Understanding Taxidermy and Getting Value
It is a consistent pattern that most folks are all too eager to book their hunt and buy the best rifle and whatever other gear and equipment is needed in anticipation of a great hunting experience. However, by the time the hunt is over, and they return home, the available funds are diminished — and in many cases that means they are looking for the cheapest way to mount their animal.
The Tragedy of Cheap Taxidermy
This is tragic because so much has been invested in the hunt, in both time and money, and the mounted animal is something you live with, essentially, for rest of your life. I have learned the hard way that cheap is never a good value. We are doing a million-dollar renovation on our property, and on several fronts (i.e. roofing, fencing, paving, etc.) we got back multiple bids. Looking at those bids we thought we were comparing apples to apples, but upon further investigation, we found out there was a huge discrepancy in the quality of the materials used and the in-depth work the bidder was committing to.
The Lure of a Good Deal
In many cases, the low bids, although they sounded like a great deal, were superficial, and upon further investigation, the renovations would likely be broken or needing repair within a matter of years. We also discovered, by doing the numbers, it is far better to pay for the best with a 20-year guarantee rather than trying to find a cheaper way out.
Taxidermy Costs
I wish folks could understand this concept when it comes to taxidermy because so much of taxidermy is “under the skin.” What is happening even during the tanning process can be detrimental to your trophy. (I know some garage taxidermist are tanning their own skins in a bucket, and others who buy the cheapest materials available — not good ideas.)
Cheap vs. Professional Taxidermy
I fully get that it can be difficult for people to understand the difference between cheap and professional taxidermy, but a little extra costs to ensure quality materials and craftsmanship makes all the difference. Recently, I had one very wealthy man say to me, “Mike, a mount is a mount is a mount.” Not only was I personally offended, but it is absolutely not true. That is like saying a house is a house is a house or a dinner is a dinner is a dinner and so on. All of those things have a huge difference in terms of value and money spent.
The Takeaway
While you may save a few bucks, I believe going with a quality taxidermist is a worthy investment and one that should be taken into consideration prior to any hunt. Your animal deserves the best, as do you. It is a piece of your home and something you want to look at with fond memories for years to come.