FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 For shoulder/wall pedestal/floor pedestal mounts, you can expect to receive a phone call notifying you of completion within 12-14 months. This is not a guarantee but a general estimate. Your mount is only considered “in progress” AFTER your initial deposit has been paid. Mounts with no deposit are not started, tanned or mounted. If no deposit is paid within 30 days of drop off you will be asked to collect your animal until a payment can be made as freezer space is very limited. Some large species will require immediate pick up due to space restrictions. European mounts are typically completed within 12-16 weeks. We use a maceration method so completion times can vary based on species.

Perhaps the most common misconception in taxidermy is the process. It does not take 12-14 months to mount one animal. As a full time taxidermist, I mount hundreds of animals each year so the majority of the wait time is basically waiting for “your turn”. Your turn on my list is determined by the date your deposit is paid.  The basic generalized process for any mount is skinning, fleshing, tanning, hide shaving, repairs, thinning, skin preparation, mannikin preparation, then the actual mounting process. To be the most time efficient, these steps are often performed on several animals at one time. After mounting I allow each animal to dry no less than 12-14 days before starting finish work. Finish work is also done quantitatively. Any and all steps can be further prolonged if the animal was not properly handled, skinned, tanned or requires repairs. To summarize, SO many techniques and mediums are utilized to create the product you take home, I hope you’ll grant me the patience and freedom to create that art for you to appreciate for years to come. 

Absolutely. There isn’t much that can’t be shipped. While it is an additional charge, I have worked with several insured, reputable trophy haulers and shipping companies in the past. I am happy to accept properly tagged and prepared frozen animals, call me ahead of time and we can go over packing instructions as well as the best times to ship. 

I feasibly can not and will not answer requests for updates. My time is best spent working and not on the phone repeating that I have no new information. I contact my clients immediately when I complete their project. I am likely just as excited to share the mount with you as you are to receive it! Calling, texting or messaging for updates frequently will not change your place in line but it can definitely slow my progress. If specifications regarding your mount have changed or you need to update me with mount specs, I am happy to assist in those requests. I am easiest to reach by text but I always try to return phone calls by the end of the day if possible. 

 I absolutely love to create custom pieces that are tailored to your specific needs. Whether it's a one-of-a-kind mount or large trophy room design complete with installation, give me a call and we can discuss your ideas. 

For the majority of my work I use a professional tannery. I in-house tan all bobcats and other small mammals. 

Snakes, reptiles, fish and domestic pets. I don‘t take them in but I can refer you to someone who does.