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Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: WAcoyotehunter on January 12, 2012, 11:07:15 AM

Title: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on January 12, 2012, 11:07:15 AM: Aside from Soucy ($3900 is just too much money) who is the best cougar taxidermist in the region? I have seen several mediocre cats, but would like to find one that can hit a home run every time...I'm just not a gambler.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: boneaddict on January 12, 2012, 11:11:44 AM: Peyser, in Selah.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: vandeman17 on January 12, 2012, 11:15:20 AM: I was happy with Dan at Four Point Taxidermy in Wenatchee. Just got my cat back from him a few weeks ago. :tup:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: bugs n bones on January 12, 2012, 11:20:34 AM: Olympic taxidermy in north bend
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on January 12, 2012, 11:31:46 AM: can you guys post some close up pictures of the detail?

thanks!
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: boneaddict on January 12, 2012, 11:37:17 AM: I asked him for some reference photos. I think I have posted them on here. I'll see what I can find for you. I have never met him "officially" eventhough he is my neighbor. LOL I've just been impressed with his work, and as far as cats go, most do not impress me much (as you obviously know they are tough or you wouldn't be asking this question). His looked about as good as I have seen. Other than maybe Soucy.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: boneaddict on January 12, 2012, 11:39:53 AM: Well there was one here, but it has been removed. This guy hasn't been on since 2009.
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,894.msg12172.html#msg12172 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,894.msg12172.html#msg12172)
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: boneaddict on January 12, 2012, 11:42:04 AM: Here is a link to his gallery. I've actually seen others of his I liked better than these, so maybe its a to each his own.
http://peysertaxidermy.com/gallery.html (http://peysertaxidermy.com/gallery.html)
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on January 12, 2012, 11:43:27 AM: Thanks Doug- I'll send him an email and see if he has some pics.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: bearpaw on January 12, 2012, 12:13:43 PM: I think cougar is one thing that the fewest taxis can do well. Ask some of the taxis on here to send you a few photos, they are pretty talented from what everyone says and they are reasonable priced. You might also check with Fred Peters in Graham. We are real happy with the cats they have done for us.

The first 4 photos are a cat mounted for my wife about 3 or 4 years ago by Fred. The last two photos are another one of my wife's cats mounted 18 years ago by another taxidermist, we had the guy work on the face after we had it a while and it still didn't look quite right. Fred insisted we let him redo the face two years ago, he soaked it and completely remounted the face. It's just like a new mount and it looks so much better.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: provider on January 12, 2012, 12:31:16 PM: This guy seems to do a pretty good job.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on January 12, 2012, 12:53:09 PM: That's exactly what I'm afraid of!! :yike:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: vandeman17 on January 12, 2012, 01:01:08 PM: Here is the cat that we just had done. I have other pictures of it but not here at work

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,90153.msg1144020.html#msg1144020
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 01:02:31 PM: LOL! Just go with Soucy. One super (the best) cat is worth far more than 2 second bests. :twocents:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Hornseeker on January 12, 2012, 01:47:11 PM: Whatever you do...take your time and find a good one. $3800 IS too much in my opinion...but I haven't actually looked at pricing in a LONG LONG time. We had mine done for about $1400, back in 89.

There is a guy in Libby, MT that does second to no one...as good as Soucy. Cant remember his name though. I saw two in person and you'd have thought they were alive.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Hornseeker on January 12, 2012, 01:47:46 PM: By the way, Buzzy does do a fantastic job too...IMO (Olympic right?)
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: bearpaw on January 12, 2012, 01:49:11 PM: Quote from: Hornseeker on January 12, 2012, 01:47:46 PM
By the way, Buzzy does do a fantastic job too...IMO (Olympic right?)

He's definitely one of the best around....
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Hornseeker on January 12, 2012, 01:49:59 PM: Well, I didn't know Soucy was in Libby... I am thinking it must have been HIS cats I saw... LMAO. :dunno:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: bearpaw on January 12, 2012, 01:52:40 PM: There's a guy in Hamilton MT who has some great looking cats in his showroom too, can't remember the name.

This topic has contact info for most of the taxis here on the forum: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,81381.0.html
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: wayner on January 12, 2012, 01:58:21 PM: Just make sure the eyes dont cross :chuckle:, unless you want a conversation piece. The one Bearpaw had redone by Fred turned very nice.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 02:45:08 PM: Without a doubt, cats are the hardest. If YOU are satisfied with paying 2K-2.5K (avg going prices) for "nice", but not incredible work on a lion, then that's your choice. You have to see it every day, not me. Beings a cat is so difficult make look real, I wouldn't hesitate to go with the best. After all, one lifesize lion is "usually" what a hunter seeks. I know it's very pricey, but you referred to the best. :twocents:

If you won't go with Phil, I'd suggest looking into Bucklucky. Although I don't think he has done many lions, he strives for perfection in all his other work, so I can't see a lion being any different. When you're good, you're good. :twocents:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Bearhunter on January 12, 2012, 02:46:41 PM: I was in the same situation not to long ago I wanted to use Soucy in Libby but his cost is way up there and then factornin the cost of getting it back home.... I took a gamble and went with Charlie, with his eye for perfection we shall see how it turns out, keep your eye out for some photos and maybe you will want to use him as well! Haha I'm putting you on the spot Charlie!!
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Bearhunter on January 12, 2012, 02:49:54 PM: MtnMuley that's funny I was posting while you posted your last post, pretty much the same thoughts....
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Bean Counter on January 12, 2012, 02:58:32 PM: *TAG* thanks guys 8)

If I ever kill a cougar, I will require a full body, open mouth mount.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 12, 2012, 03:54:19 PM: Quote from: WAcoyotehunter on January 12, 2012, 11:07:15 AM
Aside from Soucy ($3900 is just too much money) who is the best cougar taxidermist in the region? I have seen several mediocre cats, but would like to find one that can hit a home run every time...I'm just not a gambler.

Bart,

This guy is really good, the best I've seen anyplace around our neck of the woods. I'm very picky and won't take my animals anyplace else.

Born Again Taxidermy in Colville
509-684-2238
Scott Hulse is the owner.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 03:59:31 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 12, 2012, 03:54:19 PM
I'm very picky and won't take my animals anyplace else.

I sure hope he's not the one who did the bobby that you have in your house, that you've posted photos of before!
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: bearpaw on January 12, 2012, 04:00:03 PM: Quote from: wayner on January 12, 2012, 01:58:21 PM
Just make sure the eyes dont cross :chuckle:, unless you want a conversation piece. The one Bearpaw had redone by Fred turned very nice.

:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

the wife actually likes that cougar now.... :tup:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Arteman on January 12, 2012, 04:40:54 PM: Quote from: provider on January 12, 2012, 12:31:16 PM
This guy seems to do a pretty good job.
I don't usually bust out laughing to myself when I'm on the net, but your comment, and that pic, my god that was funny. The dry humor!
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 12, 2012, 04:53:10 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 03:59:31 PM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 12, 2012, 03:54:19 PM
I'm very picky and won't take my animals anyplace else.

I sure hope he's not the one who did the bobby that you have in your house, that you've posted photos of before!

No way. The 2nd one was done by the good taxidermist. Big difference.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Hornseeker on January 12, 2012, 05:44:18 PM: My money says Charlie will do you a real good job...
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Elkstuffer on January 12, 2012, 05:54:48 PM: Here's one that I finished last summer for a local customer in Selah. I have 3 more that I'm working on now. Let me know if you are interested.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: KillBilly on January 12, 2012, 05:54:51 PM: Quote from: Hornseeker on January 12, 2012, 05:44:18 PM
My money says Charlie will do you a real good job...

I am positive Charlie will do an awesome job... :tup:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 06:10:48 PM: Wow, elkstuffer! Exceptional. The cat is amazing, and the scene is second to none.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Hyde on January 12, 2012, 06:11:13 PM: Buzzy Cook at Olympic in North Bend is hard to beat. Rick of Cedar River Taxi is also awesome on cats. Rick worked with Buzzy for years before opening his own shop. In my opinion, look for an example that isn't all snarled out if you want to see the real talent on cats.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 06:19:16 PM: Hyde -- I totally agree that a closed mouth cat is the judging standard, but by no means would I say to see "real talent" can only be seen this way. :twocents:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Hyde on January 12, 2012, 06:50:55 PM: My point is that a snarling cat has many faces. It's easier to get by with a screwed up eye set when your cat is frothing at the mouth, ears back, etc. Who can be the judge in that case? A pure "cat laying on log" head (eyes, mouth, etc) is much harder to get right. There's less room for error. Of course, this is just my opinion. I have never mounted a cat, so someone with experience may chime in and give their opinion.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 12, 2012, 06:52:33 PM: Don't forget guys, driving to the westside for anything is expensive for us lonely, poor eastsiders. You notice none of us really go over there to hunt...... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM: Hyde -- I totally agree with that. :sry:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Arteman on January 12, 2012, 07:59:06 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 07:03:33 PM
Hyde -- I totally agree with that. :sry:
I agree also, I prefer closed mouthed natural looking mounts, not a big fan of the snarling mounts. I agree it would be harder to get a natural calm look achieved, then a angry face of many characters.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Arteman on January 12, 2012, 08:02:41 PM: Quote from: Elkstuffer on January 12, 2012, 05:54:48 PM
Here's one that I finished last summer for a local customer in Selah. I have 3 more that I'm working on now. Let me know if you are interested.
I saved this pic when I first got on HW, always wondered who it was that did that mount, absolutely amazing work, from mount to habitat all around! Good job!!! :tup:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: SkookumHntr on January 12, 2012, 08:07:31 PM: -Elkstuffer, Great looking lion mount!! :tup:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: summit creek on January 13, 2012, 03:12:53 PM: not taking away any thing from these other taxis but i"ve never seen anyone the does beter mtlions than fred peters at peters taxidermy in graham wa.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Bean Counter on January 13, 2012, 03:16:11 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on January 12, 2012, 06:10:48 PM
Wow, elkstuffer! Exceptional. The cat is amazing, and the scene is second to none.

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

:bow: :bow: :bow:

That's exactly what I want when I finally get around to killing a cougar!
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Elkstuffer on January 15, 2012, 10:58:17 AM: Thanks again guys. It's fun to mount something other than the left, right, straight mule deer mount that we usually do 50+ times a year. I'm working on 3 cougars, a lynx and a couple bobcats now and will post them as they are finished.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Arteman on January 15, 2012, 11:40:58 AM: Quote from: Elkstuffer on January 15, 2012, 10:58:17 AM
Thanks again guys. It's fun to mount something other than the left, right, straight mule deer mount that we usually do 50+ times a year. I'm working on 3 cougars, a lynx and a couple bobcats now and will post them as they are finished.
Can't wait to see them.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: bow-n-head on January 15, 2012, 05:33:59 PM: Here is the third lion I have life sized. They are tough to get the look you want. My dad's cat.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Arteman on January 15, 2012, 08:08:35 PM: This is my wifes 2006 Lion, I like the mount but the face drives me nuts. You look at any Lion in a reference photo and they appear to be flat faced like with the nose down. The top of the pupils always touch the bottom of the upper eyelid. Is it just me or does it look funny with the chin up like a deer or elk and pupils dead center of the eyeballs? It has a surprised look to me. If it can be fixed please let me know, and what it would cost. I think the eyes should stay looking forward but the rest of the head tilted forward tell the pupils touch, if not I think ill live. Also when it was tumbled the whiskers were broke off and needs those. The first taxidermist did that, not the one that ended up mounting it.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: FWilliams on January 15, 2012, 08:57:45 PM: yep all in the face , especially the eyes, i dont care for the snarling mouth either , but have seen some good examples in this thread........i am currently doing a new "tree limb" for this mount, but was very happy with the work.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: KopperBuck on January 16, 2012, 12:49:32 AM: Quote from: Arteman on January 12, 2012, 08:02:41 PM
Quote from: Elkstuffer on January 12, 2012, 05:54:48 PM
Here's one that I finished last summer for a local customer in Selah. I have 3 more that I'm working on now. Let me know if you are interested.
I saved this pic when I first got on HW, always wondered who it was that did that mount, absolutely amazing work, from mount to habitat all around! Good job!!! :tup:

Remember seeing this. Killer work man.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: boneaddict on January 16, 2012, 06:58:53 AM: Holy crap Elkstuffer. YOU NAILED THAT ONE out of the park. That is worldclass work. SERIOUSLY!
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 16, 2012, 07:06:45 AM: yeah yeah Bone.. thanks for finding it ...I was trying to remember where this mount was....HANDS DOWN THE BEST COUGAR MOUNT I ever layed my eyes on ...... :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on January 16, 2012, 07:11:56 AM: Quote from: bow-n-head on January 15, 2012, 05:33:59 PM
Here is the third lion I have life sized. They are tough to get the look you want. My dad's cat.
This one is pretty nice too !!! I have to mount my lion yet ...Hopefully I can this coming month ..I will be doing it myself .....
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Elkstuffer on January 17, 2012, 05:09:02 PM: Thanks for the compliment Bone! I appreciate that.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Hornseeker on January 18, 2012, 09:52:12 AM: Stuffer... ditto what Bone said man... Kudos Galore.

And Atemis... yes, he does look a little surprised.... ;)
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on January 18, 2012, 09:58:20 AM: Great mount Elkstuffer!! Looks awesome :tup: Has anybody played with the "relaxed mouth" teeth with no snarl? Initially I thought I wanted closed mouth all the way..... But after looking at several of the relaxed look I am definitley leaning that way.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: Elkstuffer on January 18, 2012, 01:04:27 PM: Quote from: blackveltbowhunter on January 18, 2012, 09:58:20 AM
Great mount Elkstuffer!! Looks awesome :tup: Has anybody played with the "relaxed mouth" teeth with no snarl? Initially I thought I wanted closed mouth all the way..... But after looking at several of the relaxed look I am definitley leaning that way.

Thanks! I'm mounting a cougar now that will have a relaxed "panting" jaw. I'm using a leopard jaw piece that they are making for me now. I'll let you know when it's finished.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: bucklucky on January 18, 2012, 03:04:53 PM: Im on the process of a relaxed mouth cat now, I'm using a Scott Leannard culpted head with the relaxed mouth cup out of research. I really like the look of them.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: blacktail luv on January 18, 2012, 05:38:06 PM: Elkstuffer that mount makes me want to kill a lion real bad so I can have one in my house, it is amazing!
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: throttlejocky20 on January 18, 2012, 05:40:29 PM: I would go With Peters in Grahm he does exeptional work. He did my cat 7 years ago and I will not take a cougar anywhere else.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: MtnMuley on January 19, 2012, 10:09:28 AM: Quote from: throttlejocky20 on January 18, 2012, 05:40:29 PM
I would go With Peters in Grahm he does exeptional work. He did my cat 7 years ago and I will not take a cougar anywhere else.

Can you post a pic? I've never seen his work.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: throttlejocky20 on January 19, 2012, 04:41:40 PM: I am currently in alaska hopfully heading home soon. I will post a new pic when I get home.
Title: Re: Best cougar taxidermist????
Post by: throttlejocky20 on January 19, 2012, 04:46:13 PM: If you go to the media area I have a pic in the 2010 folder for goats,cougars.