lets see how good they are. I dont beleive anything until I see it. From my experiance they wont be as good as one lets on .