Why take the time to choose a taxidermist?

It is important to view the mounts before leaving your trophy with any taxidermist. Below are a few things to look for while choosing a taxidermist for Mammal Mounts, but many of the suggestions can be applied to all mounts.

>  Look into the eyes of the mounts. What do you see? Are they realistic or bulging and unevenly spaced? Are they sunken in, or, do they just not "look right"?

>  Mammal noses are generally shiny and wet. Does the nose appear faded, brownish, or cracked? If so, then the mount has not received appropriate care.

>  Run your hand along the front section of the mounts' neck from the throat patch down. A good mount will show well-defined muscles but should be smooth and unwrinkled to the touch.

>  Run your hand down the back of the neck where the cape is normally sewn closed. You will probably feel the seam, but should not feel any wrinkles or lumps. These will make the deer appear to have a "mane" and could result in a shorter life for your mount. Because Trophies Taxidermy does not use this technique, seam stitching down the back of your mount is a thing of the past.

>  Can you see eyelashes and whiskers? If not, this may be a sign of low quality tanning or hasty preparation which may remove them.

>  Is the mouth "smiling"? The mouth is nearly as important as the eyes and you don't want your "smiling" mount as a conversation piece. The lips should be tucked into the seam of the mouth with no visible stitches. The lips should appear soft and moist, and be dark brown or blackish in color.

>  What method of tanning is used or is the skin dry preserved? Dry preserved skins tend to crack and do not last as long as tanned skins. The end result will be obvious between these two techniques.

>  What is the cost? Just like electronics, you get what you pay for. Chances are, a taxidermist charging a little more will be well worth the price in the long run.

>  How long before my mount is completed? Six months is a quick turnaround for a normal shoulder-type mount. Good taxidermists are often backed up for eight months, a year, sometimes more. Keep in mind that most of the gameheads a taxidermist takes in are received in a very short period of time. You will not be the only hunter waiting on a completed mount. Give your taxidermist the time it takes to complete the quality of work you expect.