Head Mount Prices?

[Geno C]

Hey guys, im just curious to see howmuch head mounts are going for now a days? and what the average turn around time is...

experiences from last year....

[Culvercreek hunt club]

my last one was 600....5 years ago...took a year

[bushnell]

I work with a guy who went to school and has his license to be a taxidermist and his price is 525-550. And around my parts here in PA that is about average price.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Mine was 350 or 400 2 years ago. Took 6 months.

[rock]

in 07 i paid 500 or 525 for mine

[Geno C]

wow over 500 now? thats pretty crazy... my cousin used to be a taxidermist and he still does it for me and him. i was curious on goin prices now a days. i remember when they were like 250 - 300. doubled in about 10 years...

[wellsley]

In 1978 it cost me $ 130 for a shoulder mount with 2 feet for a gun rack.

[Cabin Fever]

OUCH!! I had NO idea they cost so much now! I feel old...

[finfeathr]

Last season, my price for a shoulder mount was $425...price this season may be more depending on whether or not my form prices and tanning costs are going up.

Turn around depends on several factors, including time at the tannery, and workload..I normally do at least 100 heads per year, as well as about 200 birds, so normally, deer head customers get thier mount back over the summer.

As far as the sticker shock, I can tell you this: you get what you pay for. There are alot of fly by night operations out there that do a cheap head and fast. Problem is, when the bugs are eating it the following year because they didn't tan it, or the hide shrank so much that the seam is opening, and the lips have pulled out and the skin is pulling away from the antlers, you will certainly realize that there was indeed a tradeoff for the low price...

Rich, Fins to Feathers Taxidermy

[burmjohn]

I know where I am bringing my head if I get something this year

[LIHUNT]

Got a guy thats been doing mine for the last ten years and they all still look great.  He used to do alot of the work for either the smithonian or museum of natural history i cant remember which.  He does all his work out of his shop in PA.  Prices range from $250-300 depending on the position of the shoulder mount.  Ie. if its lip curl and needs the upper palet of the mouth. He just tends to take a while. You have to be willing to wait about a year and a half for the turn around.  Def. worth the wait in my opinon.

[Geno C]

yeah prices deff went up, but then again what didnt?! lol

[ballbusta]

I paid $395 last season for shoulder mount

[RangerClay]

Turn around depends on several factors, including time at the tannery, and workload..I normally do at least 100 heads per year, as well as about 200 birds, so normally, deer head customers get thier mount back over the summer.

As far as the sticker shock, I can tell you this: you get what you pay for. There are alot of fly by night operations out there that do a cheap head and fast. Problem is, when the bugs are eating it the following year because they didn't tan it, or the hide shrank so much that the seam is opening, and the lips have pulled out and the skin is pulling away from the antlers, you will certainly realize that there was indeed a tradeoff for the low price...

Rich, Fins to Feathers Taxidermy

Amen!  You get what you pay for.  My cousin had to get cape for his buck because the bugs ate the first one up.  I paid $550 for my last mount.  I hear he is up to $600 now and I would pay it in a heartbeat for his quality.

I was at another taxidermist shop recently to get a coyote tanned and his deer work was horrible.  Get out there and look/shop around.  Don't wait till you get a deer and are scambling to find one.