Taxidermy suggestions in middle TN

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

I plan on getting my first archery buck mounted. I live in Murfreesboro and I have never worked with a taxidermist around here. Any good suggestions? I am looking for good quality work and not really concerned with how long it takes.

[Jasongar8]

The best in middle TN as far as I am concerned. Foster and his son are top notch.

Foster Butt Taxidermy Madison, TN, 37115 - YELLOWPAGES.COM

[Guest clutepc]

Thanks for starting this thread, I was going to get one started in the hope I have something to take to one this year.

I think the one from last year is just overrun with work, still waiting on a buck from last Nov.

[Guest Bronker]

The best in middle TN as far as I am concerned. Foster and his son are top notch.

Foster Butt Taxidermy Madison, TN, 37115 - YELLOWPAGES.COM

True. But VERY expensive.

What are you looking to spend? I've got a couple of local guys that do pretty good work at a reasonable price.

[Guest clutepc]

That's what I was curious about, what is the normal going rate and time frame for a shoulder mount.

Do they normally require half the cost up front?

[Guest Bronker]

That's what I was curious about, what is the normal going rate and time frame for a shoulder mount.

Do they normally require half the cost up front?

Had my son's whitetail mounted last year for $250. Problem is, we waited 11 months. But the work is immaculate.

Here's my guy:

About

[Guest clutepc]

Had my son's whitetail mounted last year for $250. Problem is, we waited 11 months. But the work is immaculate.

Here's my guy:

About

That's what I paid last year and I'll be at 11 months with mine in about 2 weeks, maybe mine will be finished by then.

I thought the Rush service he offered was interesting for only a $100 more

[Guest Bronker]

That's what I paid last year and I'll be at 11 months with mine in about 2 weeks, maybe mine will be finished by then.

I thought the Rush service he offered was interesting for only a $100 more

He does a lot of work for some big name people. Spook Spann, Walter Parrot, Mike Jones. Baby Bronker:)

Don and I went to grade school together, and going to his shop is like a wildlife museum. He's really good!

[Guest clutepc]

He does a lot of work for some big name people. Spook Spann, Walter Parrot, Mike Jones. Baby Bronker:)

Don and I went to grade school together, and going to his shop is like a wildlife museum. He's really good!

Well I hope I have a reason to go see him this year, sounds like it's worth the trip to him.

[Guest Bronker]

Well I hope I have a reason to go see him this year, sounds like it's worth the trip to him.

Let me know if you come to town. Lunch on me:up:

Don't be alarmed when you pull up to his place. His 'shop' is two gutted-out single wide trailers, with a wooden building connecting them, and he has about 10 pit bull dogs. It looks like a bomb site, but his work is worth it. Spook was at my house the other day and thought my son's deer was the best he'd ever seen...and he's seen a few nicely-done whitetails:cool:

[Guest Jcochran88]

I will agree that Don does awesome work. He did my b-i-l's 10 pointer 2 years ago and it looks great. He will do my next one.

[Guest Bronker]

...He will do my next one.

Hope we head to his house straight from Oklahoma!

[Guest Jcochran88]

That would be nice!

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

I am not overly concerned about price, or time frame for that matter. I just want to make sure I get a good mount. so Fosters is the going recommendation at this point?

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

He does a lot of work for some big name people. Spook Spann, Walter Parrot, Mike Jones. Baby Bronker:)

Don and I went to grade school together, and going to his shop is like a wildlife museum. He's really good!

Don who? I missed the details of Don's shop in this thread somewhere.

[DaveS]

A Taxidermist "on top of his game" should only have your deer 2-3 months at most. Some that I know stretch the time into the next year to have a "year round" income. Going rate seems to be about $200.00. Most require a deposit to cover material expenses. There is no good reason to have someone's deer head for 11 months. There's something wrong with that!

[Jasongar8]

A Taxidermist "on top of his game" should only have your deer 2-3 months at most. Some that I know stretch the time into the next year to have a "year round" income. Going rate seems to be about $200.00. Most require a deposit to cover material expenses. There is no good reason to have someone's deer head for 11 months. There's something wrong with that!

I'm guessing that you are a taxidermist yourself? What if the taxidermist gets in 300 mounts a year ranging from full body brown bears to cape buffalo? Do you still think that he should only have to have two months to get your deet head done? I would rather a good taxidemist have my mount for a year than a crappy one have it back to me in a month....

[DaveS]

A Taxidermist has FULL CONTROL of his work load. He/she should not take in more work than they can get done in a reasonable amount of time. In some cases a month IS A REASONABLE amount of time to keep a person's deer head. There are many good and excellant Taxidermist out there. I just don't agree to keeping someone's DEERHEAD for than 2-3 months....period. It takes about 1 hour to skin and rough flesh the head cape. Two days for the first pickleing, about one hour to final flesh the cape. Two more days in the pickle, 30 minutes to neatralize the acid bath, 22 hours of tanning, and about 4 hours to mount. Allow about 2-3 weeks for drying (depending on humity etc.) And about 2-3 hours for finnish work. This still does not add up to 11 months! My experience is...most hold ups is getting the customer to come "out of pocket" for a deposit, or to come and pick his stuff up! Sorry for the lengthy post....but when seeking out a Taxidermist, having your mount for that length of time is not acceptable! Ask the taxidermist why he quoted you the completion time he did. I know a Taxidermist right here, right now, that will keep your stuff for months and months. But everytime I go to the local archery shop, he's standing around drinking coffee....ASK YOUR TAXIDERMIST WHY HE IS TAKING 11 MONTHS OR MORE! Sorry for the rant.....

[Guest clutepc]

A Taxidermist has FULL CONTROL of his work load. ASK YOUR TAXIDERMIST WHY HE IS TAKING 11 MONTHS OR MORE! Sorry for the rant.....

Not Ranting to me, making a good point.

Understanding the 11 months is the problem I have when mine was dropped off on Nov 6th and promised between May or June and now.. still no mount.

Not sure what the reason is really, just getting excuses. I'm really ready to just go get it say I'll finish it. Just glad I didn't pay in full upfront.

My problem is I've never worked with any Taxidermist until last year and so I just don't know any different, probably like many others.

I understand they want to keep some backlogged for constant work so maybe a 5-7 month wait Max but 11 to me has always been over the top unless they make it clear up front that it will be next year.

Edited September 29, 2010 by clutepc

[Guest Bronker]

WD-40, you should run for a Democratic senate seat! You got angry on my behalf, and I didn't even ask you to!

Seriously, I've never had a mount done in under 6 months. I believe I'd be nervous if someone only took 2-3 months to do it. It tells me that either they are rushing, or they are not busy enough. Either point speaks volumes to me.

Regarding my buddy that took 11 months: He does large volumes of animals, is the best around, and is worth the wait. He always asks if I need it sooner. He offers to have it done faster if I need it for my son's birthday, etc. I check with him every couple of months, and he gives me updates, and yet other offers to speed it up of I need it.

Anyway...

[Jasongar8]

Seriously, I've never had a mount done in under 6 months. I believe I'd be nervous if someone only took 2-3 months to do it. It tells me that either they are rushing, or they are not busy enough. Either point speaks volumes to me.

Yes sir, I totally agree.

[DaveS]

I didn't mean to get upset. When I run my shop full time, and I did, boars, bears, deer, coyote...everything a taxidermist would. I'm not ashamed of getting my clients work in, done, and out. I wouldn't get nervous about a taxidermist getting your deer done in a couple of months. I would be nervous about the one that " took your money" and is making excuses to you month after month. There are some good Taxidermist out there. I am very familiar with some. I still my friend, can't buy off on taking almost a year to do a deer head. I wish I could reccomend a Taxidermist, but can't. Those sujestions have already been made. If I were looking (fortunately I do my own work)for a taxidermist, and he told me 8 months to a year to complete my deer head, I would ask him to defray the deposit until he was ready to start work. Don't let him tie up your money and sit on it. Pay it when he's ready to work! There is more to shopping for a taxidermist than prices. If that taxidermist only elects to take in enough deer to say, maybe doing two a day, and can get your deer head done and out in two or three months, then he has scheduled his work wisley and not bit off more than he can chew. On the other hand, if he takes in all he can get his hands on, then nothing is getting done in a timely manner, your money is tied up, and you are getting excuses (ligit or otherwise) on why your mount is not on your wall. When choosing a taxidermist, ask for references! If I was your Taxidermist, and took your money, how long (be honest now) would you like me to sit on your money, and not produce a mount for you? And what would you expect of your Taxidermist?

Edited September 29, 2010 by wd-40

[ShaunM]

I'm lucky I have a friend who does it on the side and he has a lot of mounts to do and he still got my fox done in 5 months and like I said he does this part time and does a great job!

[Guest pws_smokeyjones]

Ok - so back to my original question - Where in the Nashville/Murfreesboro area should I take my deer?

[ShaunM]

I would try looking in the phone book or online then see if anyone has any reviews on them if you don't get your answer here. Also go check the places out, take a look at their work.