shoulder mount renew?

[snagfinder]

I have to beautiful 10 point shoulder mounts,

one was my dads one was my grandpas. I should say

beautiful racks.Mounts are now 25-35 years old.

Anybody know if its cheaper to bring in a cape and

have them redone since the horns are clean and eyes are set,

or will a new form be required so it will still be $650.

anyway like shooting a new one ?

[slimngrizzly]

The eyes and anatomy are so much better on newer forms you would regret not doing it! Pay the money and do it right.

[hockeybc69]

You dont need to pay $650 for a new mount first off.

The guy I use in Howard Lake is $350.

So you can get two done for the price of one almost.

I would do a full new mount as well, for reasons Slimn mentioned.

[InTheNorthwoods]

He'll have the cost of capes, but I agree, $650 is steep per animal (*edit - for a simple shoulder mount). I've seen very nice work for under $500. A cape is a "wild card", and your cost will vary depending on what you are looking for (or, if you can get your own).

(*edit - you also get what you pay for, and price is usually not at the top of my priority list when determining who to have do the taxi work. I just know you can get nice work for less than $650 per. However, there are some VERY GOOD taxidermists who would be worth price on a special animal.)

[DaveT]

If you care enough to get them redone you should care enough to have them done well. My guy is in that ($650.00) price range and his mounts are fantastic compared to most I've seen. I've seen misplaced ears, bulgy eyes, puttied nostrils, 200 pound bucks mounted on tiny forms, etc. Well worth the extra money for a quality product IMO.

[DonBo]

Cost may be even more if the taxi has to come up with a cape. It will definitely be cheaper, no matter who you bring it to, if you supply the cape.

[Greybeard53]

Gets brought up alot on this sight, but always check out the taxidermists work before you commit (and in this case deer heads specifically). As mentioned there is a wide price range of prices. I've seen incredible work for $350 and garbage for $750 up and vice versa.

Find the person that does the quality of work you want, then look at price.

As DonBo mentioned, providing your own cape will save up quite a bit.

[DaveT]

Another option would be to have him do a European skull mount. Taxidermists throw out a hundred skulls or more every year. They can attach your skull plate to a new skull and bondo it up so you'd never be able to tell. This might only run you $125.00 each and you'd end up with two cool reminders of your family and a little more wall space.

[mnguy152]

check out Hoof in lester prairie he does good work. Plus what I would do is wait until after hunting season and get a cape or 2 from you and your buddies buck this year be cheaper in the long run.