Just got a text from a friend, her boyfriend shot a nice black bear in Canada and they're looking for a good taxidermist for a full body mount. The person I usually recommend is full and can't do it. Not sure how far they're willing to travel for the work but considering travelling to Canada already I don't think anything in Wisconsin would be out of the question-for good work.

Mayes Taxidermy in Point does some good work - they're not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for.  Looks like he gets $5400 for a full black bear mt.

I have 2 hunting partners who had full bear mounts done, both mounts were with bear standing up, on back legs only. Both look awesome to me. One was a 425lb bear taken in 2010, the other was a 465lb bear taken in 2015.

I baited for both, and had the "pleasure" of tracking down both of these bears, after the shot, after dark. Both were taken in Nicolet Nat'l Forest near Eagle River.

The 425lb bear was taken to Fittante taxidermy in Antigo. IIRC it cost my buddy about $3500 in 2010. http://www.fittantereplicas.com/

The 465lb bear was done by Wildlife Expressions in Eagle River. IIRC it was about $4000 in 2015. http://wildlifeexpressionsltd.com/

This is my "selfie" with the 465lb after we brought him home. fwiw...I'm 6'2", bear mount is 3" taller than me.

This is a long process, could take up to 2 years to get it done right, depending on how busy they are, and good ones are very busy.

Thanks. Price is right about what I was estimating based on cost of forms.

Passing those on too.