Posted: 3/4/2013 5:51:54 PM EDT
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Hey guys,
A little back story... I shot the deer of a lifetime last year in Kiabab and wanted a european mount done by a pro. I dropped my head off Nov 1st. I finally got my european mount back today from the taxidermist and I am extremely disapointed in what I received. The bottom half of the antlers are black, cracked and missing chunks. I had my gf pick the antlers up for me, so I didnt notice them til I got home. I called the taxidermist and explained what i saw and I got the "what do you want me to do about it"? and "thats never happened before". I sent him pics of the issues and I am still waiting for a reply. This is all after I was dicked around and told the original mount would take only 4 weeks to complete......it took 4 months. At this point, I am done with him and would prefer to have someone else fix his mistakes. I have done a few myself, and looking back, I should have done this myself, but it was a Kiabab buck that I was proud of and wanted done professionally. What I got was far from professional. Any recommendations on taxidermists you have used and trust? 
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I have a buddy I work with who has a frind who owns a carrion beetle farm. (No shit) He said the next time I want a European Mount, he will give it to this guy, and he will do it for free. I am going to try it. I have a buddy up in Payson who has a guy that did my European mount on my Elk, cost me $150, and it came out great. LMK.   |
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Quoted: Looks a hell of a lot better than what I got. Do you think he could fix my antlers? I will ask. I am interested to find out how they got fucked up like that in the first place. Takes a lot to crack them, and the coloring is weird. I sent him an email, I will let you know!
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I asked him the same thing. He boiled the skull, that much he told me. He kept telling me he has done this for 30 years and never had this problem. I call BS.
I figured it is from boiing them way too long and basically 'cooking' them, but I can't be sure. Thanks for your help! |
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He boiled them for a long time in water with other skulls and submerged the antler in the boiling water. That is what caused the damage. You will need to strip the antlers, repair them with epoxy and paint to match. To do it right will be relatively expensive and probably never turn out as well as you hoped. I'm sorry. |
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Quoted:
Thanks again for all the help guys. I ended up going with Chris Krueger. After talking with him for a while about some of the repairs he has done and checking out his work, I am confident he will be able to help me fix these antlers.... At least I hope so!! Chris has done three elk for me. Great guy. |
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Chris Kreuger is one of the best, but you'll pay for that in time and money. That being said, you won't be disappointed, either.
I really like the guys over at Badlands Custom Taxidermy: http://couesaddiction.blogspot.com/. I actually do some of their skull work for them. a few of which can be seen here. |
| Glad you got an answer and found the right person to do it. Let me know if you need any done in the future. My guy did reply that it would be difficult to fix. Sounds like Taxidermy AZ had too much on the plate and shortcutted your mount. I would demand some kind of refund for the work done poorly. |
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Quoted: I would demand some kind of refund for the work done poorly. That never flies in the Taxidermy business, especially on a sub $200 Euro Mount. Good taxidermists won't put out shitty work...business is based upon repeat and referral business. The damage has been done on both sides. FWIW, taxidermy was a hobby of mine for a long time. My best friend's older brother used to own a shop in Lynwood, IL and I would help doing birds and deer during peak season. I don't go out of my way to do it anymore, but I did just finish a skull refurb for my neighbor. He got skunked last elk season but found a nice skull with a 6x6 rack attached. The antlers were sun bleached and the antlers had started to become more open pored. The skull was stained from rotting flesh and leaves. It turned out fantastic with about $20 in material and 6 hours at the bench. Earned myself a fistful of cigars. I should have taken pictures. If any of you guys ever want to attempt a Euro mount on your own, you can go the backyard boiling route...but it stinks and is filthy. You will smell like boiled rotten brains for three days and risk ruining the antler like OP's if you aren't careful. Also, antelope and sheep horn requires different steps...don't try this at home for your first time if you get a nice one. Find a guy with beetles or hire it out to a guy who uses custom cast resin skulls. The kits you can buy at retail are over priced garbage. |
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Quoted: I used to frequent the Skate Rink in Lynwood when I lived in Chicago a long time ago. Small world.Quoted: I would demand some kind of refund for the work done poorly. That never flies in the Taxidermy business, especially on a sub $200 Euro Mount. Good taxidermists won't put out shitty work...business is based upon repeat and referral business. The damage has been done on both sides. FWIW, taxidermy was a hobby of mine for a long time. My best friend's older brother used to own a shop in Lynwood, IL and I would help doing birds and deer during peak season. I don't go out of my way to do it anymore, but I did just finish a skull refurb for my neighbor. He got skunked last elk season but found a nice skull with a 6x6 rack attached. The antlers were sun bleached and the antlers had started to become more open pored. The skull was stained from rotting flesh and leaves. It turned out fantastic with about $20 in material and 6 hours at the bench. Earned myself a fistful of cigars. I should have taken pictures. If any of you guys ever want to attempt a Euro mount on your own, you can go the backyard boiling route...but it stinks and is filthy. You will smell like boiled rotten brains for three days and risk ruining the antler like OP's if you aren't careful. Also, antelope and sheep horn requires different steps...don't try this at home for your first time if you get a nice one. Find a guy with beetles or hire it out to a guy who uses custom cast resin skulls. The kits you can buy at retail are over priced garbage. |
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Quoted: Snip I had the OP do my mule deer using the boil method with a big Walmart crock pot on the grill. He actually has my javelina skull from last week waiting to be picked up as well. Apparently someone emailed the link to this thread to Jeff sometime yesterday. Way to go AZHTF! |
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Quoted:
I can do it.. Here is a sample of some of my work. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8536359786_c8c70ddb83_o.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8536364574_395d153d31_o.jpg really, that sucks.. is there any sort of guarantee from who did it? apparently he has a reputation of being good, he should make it right if he stands behind his work. I literally lol. Thanks for making my night. |