So I killed my first deer in early January 2019 (post is here somewhere). Being that it was a decent deer I asked my trusted guy who to send to so it could be mounted. He said he recommended this person. I took it to him and he took the cape/horns etc and $250 deposit. I’ve called him 3 times. Last year, February of this year and May of this year. In May he said he wrote my name down and would have it done in July. It’s September and I’m about to call again. We are coming up on 2 years. Is this normal? Should I ask for the deer back and try to have it mounted elsewhere? I won’t post the guy publicly because this could be normal, or there could be other circumstances that are making it slow. Please advise me. I’m in Alabaster if that makes a difference

Not normal. I’d call & email saying you want to know the status this week, and if no response, let the wolves have him.

If a man starts on it how long does it really take to finish from frozen to completed? I guess my convo with him will be based on this answer.

In my opinion, if it takes longer than 1 year, he is taking in more work than he can handle. Shouldn’t be 2 years behind.......unless there is a delay in tanning for some reason.

If his name is Wade....good luck. I had to threaten bodily harm to get my mount back after 2.5+ yrs of waiting. The double throat patch cape nowhere to be found (shocker) AND it wasn’t the form I chose, facing wrong direction and wrong pose. Saddest part of all of it was he blamed it all on his teenage son even though he was the one that not only took my deposit but helped me pick a form.

His name isn’t Wade. Thank goodness. He has done many quality mounts for my friend, he must be taking too much work on. At least that’s what I hope. If it takes 2 years he should just give me a round date. That’s fine I’m afraid he has lost it, lost power, etc. this one is special because it’s my first and I killed it with my dads gun who died in 98’. I made sure to use his gun for my first one and it was an 11 point.

Have you spoken with the "trusted" guy that referred you to this taxidermist? Sounds like he used him before and should be able to tell you how long his took.

I have And in his opinion it’s gone a bit too long. That’s what I’m asking what is normal. This doesn’t seem to be normal.

1 hr to skin off the head
2hrs to rough flesh
4 days in pickle and tan.
1hr final flesh
2 hrs to mount
1 hr finish work when dry

All of these time are high estimates but gives you an idea.

He's possibly overwhelmed by taking too much.

I waited close to 3 months one time. Thought I was impatient. My taxidermist doesn’t tan I’m sure because we get them back too quick but the work is good and the buck from 2014 still looks as good as the day I got him. Not trying to compare dry preserve to tan by no means but I’d have a very hard time waiting 1 year let alone 2. I tried a different guy on a turkey couple years ago and ended up telling him to shove it up his a$$ because it took too long. Later found out he’s a hack and no one recommends him. First double beard and harvested on public land so it was hard to lose my cool but cool was lost anyways. I’d say you’ve been pushed to the back burner or he’s been dabbling in something else and not finishing his work. I’m sure your head isn’t the only one that’s been delayed. Good luck getting it back any time soon but I wish you the best

There is no difference in quality of dry preserve vs tanned if done correctly. There is a misconception that tanning makes everything rat and bug proof which isn't true. A rat will eat anything! The main reason tanning works better in mounting is less shrinkage during the drying stage. This means less finish work and less chance of skin drumming. Tanning really only takes longer if its sent out to tan which can take up to 6 months or more during peak season. Most taxidermist that send out do it for the simple fact that it's almost ready to mount when it gets back.

PM to you

I just got one back. Took 20 months. He is swamped all the time.

Tanning will last longer than dry preserve. I know I had some ducks done and the taxidermist had some issues getting forms due to COVID. I would assume that he would’ve already had your form but you never know

I'm in the same boat. Dropped deer off first of Feb 2019. Told 10 months. Feb 2020 - told July. July told 1 more month. that was 6 or 7 weeks ago. Hunting Buddy that used same Taxi previously was told 12 mo on his and got it back in 16.

6 months and 8 months for my last two.

Tanning is only an advantage in an uncontrolled climate. Like hunting camp or barn where moisture and temps go up and down. In a climate controlled home away from fluorescent lights they will last the same if mounted correctly. I just prefer the tanning due to less shrinkage when I mount it. The Dry preserve vs tanning has always been the biggest debate in this industry.

Last one was six months. Previous was 2 years.

Granted you seem to have much more experience on the topic than I. But in my experience, from the 30+ mounts I have hanging in my home, dry preserve does not last as well as tanning. As of about 5 yrs ago, if a taxi isnt tanning, he isnt getting my business.

To the OP, a year is about the standard in south AL. Give or take a couple months.

There's a big time misconception among some taxidermist about what dry preserve actually is. Old school taxidermist use borax which is an ingredient in some dry preservatives but has no value other than helping it dry and some bug proofing. Any bird you have done will be done with borax by just about anybody you take it too. Theres so many different easy one step tans offered these days it makes no sense to dry preserve anymore.