Who is your preferred taxidermist?

It depends on where I am at when I need one.

Most of my mounts African included have been done by Precision Taxidermy in Grand Junction, Colorado. I have also had a couple done by Weller's Wildlife Studio down in Tucson, Arizona.

Both have done outstanding work.
 
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I've used @Animal Artistry in Reno, NV for the last 3 years and have the heads from my latest safari there now. They do excellent work and deliver and install if you desire. I had them install my buff because it was too big and heavy for me. They say 90 days and that holds pretty true. Last year it took longer because they were preparing for the SCI show.
 
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I've used @Animal Artistry in Reno, NV for the last 3 years and have the heads from my latest safari there now. They do excellent work and deliver and install if you desire. I had them install my buff because it was too big and heavy for me. They say 90 days and that holds pretty true. Last year it took longer because they were preparing for the SCI show.

How are they on returning phone calls, emails and delivering on promises and hitting delivery quotes?
 
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What was your turn around time on your taxidermy?

Hi
First was from an Africa Safari.
Took nine months to get my trophies to Dennis and then about five months to get it to me(2014-2015).
Second was a Red Stag from New Zealand. I brought it back with me on the flight back from NZ. Shipped it to Dennis and got it back from Dennis in a little less than nine months(2017). The tanner was about three months on this one?

Tom
 
On the time frames you have to figure in how long that the taxidermist will hold onto your capes until they have enough of a shipment. Yours usually are not the only ones that he will ship at one time. Then how long are they going to sit at the tannery before they start to work on them.

Then there are the number of people in the shop that are working on projects. A one or two man shop is going to take longer than a 10 man shop.
 
I’ve used Kanati elite taxidermy in Pennsylvania for My first African Safari with excellent results. They also have done my red stag and fallow deer from New Zealand as well as whitetail deer for me. They currently have my leopard and 7 other plains games they are mounting. I’ve also used @gizmo for my African Safari from 2016 with very good results. Communication with Erick is outstanding, I should note I pay Kanati extra for their 90 day service. Kanati also delivers and install if you request it.
 
Wildlife Creations Taxidermy, Bellvue Colorado

Pat Wensman, it's a one man shop. Fast turn around, no. Great work yes!
 
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Hi
First was from an Africa Safari.
Took nine months to get my trophies to Dennis and then about five months to get it to me(2014-2015).
Second was a Red Stag from New Zealand. I brought it back with me on the flight back from NZ. Shipped it to Dennis and got it back from Dennis in a little less than nine months(2017). The tanner was about three months on this one?

Tom
Went back and looked at the calendar got finished photos of the stag at about seven and a half months and picked it up in Denver eight months.
 
I normally use Jim Guist in Springfield, MO. He was the in-house guy for Johnny Morris at Bass Pro for years and then opened his own shop, everything he has done for me is fantastic. I have also used @gizmo, his work is great and he is clearly easy to get in touch with, you can find him here most days.

I will say, I am not really a connoisseur of fine taxidermy, I just don't have the eye for it like some. I want trophies done well, and in a way the will hold up over time, but the difference between very good and outstanding will mostly likely go unnoticed by me.
 
How are they on returning phone calls, emails and delivering on promises and hitting delivery quotes?

I have had good luck with them. When I call I usually get a return call the same day or next day. I do most of my specs for poses by phone and they come back just as I requested. If I want something special I go into the shop (an hour away) and discuss it with Stewart Brown, the manager. They quote me a price when we discuss poses, mounts, etc. and they hold to it except for special requests, repairs to cape or horns, etc. How soon I get my trophies depends a lot on how busy Karoo in Africa is for dip and pack. I hunted in April, they usually shipped in July or August, Animal Artistry got them in September and I got them in January or February.
 
Good replies guys

Communication and transparency of delivery dates are going to be paramount in my future taxidermy needs.
When Im told pictures will be emailed in a week...I expect those pictures to be delivered
When Im told a piece will be done before Christmas...I expect that promis to be solid.
 
If you are in or near Texas, I have had great experience with Conroe Taxidermy just north of Houston. They have done all three of my African hunts and have relatively quick turnaround and will deliver and install the mounts for a modest fee.
 
Robert Utne, Wild Images in Motion. Local enough to me that I get great service and can go check on stuff if I want. And he is a true artist who does taxidermy. This is very important.
 
2nd vote for Conroe Taxidermy for quality work on a timely basis. If you have time then Phil Soucy Taxidermy is the best cat guy in the world! And is a magician for bringing his animals to life.
 
Good replies guys

Communication and transparency of delivery dates are going to be paramount in my future taxidermy needs.
When Im told pictures will be emailed in a week...I expect those pictures to be delivered
When Im told a piece will be done before Christmas...I expect that promis to be solid.
Id look at Kanati. You also have the 90 day option
 

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