Deer Pricing

[Jeff G]

In your own opinion what do you expect a nice quality shoulder mount to cost?

[dreaming bucks]

The prices just keep going up and up. I pretty much made up my mind, that for now on I'm going to get skull mounts, unless it's an absolute giant to me...

[BigHills BuckHunter]

The prices just keep going up and up. I pretty much made up my mind, that for now on I'm going to get skull mounts, unless it's an absolute giant to me...

In 2004 I got my first bow buck mounted for $300. I think that same guy charges over 400 now.

[Bucky]

2002 price was $400... now $600!

[Bucky]

Jeff - since we are both giving information here.... what are your material costs in each mount. Ball park avg form, eyes, ears, shop supplies etc?

[Dewey]

I think $425-$475 range is fair for a quality mount. The price has risen about $100 in the last 10 years locally.

Shot a smaller buck this year so did a euro and will probably only spend money on a shoulder mount in the future if it is bigger than my current largest on the wall so it will have to be 150"+.

[Stanley]

In the late 70s I was paying $125.00 now it's $375.00 (might be $400.00 this year). That said the work is much better now days. I guess it's a luxury but $600 is getting up there. I think the big name guys get $575.00 and then whiskers, teeth, special eyes are extra. I took one to a hack last year $250.00 but it was a real garbage mount.

[Brad]

Around my neck of the woods I have been paying around 425-450 average. I did do an open mouth one in 2011 that was 522 with tax. I think my last 3 are 500 and 400. The two that are 500 are more because there going to be on a pedestal mount and had to have the back finished with leather so it cost more. I will pay up to 5 but its tough to go over that when there are a bunch of good taxidermists in my area that get 400-450.

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[Jeff G]

Jeff - since we are both giving information here.... what are your material costs in each mount. Ball park avg form, eyes, ears, shop supplies etc?

eyes $15
ears $15
Form $70 ish (varies on forms, plus shipping)
tanning ($50 varies, plus shipping)
Clay, glue, etc. $20

Thats almost $200, not including payroll, utilities.

We took our tanning in house to help keep costs down.

[BassBoysLLP]

Prices will continue to rise as the form price continues to rise. The middle of the road taxidermists aren't making significantly more money/hour than they did 10 years ago. The best taxidermists are making more (and they should!). Quality work with a reasonable turn around time should cost more. If the best taxidermists didn't raise their prices, they would be flooded with mounts, turnaround time would suffer, and they would end up working more for less.

[Black Squirrel]

I pay $485+tx. that was 3 years ago, probably more now. Thats for a quality mount. I had my first two deer done by a cheaper guy, shot one with bow and one with gun, in the same year. Got a discount on two. Mounts look like $..t. If it's worth mounting it's worth doing it right in my opinion, and that means paying for quality work.

[Jeff G]

When you look at the amount you make per hour, it is not a lot. The deer I mount start at the shop, and I then take them home and set up inside the house to "baby sit" as they dry. We could pound out deer and use lots of short cuts, but we REFUSE to do that. Each and every deer gets the same amount of detail regardless it it is a doe or a 200". they all get "baby sat" and done right. All these supplies can be bought by anyone on the internet. You can tell the "hobbist taxidermist" when you go to the deer and turkey show. When you take your deer in, or even better yet, look at peoples work before you get your trophy. Ask what steps they do to ensure an awesome mount. If they do not "baby sit", they are just pounding out mounts...thats my 2 cents.

[Edcyclopedia]

I paid $525 for this years mount.
I think that's fair when you consider the breakdown (that you showed nicely) of materials.

Obviously some guys are more experienced and faster, although that's an oxymoron, due the fact it takes a CERTAIN amount of time to due the job right, without cutting corners...

$300 (after material costs) / 15 hours = $20/hour
$300 / 20hours = $15/hr.

No ones getting rich; so it has to be a labor of love and I know I appreciate my taxidermist for his value!!!

[Bucky]

Prices will continue to rise as the form price continues to rise. The middle of the road taxidermists aren't making significantly more money/hour than they did 10 years ago. The best taxidermists are making more (and they should!). Quality work with a reasonable turn around time should cost more. If the best taxidermists didn't raise their prices, they would be flooded with mounts, turnaround time would suffer, and they would end up working more for less.

Exactly what my taxidermist told me... he said he is making roughly the same hourly rate he was 10yrs ago....

[matt1336]

I just do skull mounts. It'd take a special deer for me to spend $500+ on the mount. I spend enough on equipment, gas and getting sausage brats hot sticks and whatever made.
With that said, if I did choose to get a mount done. I wouldn't look for the best bargain. I'd go with the most reputable guys who do quality work.

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