Deer Shoulder Mount Cost-This is How Much You Should be Paying

Before you send your freshly harvested buck to the taxidermy, you want to be sure you are getting the best bang for your buck! (No pun intended).

But with taxidermy shoulder mount prices flying all over the board from 300 to upwards of 800, it can be challenging to decide where to entrust your trophy and be confident you are getting the best job possible. But how do you know you are not getting a hack job? I will clear it all up for you in the paragraph below.

400-700 dollars is how much a quality deer shoulder mount job will cost on average. Be careful if they charge any less than this, as the taxidermist is probably cutting corners to make a profit. A higher price means that the taxidermist knows that they are good, thus confidently charging a heftier price tag. At the same time, that doesn’t necessarily mean a higher price tag is always better. Make sure to look at some examples of the taxidermist’s work which should be on display at the place of business, and ask yourself, “Would I spend X number of dollars for this level of workmanship? You get what you pay for when it comes to taxidermy jobs. But as a general rule of thumb, if you are spending between 400-700, you will be getting a quality piece of craftsmanship that showcases your buck as it deserves for decades to come.

Read on for more in-depth information on choosing the taxidermist that will do your buck justice while knowing you are paying the right price.

Choosing the Best Taxidermist

As mentioned above, if you are spending between 400-700 dollars, you should be getting a quality mount to hang over the mantle. But there are some things to keep in mind when choosing a taxidermist to entrust your harvest too.

1. DON’T Pay Less Than $400 – If you spend less than $400, I can almost guarantee you will not get the deer mount you were envisioning. Think cheap glass eyes with a sharpie marker for the pupils, wrinkled nose, and floppy ears. These are all things you can expect if you pay this low for a taxidermy job.
2. Price Does NOT Always Reflect Quality – The price does not always reflect the quality, for example, an experienced taxidermist could charge as little as 425 for great work, but it can also go the opposite direction. So before making a decision. Look at their previous work to decide if they are actually good, or if they are just in it for the money.

How Long Does a Deer Shoulder Mount Last?

A lifetime should be expected with today’s materials and chemicals used for the taxidermy job.

But the lifetime of your mount can vary greatly depending on many factors. Such as…

1. Bad Workmanship – One of the most obvious reasons for a short-lived mount is that the taxidermist could have done and terrible job. That is why it is so important to follow the guidelines above to ensure you will be getting a quality mount that will be passed down to the next generation.
2. Bad Upkeep – If you want your deer mount to last you have to give it some TLC from time to time to keep it in tip-top condition. Give it a dusting every few months and make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also in about 10 years, or if you notice signs of damage, it might be wise to take your shoulder mount to taxidermy for some professional upkeep that will boost its years significantly.
3. Unprotected Storage – If your deer shoulder mount is laying on the floor of an un-airconditioned storage container, don’t expect good things to happen. Heat can build up in the storage during the summer months that will melt the glue and separate the skin from the shoulder mount. Moister can also wreak havoc on your prized deer head, causing mold to grow on it and a host of other damaging effects. Even bugs pose a threat, as they can eat at the trophy till it is ratted up and falls apart. So do yourself a favor and store or hang your deer mount in a location that is dry, out of sunlight, air-conditioned, and is protected by some sort of bug control.

Here is a video on the upkeep of your deer mount from Cabelas.

Deer Shoulder Mount Turnaround Time.

If you want the job done right, don’t expect to get your deer back for 10-12 months. Yes, that’s a tough fact to accept but that is the way it goes when it comes to getting quality work.

Now that does not mean it is always going to take that long. And there all multiple factors that can affect this. Some taxidermists are more backed up than others, as well as some are faster than others. Just be leary of a taxidermist that says they can get it done in 1-4 months as this is very abnormal and probably means they will not do honest work that your 12 point buck deserves.

Recap-

• A quality deer mount on average will run you about $400-$700. Be extra careful if they charge any less than this.
• Look at the taxidermist’s previous work and decide for yourself, “Are they actually good at what they do?”.
• Deer mounts should last a lifetime if taken care of properly and kept out of damaging conditions such as moisture and heat.
• It can take 10-12 months for your mount to be completed. But these wait times can change depending on how busy the taxidermist is. As well as if they take their time to do quality work or if they rush it leaving you with a hack-job.

Conclusion

I hope we have given you the confidence you need to make a well-informed and wise decision on where to send your deer to be mounted at a price you believe is fair. The goal is not to pay the lowest price, it is to get the job done right. Thank you for reading and hope to see you again.