Taxidermist Nightmare - need serious advice

[daltrix99]

Shot a bear in fall of 2019 and dropped it off to a local taxidermist that was well recommended at the time. Many people on this site know who he is, but I’m not going to disclose that information publicly.

For the first two years he said he was way behind, but the hide was fine. For the last eight months or so, that tune has changed. The situation now is bizarre. He regularly responds to my calls and texts, but his communication is erratic and often non-sensical. Unfortunately, I have some reason to believe from his texts that he is in some kind of an in-patient medical situation.

He still has my bear hide, and yes I know where he lives. I’ve tried going there and when I have, no one is there. I have sympathy for whatever it is he has been going through. I just want my bear hide back.

Question for everyone. Other than than continuing to talk with him and go to his shop, what else can I do? Can the sheriff department help me? A lawyer?

Thanks all.

 

[Jamen]

I hope you get it back! I had an employee shoot their first ever blue goose and it was banded even! They took it to a well known taxidermist and he's never heard from him again unfortunately. I will talk with him and see what steps he tried to get it back.

 

[Dakotakid]

I would get the scoop from the locals.

I had ordered some new seats from a guy off Facebook, was in good communication with him and then he stopped, I sent a few more and family reported that he had medical issue. They sent the parts. Parts were great.

Sometimes life happens. Locals usually know more of what’s going on.

Maybe post up the city, and people can private message if they have info

 

[daltrix99]

I would get the scoop from the locals.

I had ordered some new seats from a guy off Facebook, was in good communication with him and then he stopped, I sent a few more and family reported that he had medical issue. They sent the parts. Parts were great.

Sometimes life happens. Locals usually know more of what’s going on.

Maybe post up the city, and people can private message if they have info

Thanks. It’s in SW Montana. I’ve talked to some locals, including some prominent hunting personalities. They are all familiar with the bad experiences people have been having the last year or so, but I haven’t heard any advice on how I can get my hide back. That’s why I’m thinking either cops or a lawyer at this point.

 

[Fatrack]

my advice; write that one off. I had to...

 

[TOGIE]

anyway to try to contact any family he has?

 

[SaskHunter]

I'm still waiting on my 2019 and 2020 bear hides that were supposed to be soft tanned. I check with the guy from time to time, I've been getting the "next month" answer for the past year. I consider them both a write-off.

As a reference, I received my soft tanned 2021 bear three weeks ago from a different guy whom I know is very busy.

 

[ccc23454]

I would call local warden.

 

[bigbuck247]

A game warden should be able to assist you more than any body else.

 

[SaskHunter]

I would call local warden.

Interesting and have never considered this. Hides, skulls, carcasses, are all controlled here. I don't necessarily think the CO's would do much about it though...

 

[Bambistew]

Call the sheriff and get an escort to retrieve your personal property.

Taxidermists are some of the biggest flakes in the business. Good luck hope you get it back. I've been burned a few times by taxidermists.

 

[TheTone]

Call the sheriff and get an escort to retrieve your personal property.

Taxidermists are some of the biggest flakes in the business. Good luck hope you get it back. I've been burned a few times by taxidermists.

Taxidermy and meat cutting attract some weird people. Guy near me had his shop burn down a few years ago. He was way way behind on stuff and claimed he was planning to quit and then poof. It was the second shop fire he had

 

[Jamen]

Taxidermy and meat cutting attract some weird people. Guy near me had his shop burn down a few years ago. He was way way behind on stuff and claimed he was planning to quit and then poof. It was the second shop fire he had

We butcher deer for people in the fall and I can agree with you that some meat cutters are weird ducks. The stories I hear from customers is absolutely crazy at what some of these people do and how they handle your game. People are blown away when they come into our place compared to what they have been taking their deer too.

People smoking cigarettes as they cut your meat up, no gloves, don't clean or sanitize anything. Blood and hair all over, steal meat. I've heard absolute horror stories.

 

[Hem]

Okay...no names.
What town does he/she operate out of?
Asking for a friend.

 

[EKYHunter]

Taxidermy and meat cutting attract some weird people. Guy near me had his shop burn down a few years ago. He was way way behind on stuff and claimed he was planning to quit and then poof. It was the second shop fire he had

Been more than a few millionaires do the same. Contacting the game warden is a great idea.

 

[rogerthat]

Yup still waiting on my first 12 lb walleye. Caught back in 05. 50 percent deposit. Taxidermist said “yup, not sure where that fish went”. That’s what I get for mounting a fish. Strictly catch and release for me since. We always jokingly said “well I guess he ate it”

 

[Hem]

Okay...no names.
What town does he/she operate out of?
Asking for a friend.

Actually, I am serious.

 

[Sask hunter]

I'm still waiting on my 2019 and 2020 bear hides that were supposed to be soft tanned. I check with the guy from time to time, I've been getting the "next month" answer for the past year. I consider them both a write-off.

As a reference, I received my soft tanned 2021 bear three weeks ago from a different guy whom I know is very busy.

Who are you waiting on the bear from?

 

[daltrix99]

Actually, I am serious.

Bozeman

 

[daltrix99]

Thanks all. I’ll be calling the local warden next week.