Affordable Taxidermist

Anyone know a quality whitetail taxidermist at an affordable rate?

Lol

Does this need to be discreet?

That's like asking if there are any "hot fat girls". I think you get what you pay for in taxidermy

"Cheap" and "quality" do not belong in the same sentence man. Either go cheap. Or go for quality. And that's not just for taxidermy.

I almost posted right after that the wording was poor. The real question is does anyone know a taxidermist that will do a shoulder mount for less than $400 that you would send a deer to

it wasn't too long ago at all you could get a damn good mount done for no more than 250 or 300. Now a bunch of guys are wanting 450 for one.

Got a friend up here that does shoulder mounts for $375 or $400. Quality work and I am very happy with his work. He’s located in elkmont so it would be a little drive from Birmingham.

That's because deer manikins went from $35 to $75 in 3 years. You can thank Uncle Sam for that, in particular Obamas EPA claimed the foam used in production of manikins was bad for the environment. So, the supply companies had to re-formulate, re-tool, etc and pass the cost of doing so down to you. Even the most mundane of things big brothers got their hand in.

That is a ways off but I don't mind a drive for quality work. I called a guy in Oneonta that looks like he does a decent job from his pics for $400.

Quality to one guy might be crap to another. Go look at different peoples work in person and you will find a few you like. Then pick the one within your price range.
No different than buying a car. The last 3 i had mounted were 575 each and i am very happy with them.

Thanks for the productive response

I paid $350 over 10 years ago, so $400 for quality probably not very likely any more.

Please do NOT rely on pictures. I once saw some pics and then the finished product. Wayyyyy different. Finished was complete Crap and from the pics I thought it was fine. Spend a few extra bucks. You won’t regret it and won’t even remember it after you pick it up

1ST Shoulder mount I got done was a 10 pt for $75.00 by JOEL STONE in Leeds....1977... Price him now !!!!!!

So anyone got any recommendations around central AL that have done good work for you?

Ron Bettendorf in Lamar county does exceptional work for $400. Less without a plaque.

Alan at Choccolocco Taxidermy in Lincoln/Talladega area is who I use. He is a top notch guy who turns out fantastic work. He may not be done overnight and it may not be "cheap" but it will be a true work of art.... AND he'll give each and every mount the same quality time and attention whether it's a little basket rack scrub buck or a 180in Buckmaster centerfold.

^^^THIS^^^

Thanks Mbrock and BCLC, I will definitely check both of those guys out

Ron Bettendorf is the real deal. Good folks

Sorghum Hollow Taxidermy and Processing is Ron's business.

Sorghum Hollow

Cheaper isn't always worse and expensive isn't always better. If you don't know anything about a taxidermist, go to his shop and look at the mounts in progress. Look at the eyes, mouth and how the antlers sit on the mount in particular, look at a picture of a live deer for reference, especially the eyes. I hate seeing a bug eyed deer mount. I see pictures of deer on here occasionally that IMHO shouldn't have been paid for. I have some mounts that were done in the late 70's that still look good, a guy named Ernie Render from Newton did a couple of them.

Brought To Life Taxidermy
Heflin Alabama
$355

This. Last one I had was $600. He’s in Gurley. Given his skill I would’ve paid him $1k.

I haven't shoulder mounted one in quite a few years but I want to say top notch work was worth $250 to $300. Some of these prices you fellas are speaking of are absurd.

Alan has mounted 3 for me and one for my dad. I won't take one to anyone else!!

How much have trucks increased in that time?

It is amazing that someone will pay thousands of dollars for hunting equipment and thousands more for an ATV and then say they don’t want to pay more than a couple of hundred dollars for something that will outlast all those other items and provide a memory for the rest of your life if it is quality work. Or you can go cheap and look at it forever thinking man I sure do with I had paid a little more for that mount.

Yep! My brother in law wouldn't come off an extra 150 to get a quality mount but on the way home from looking at the place he stopped and bought 300 bucks of ammo to blow up a wild pigs butt.

Bill Jones does them for $280. You won't have much detail, but eyes, nose and ears are fine. Don't let anyone tell you different. 3342279933

x2
He has mounted 2 for me

I was given Bill Jones number by Mike from Bucksters in Montgomery, was planning on giving him a call as well.

Clear creek taxidermy in jasper. Randy does awesome work and I think he is 375$

Artistic Whitetails near West Blocton on Hwy 5 if you don't mind the wait for better detail. Ride by there around Christmas and see all the mounts and antlers you will see why you got to wait. I would pay a little more if you don't get many big ones.

I don't.

Anyone had any work done by Tim Robertson at Still Life Taxidermy?

Ed Smith $275 in Moulton

Daniel Williams. I think it is ceadar ridge whitetail taxidermy. He is in cullman, and does a great job.

if you want cheap, do a euro skull mount yourself - Google/YouTube it ... but for a shoulder mount, you need to be willing to pay $300-500 depending on what you want ...

My first mount was done by Joel in '85 for $150. It costs a little more these days.

Ken James Taxidermy in Wellington on Hwy 431 is doing my 2nd mount now. He does quality mounts starting at 350. I'll post pictures when I pick mine up.