2024 Deer Season Stories/Pics/Etc.

[BearSitsInTheWoods]

I got sticker shock this afternoon when I found out what my preferred taxidermist is charging this year. He’s up $175 (21%) from what he charged in 2020…which given the economy and the way other things have gone up probably isn’t bad, but the price kind of made me rethink whether I really want to shoulder mount him or not.

Before anyone starts suggesting cheaper taxidermists, I’ve had 15+/- bucks mounted over the last 35 years, and I know what decent, good, and great taxidermy work looks like. All taxidermists aren’t created equal. There are at least a couple guys locally that charge less, and I might use them if I kill a decent deer east TX. However, there’s no way I’d let them mount an Oklahoma buck that’s going to be on the wall beside my 2004 and 2020 bucks done by world class taxidermists.

Ok, I got that off my chest, and I’m just going to have to grin and grit my teeth as I pay the guy. Once it’s done and on the wall, I probably won’t think about it again.

Guy I use is one of the best in the nation wins all kinds of ribbons. He will also keep your mount longer than he should with no communication taking it to shows. If you’re that into taxidermy you’ve probably heard of him.
With that buck though I don’t know why you wouldn’t do the euro yourself! All kidding aside that is a freak show!

 

[BearSitsInTheWoods]

I like to leave the nice bucks for breeding the does and harvest the goofy fork horns.

Right….

 

[dennishoddy]

I'm one that likes to take the big buck in late rut after given the chance to spread his genes. Our doe to buck ratio is somewhere around 45 does to every buck so they don't fight much for a hot doe.
Consequently, the racks aren't broken like areas with a more favorable buck to doe ratio.

 

[Okie4570]

Guy I use is one of the best in the nation wins all kinds of ribbons. He will also keep your mount longer than he should with no communication taking it to shows. If you’re that into taxidermy you’ve probably heard of him.
With that buck though I don’t know why you wouldn’t do the euro yourself! All kidding aside that is a freak show!

Same here, drop mine off in November usually and get it back the next Sept-November. Picking up last year's buck tomorrow actually.

 

[retrieverman]

Same here, drop mine off in November usually and get it back the next Sept-November. Picking up last year's buck tomorrow actually.

The guy I use tells you upfront it’ll be a year, but he usually gets it ready in 11 months. I appreciate the honesty after my 2012 debacle with another taxidermist up the road.
The guy from 2012 is/was part of Closing the Distance TV hunting show and a truly world class taxidermist, and I’d love to use him again if he wasn’t such a lying sack of chit.

 

[Okie4570]

The guy I use tells you upfront it’ll be a year, but he usually gets it ready in 11 months. I appreciate the honesty after my 2012 debacle with another taxidermist up the road.
The guy from 2012 is/was part of Closing the Distance TV hunting show and a truly world class taxidermist, and I’d love to use him again if he wasn’t such a lying sack of chit.

Yes this guy lives in St. Louis. Comes up for a couple of weeks in November to hunt then takes back anything I send with him, then he brings it back the next fall.

 

[Snattlerake]

 

[GnometownHero]

I prefer boilèd skull mount if it is a cool rack. Finding someone who can do flesh eating insect skull cleaning is a plus

 

[Master Carper]

I prefer boilèd skull mount if it is a cool rack. Finding someone who can do flesh eating insect skull cleaning is a plus

We used to put skulls on a big fire ant mound, and those little suckers would NEVER leave anything attached to any part of it! Best "skull cleaners" I have ever seen!

 

[GnometownHero]

We used to put skulls on a big fire ant mound, and those little suckers would NEVER leave anything attached to any part of it! Best "skull cleaners" I have ever seen!

I have cleaned a beaver skull by leaving it on a big red ant den before. It went from being skanky rotten to white a a couple of months