Taxidermist recommendation?

[nate larson]

My brother shot an awesome Bufflehead over the weekend that he would like to get mounted. Does anyone have any Taxidermist recommendations? West Metro area would be preferred but I am sure he would be willing to drive a fair distance if he got a better deal.

[IRISHSOBNO4]

i've had work done at wilderness taxidermy in maple grove

the guy does a nice job on birds.

[Nova]

Jack Hanson does the absolute best on waterfowl. We have over 50 birds mounted in the family and he has done every one. I don't know where he falls on price compared to others, but you won't find a guy that does a better job and when you get a trophy bird you definately want the best job done on it. Hanson on this site is a relative so he can get you contact info and post a pic of the awesome buffy Jack did for him.

[Muthagoose]

Being a taxidermist myself Id have to say..

In the west metro.

Jim Manuel. East of St Boni.

Radde in Waconia.

Both do excellent work..

[woody1975]

Pat Melhop - In New Ulm, MN Does great work and has a lot of experience with ducks. I have seen a number of duck walls he has created. One was from an Alaska hunt - Had what was to look like a black wall with many shelves and each shelf had a different duck on it. Really cool.

He has done a deer and a wood duck for me and I am more than happy with both.

DL

[HUNTFISH69]

If your willing to drive up to St. Cloud I'd highly recomend flyway. www.flywaytaxidermy.com check it out he's awseome

[duckbuster]

Muthagoose, You gotta know that NO on and I mean NO one is better than Klaubo, (short for last name) but you know who I am talking about!!!!

[Huntin&Fishin]

Does any one have any contacts or prices, I just shot a nice hooded merganser.

[hanson]

You're going to be in the $150-200 range for a duck, depending on who you take it to.

I have my uncle Jack do all my taxidermy work for me. His work is really unbelievable. Check out some of the photos Nova has posted, I have a few up as well.

All I can say is check him out, check out other taxidermists work, and shop around. There are good taxidermists, and there are plenty of really bad ones out there. I hate to say it but just because someone is a taxidermist, it doesn't mean they can do the job right. Most are good at one thing, some aren't good at anything. Making your mount look natural and "alive" is what makes a great one and that takes years of experience and practice.

Congrats on the Hooded! We had a flock of 7 land in the dekes this weekend and it could have been pick out the nicest drake. We let them fly. Hindsight will kill a guy! Next day, my dad had a big 'ole drake hooded mergie buzz him about 15 yards out. I was yellin' drake hooded! Drake hooded! And he didn't take the shot. Ah well.

[SSSTaxidermy]

Does your uncle have a HSOforum? I would be interested on dropping off a couple I got this year.

email me his contact info if you would like

mason27 at gmail

[nate larson]

Hey Hanson,

I would be interested in your Uncle's contact info as well. Please email me at [email protected]

Thanks!

[Nova]

Jack has done everything in this picture

[Muthagoose]

Duck buster

If your talking about the Klabo up here, for someone who dont inject feet or use replacement heads he does nice work but certainly not the best.........

A few things to look for in quality work are..

Feet injection- nothings worse than shriveled up feet.

Sealed bill repairs- again after drying wrinkles which is why most use replacment heads. Generally most repairs show up in the years to follow...

Quality eye set thats set right.Cross eyed or flat headed bird mounts.With all the primo eyes on the market the old "type 1" aint cutting it any longer..

Natural positioning/balance not interpretation. For example the redhead above is not right< sorry but its far from correct...

There are some guys that will do a "good" mount for $150 but generally to get all the above listed done your looking at more than $200. You get what you pay for...

[duckbuster]

He is in my mind and I have yet to hear a bad word about him. Someone who has a 2-3 year wait is busy and there is a very good reason why.

What about Matty Yurnatich from Tower but now from Duluth I believe?

[Muthagoose]

Klobs slowed on intake, last we talked hes trying to retire.

3 years behind, 2nd generation,excellent commercial quality, long time local loyalty, yea he is behind. He's earned it

He sends appreciated referrals, then again hes the only guy I sell habitat to,, good neighbor.

My vote for best in birds is the guy over to Bovey, the last time I went to the Mn Taxi guild comp he took 1st with a swimming swan. I think bird monster mike took 2nd with a tight swimming ringneck. Haven't had time to go since.