Longest Wait???

Let me tell you boys a story of a taxidermist that had a head of my cousins for almost 4 years.
My little cousin shot a real nice buck about 6 years ago and he checked around and found a husband and wife team that had a fairly good reputation in the taxidermy business. So he loaded it up and took it in and after 1 year he called them and their little boy told them they were not home and didn't know when they would be home and the phone calls consisted of that for almost another 6 months. So finally he caught one of them on the phone after calling on a pay phone because after they would see his name on the caller id they wouldn't answer the phone. The lady on the phone apologized and apologized but said that her and her husband were getting a divorce and the lawyers hadn't decided how to split up the business. She assured him that just as soon as they found that out one of them would get right on it and get it finished up. So after another 6 months (2 years now) he started back with the phone call and nothing the phone had been disconnected and the people were no where to be found. So he went and sat outside there house and waited for one of them to get home and finally on the third time driving to their home the husband finally showed refused to let him look at his deer and would not give it back because the court said that deer was to be done by his wife. So this whole mess is going on for almost 4 years now. So he went and got a lawyer and served the lady with papers and after being escorted by a county sheriff he was allowed to go in the house and go through the freezer and get his head back. The women was not around when they picked it up and the husband told my cousin that she was planning to sell it. He told him that after 4 years she could say that the deer was unclaimed and sell it as her own property. So don't let it get out of hand like this did. I think he said that deer cost almost $1800 to get it back and remounted.
 
Had to wait 10 months on a bear rug done in Canada. Would have been 9 months but he shipped it to the wrong customs office and then it went back to Canada and then...you get the idea. Most of my deer are done in 4 to 5 months.
 
Turn around time and cost are a couple of the reasons Headgear and I learned to mount our own deer.

After doing a few of our own I would have to say that there are some things that eat up some time. One being that if a taxidermist has their hides professionally tanned you might be at the bottom end of a long list of other customers. We have had to wait as long as 6 months to get hides back from the Tanner due to a late bow season kill. I would say that if you get a mount back from a quality taxidermist within a year then count your blessings.
 
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I had a couple deer done about 15-20 years ago and both took right at a year. It was my understanding at that time a year or more was normal for a quality tanning job and a good taxidermist that did not have to look for work. At that time I seen some that tanned their own capes and were done in a few months. But what I seen made me glad I waited.
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Those deer look real nice Rackaddict!!
Did you take a class or just experiment and if any of you guys could help me out I would like to find a class or a guy that could teach me to do my own deer heads. I really don't have time or the use of taking a whole taxidermy class but I would pay good money to have someone teach me to do just the deer shoulder mounts. Thanks
 
Thanks RTI, We ordered a video tape from McKenzie Taxidermy Supply and a book that they offered as well. I can't remember the names of either one but the tape was the most helpful. We bought a couple of tanned hides from a local taxidermist that he had as extras for our "trial" mount and did a fair job. After doing a dozen or so with some trial and error, we have gotten to a place that we are starting to be a bit more satisfied with our work. Needless to say, you see things on each one that you wish you would have done better but that's part of the process. You will need a few supplies to get started but obviously not the amount that a taxidermy business does. I would suggest going to the McKenzie web site and sign up to get a free catalog to see what they offer. They also have some tech tips online that can be helpful.
 
The reason I ask is that I've been waiting 2.5 years and counting!!! I can never catch the SOB at home, and when I can, I always get a different excuse as to why it is not done(i.e - I'm working overtime at my real job, I've been injured at work, I'm building a new house, blahblahblah.) I'm starting to get real pissed and am not sure of the best way to approach the situation w/o blowing up on him. Any suggestions????
 
I'd ask to see your antlers to make sure he still has them. If you gave him a deposit demand it back, get your stuff and take it to a lagitimate taxidermist. If he refuses to refund your money, take your stuff and count your blessings that you still have the antlers. Good luck.
 
I'd for sure get my antlers back, or his next excuse for not getting it done would be the thumpin' I put on him. You can always get another cape to mount it on if yours is "not available" for whatever reason. Good Luck!
 
i normally get mine back 3-4 months and sometimes if i get it to the guy by thanksgiving he have it back by christmas and he does real good work for 275.00 if you would like to get in touch with him his number is in the book under chuck keltner in van meter iowa and tell him joe meier told you to call
 
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