Taxidermy “issue” how to handle?

[huntinsonovagun]

I shot my first pronghorn last Fall. Took it to get mounted and my taxi sends a photo of the hide he just got on the form today. My initial impression was it looked good, but something was just a tic off. Now, I’m not one to tell someone how to do their job, but I also will be living with this mount until I’m dead and gone. You tell me- am I being too picky? I feel like the area around the eyes just aren’t quite as full as they should be. Should I let it slide or say something about it? I am a detail-oriented person, but I’m also very reasonable. What/how should I say it? Maybe it’s just the photo?? Looking for advice ASAP, especially if you’re a taxidermist and how you would handle a customer coming to you with something like this. Is it too late to do/say anything? Again, if I thought I had the ability I would have done myself...I just don’t want to insult the guy but also want to be happy with it for years to come.

 

[huntinsonovagun]

Here are a few reference photos I found online as well

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

I guess the only thing you can do is be totally honest with him. It's your mount that you have to be good with, as it hangs on your wall in perpetuity. If he's a reasonable man, then he should be ok with you bringing up your concerns. He also might be able to tell you why it's impossible to make it look more full, like you're expecting.

 

[marksjeep]

Can you go to the shop and see it in person?

 

[ccc23454]

Looks like he's falling asleep...call him and say " hey from pictures looks like eyes are closing" or whatever your concerns are. Your paying for a service on a lifetime trophy decoration, be proud of it and make sure turns out way you expected it.

 

[huntinsonovagun]

Can you go to the shop and see it in person?

Yes, I could

 

[Carnage2011]

Get it done correctly before it comes home. You have to look at it for the rest of your life. I’m really picky when it comes to taxidermy work and I’m honest with my taxi when he does things for me. Don’t be bashful about it, just voice your concerns.

 

[huntinsonovagun]

Get it done correctly before it comes home. You have to look at it for the rest of your life. I’m really picky when it comes to taxidermy work and I’m honest with my taxi when he does things for me. Don’t be bashful about it, just voice your concerns.

Thanks for this. I needed to hear it. So it’s not “too late” to correct this? I’m not being too picky for a $750 mount, am I?

 

[Dave N]

$750 for a speed goat mount? Damn, I might be old but I think that's pretty steep. Forgive me if that's not out of line. Just can't see it being so high.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Not to picky but looks like he's also taking a picture slightly above him. I mean in the slightest. Could throw a guy off but to answer your question. If your not happy let him know ain't no sense in making more work in the future. Fresh mounts are easier to hydrate and tweak vs some 10 year old.

Looks like a sweet mount

 

[huntinsonovagun]

$750 for a speed goat mount? Damn, I might be old but I think that's pretty steep. Forgive me if that's not out of line. Just can't see it being so high.

Actually I think it was $700. $650 for regular shoulder and another $50 for wall ped.

 

[Carnage2011]

Thanks for this. I needed to hear it. So it’s not “too late” to correct this? I’m not being too picky for a $750 mount, am I?

It’s your money. Make sure it’s done correctly. It’s much easier to fix right now than it will be in a couple years.

 

[leadpillproductions]

$750 for a speed goat mount? Damn, I might be old but I think that's pretty steep. Forgive me if that's not out of line. Just can't see it being so high.

Geez here in Canada its 1300 cnd. and yes he looks sleepy id say something

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

It does look like its eyes are closed more. He won't get it perfect, but for 700 I would think he would come darn close. It may be too late, depending out quickly the glue dries, but if you are going to say something I would do it ASAP. My bet it's too late. Looks like cape is already pinned in place.

 

[cahunter805]

It’s definitely not a terrible looking mount but seems he didn’t build up the eyebrow/lower area at all. May have set the eyes deep also. Many forms come pretty generic and need to be tweaked a bit. At least the mount isn’t smiling!

 

[huntinsonovagun]

It’s definitely not a terrible looking mount but seems he didn’t build up the eyebrow/lower area at all. May have set the eyes deep also. Many forms come pretty generic and need to be tweaked a bit. At least the mount isn’t smiling!

I think you’re seeing exactly what I feel I’m seeing. Pronghorns aren’t a super common mount for taxis in this area, so I’m sure it’s not quite as natural for him as the whitetail mounts. Hoping we can get those eyes built up a little more!

 

[Cheesehead]

I’d say something. If for no other reason than it will forever bother you if you don’t.

If it can’t be fixed, look at it this way: if you’re religious it will remind you to pray more. Even if you’re not, you might find yourself wanting to take more naps!

 

[OntarioHunter]

Looks to me like he used the wrong size glass eyes. Too small. I'm kinda wondering if he threw on a pair of deer eyes. Here's my daughter's second attempt at shoulder mount. Big difference!

I'm not sure much can be done to fix it. The hide will be glued to the form around the eyes, nose, lips. Pulling it apart would likely ruin the cape and/or form. He can order another cape and form and start over. There is no excuse for this. He had to have known those were the wrong eyes. Or he doesn't know what he's doing. Wouldn't surprise me if Mackenzie sent him the wrong size. They pull that crap on us all the time. I can say with absolute certainty that they have screwed up something in every single order. Never fails. More than once wrong size eyes ... or fins ... or plaques. Probably a bunch of illiterate min wage immigrants working in their warehouse.

 

[TWC]

What does the taxidermist other work on Pronghorn look like? Do they have the same 'trait'?

 

[huntinsonovagun]

What does the taxidermist other work on Pronghorn look like? Do they have the same 'trait'?

I did a little looking around and I think “most” commercial quality mounts that I am seeing do not have the eyes built up like they should be- at least from the few mount photos I have seen and can tell on.

I feel like it was just a lack of use of reference photos???