Taxidermist recommendations?

[dmac]

Any recommendations for a taxidermist in or near Rochester for mounting moose head? THought some of you fisherman might also be hunters.

[Rugbyguy]

On that same thought, does anyone have recommendations for someone that does whitetails and/or waterfowl. Doesn't have to be the same person for each.

[hanson]

Rugbyguy-

If you don't mind driving up to the Cities, I have a relative of mine that does phenomenal work for everything. I think his deer and ducks are his best work but his fish are right up there as well.

I've got some photos around of a Bufflehead, Wood Duck pair, Gadwall drake, and Goldeneye pair. I should be getting my drake Pintail back any day now.

I've got Crappie photos, Bluegill photos, and Pike photos for fish.

I don't have any photos of big game but they are really great as well.

[muskiehunter369]

i got my 156 5/8 inch buck back from larrys taxidermy and its looks great. he also dose all fish,all birds, turkeys,fox,all small game. i dont know if he dose moose but he did a hippo once, so i bet he will do a moose.hes in stewertville. He has a website if you search on it.

Edited by Admin - No unauthorized links please

[hector00]

Smitty's taxidermy right outside of Rochester does the best head mounts out of anyone I have ever seen. He does anything from deer to african mounts. Full body or head mounts he does a hell of a job.

[crazyice]

I can second the vote for Larry, I have several fish on the wall done by him and they all look great.

[dmac]

THanks gang. I found Larry's Taxidermy website but email link was broken. Smitty's is in the yellow pages. I did call Gulden today. Will check these others out.

[DWestphal]

I have two roosters on the wall now, one from Larry and one from Gulden and Gulden will now do all of my birds. FANTASTIC work! If I'm looking for a big game head, then I'm going to Rutz (forget his first name). He lives pretty close to Lake City. All he does now is big game and he doesn't take in a ton of mounts so that he's overwhelmed and your waiting years to get your head back. I've seen some deer and turkeys done by Gulden and wouldn't complain about his work on those either. But those are the 2 that I go for for animals/birds.

[Swamprat72]

Try 4 seasons taxidermy. If you want to see examples of his work the new Gander store has his mounts on display. Smitty's might do good work, but he hasn't done my buddy's bass yet and he's had it for over 3 years now.

[crazyice]

That does seem to be a problem with the good ones, they are swamped to the gills! But I would rather wait a while for my trophy than have a crappy mount.

[Jim W]

Definitely research options. Here is the best I know. Tom's Taxidermy in Clarksgrove. Short drive to see a very impressive show room with very many options for your mount.

Fall is real near!!!!!!

Jim W

[dmac]

OK. I will check out 4 Seasons at Gander.

If someone can get ahold of better identification for "Rutz near Lake City" I would be interested there as well. Meanwhile I have at least talked with Gulden. Would like to get at least one other bid on a moose head though. They are expensive!

[Dan Thiem]

I think his first name is Roger and I also think he lives on Cty. 2. North of Hwy. 60 on the right hand side of the road.

[sidecar pan fishin man]

3 years wait for a bass.. I don't think so....most taxidermists like smitty in the area are 9 months to 2 years at most behind. Being a taxidermist who specializes in fish, I can tell you talking to many of my fellow taxidermists from the area. You should tell your buddy to say something, I think smitty might have forgotten the order and it wasn't returned from the taxidermist it was sent too from smitty. Just my opinion. Troy Pike

[SCORE]

Go to Gulden's. I have three deer done by him. He is located out by Marion Road/Hwy52. He is very detailed and a great guy. I would recommend him hands down. I h ave been to a few different places and this guy by far does the best work.

A second choice would be Tom's Taxidermy in Clark's Grove west of Owatonna.

[hoggs222]

What do you guys think that the average cost for a 900 lb bull moose with a 35" inside spread would run for a shoulder mount?

[crazyice]

Just a guess, but I would think $750 and on up?? I know they are not cheap, I priced out a deer and that was like $550 for a decent one.

[Antler_Creek_Taxidermy]

You can expect to pay anywhere from $750-$1000(atleast in my area). I personally charge $850, Remember you ussually pay for what you get. Check around and see whos work you like best, then find out cost after.

3 years for a bass, WOW!

[Swamprat72]

I don't think he could have forgotten about it. Smitty's next door neighbor is my buddy's cousin that had the deer with him and they were both over there quite often.