Bartering with a taxidermist

[radke22]

I know that I can't just outright sell fish to a taxidermist, but If I were to trade a 19" brook trout for his service's say, mount one of my pheasants, he could sell the trout mount for 190+ dollars and we'd both be happy. Has anyone ever herd of somone doing this, or is it a bad idea?

[barebackjack]

Just a guess but I wouldnt think that they would give you what the animal is worth in terms of what you paid and what they will pay. I would call and ask if it is in your interest or call around to resort bars and find someone to buy it that way.

[radke22]

Maybe I made it confusing; I have a pheasant I want mounted and thought the taxidermist would want to take the trout, mount it and sell it for a profit, while mounting my phesant for me personally. Are you suggesting getting the trout mounted than selling it to a local bar?

[30 inch eyes]

I'd be real surprised if many or any will take you up on this offer. It's just not worth their time to try and sell it. You will probably not get it done that way from a very good taxidermist, so you might not like the way your pheasant turns out. (I use to do taxidermy for 7 years and wouldn't have done this, hopefully for your sake, this is just my opinion)

[jigginjim]

Many guys are not interested in paying a fish they haven't caught themselves. If I mount the fish the way I like, Doesn't mean the next guy is going to like it and pay me for it. Mounting a fish is more work than the pheasant.

I'm offering 50% discount on In-fisherman Master Anlger Award size fish caught during my guide trips. These are traditional mounts not replicas.

[huntingmaxima]

Just food for thought. I was in the game farm biz for 23 yrs and I sold most of the waterfowl to Cabelas that you see in Owatonna. I raised all the canvasbacks that you see hanging from the ceiling. I know for a fact that you can sell waterfowl if you have the license and if you raised them. I think you can sell some of the stuff you get in the field. If you go to the taxidermy network on the internet you will for sure get your answer. These taxidermist will do alot of bartering.

[icehousebob]

Having someone else's fish on the wall just seems wrong. Like having someone else's bowling trophy on your shelf. Or tacking a pair of undies on the dormroom wall that you didn't earn in fair combat.

[Walleye Guy]

Taxidermists get more "free" animals than they need. Believe it or not there are many mounts that are never picked up for one reason or another. I don't think you will find too many taxidermists interested in trading.

[shooterIII]

If the trout is a real trophy, have it mounted and sell it on HSOList and use the money to mount the phesant.