You have waited a lifetime to finally draw that tag of a lifetime or go on a international hunt or ? and now it must go to a taxidermist to preserve it forever but where do I go, the guy on the corner that does taxidermy on the side-they say he is pretty good and cheap or do I look in the phone book, haha I couldn’t help myself on that one , or do I look online and go from there.
1st off lets go over some opinions
One should never bring the said trophy to anyone that does it part time and have a day job to pay the bills. If he isn’t committed to becoming a full time taxidermist and they are not the ones to trust with a special trophy. I don’t care if he is your neighbor or your friend or even family , there is a line to cross from its ok work to holy sh*t that’s good work. Always bring it to a professional studio, walk into the studio or go online to a studio and really look around in the showroom and the work area so you can see if its a clean and professional environment or is it a pig sty . If online, call them and have them facetime you so you can see it 1st hand, very simple to do.
2nd is NEVER make your decision on price. You cannot believe how many calls I get concerning the price of a animal or if I bring in more than one do I get a deal on price-my answer is hell no, that right there tells me you are very conservative and will be very demanding no matter what I do . Some people are closed minded and only think of the bottom line, some are worried on what their significant other is going to say when they finds out what you paid for that dead thing on the wall and if that is a concern than you have a whole hell of a lot of things wrong and this isn’t one of them. Others only look at the horns/antlers. the rack can be big and the mount could be crossed eyed but they never see that, only horns. Price should always be looked at last, to a point. some studio’s have so much overhead that they charge WAY TOO MUCH and people pay it, why because they think it if the work is done there it’s God’s work. I know of the big shops charging 10x the rates I charge and my work is as good or better . They charge their rate because of their overhead , I charge what I do is for the reason on where my studio is and the economy of my state Plus Montana has no sales tax. . Just because Capp taxidermy studio is located in a small Montana town most people come to the conclusion that you’re just a local yokel, which in my case is very far from the truth. Capp’s Taxidermy Studio is a global wildlife artistry studio creating art on all the game animals of the world. What you are buying is the talent of the artist-taxidermist. Your not buying a car or appliance . Not all taxidermist are created equally. For the smart guy that always wants a deal, remember that you get what you pay for. If I give a deal and that a huge if I’m always going to skimp on something and the guy that is paying full rate , I’m going all out for them.
3rd is time frame. If the taxidermist is any good than he is in demand and is backlogged, simple as that, we can only do so much unless we want it to look like the work the guy does in his garage. Any good studio does the work in 8 to 13 months turn around time, if you had the only piece in the studio being worked on than yes ,you would get it sooner but that is not the way it is. Please do not be the one that is constantly calling/texting and saying ”is it done yet”, I cannot tell you how annoying that is and if you do it enough I will put off doing your piece longer just to spite you so please don’t be that person, I only want to remember the piece of art I do for you, not the ass****of a person you were.
Next you have to do your homework and see how long he is in business as a full time guy, what type of mounts do they do, do they mount their work there or do they sub-contract out the work. Ask for references for the type you want done, do they ship. do they home tan”-you are going to do what with my cape”- or do they ship to a professional tannery and which one do they use–I only use the best in the country , not just the one in the state, you are only limited to what you have been told to do-never go status quo !!!!
With the internet now you do not have to use the guy in the same town, you can send it to a great taxidermist in another state. If the animal needs to be skinned-one should of done this on the mountain but if not then skin it, it not brain surgery , if you cut a hole than you cut a hole and it can be repaired. Go on line or get a app and they will tell you what to do. Then freeze it-don’t salt it cuz salt doesn’t freeze. Put it in a box and ship next to 2nd day air it them.
Here at Capp’s Taxidermy Studio LLC is received about 75% of my work from outside the state , mainly off my web sites and by having a booth at certain sport shows. why you may ask and it pretty simple answer and that is I’m dam good, very professional and an always working for the client from major freight discounts to emailing or texting them updated pic’s of the work-before I start to the final piece, working with you on all the international orders that you have problems with and yes there are always hiccups and for a good rate that compares to other full time professionals. A USDA approved establishment , 40 yrs experience and I have mounted many times over the game animals of the world.
Great taxidermy is best viewed at 6 to 8 ft away. If want to shove a flashlight up his nose or in his ear or anywhere else than do it but no one cares about that, we really dont. Its all about the overall appearance , the hair, muscle detail, attitude , etc
So open your mind , THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX and explore. Shop around by looking at the work and not the dam prices. Talk to them and that right there is where you can tell if they are phony or true.
If you want to use one of the great taxidermy studio’s in the nation than contact Capp’s Taxidermy io LLC and see what we can do for you.
