Taxidermist gone missing

[Jim 1367]

Hello,

 I have been dealing with a taxidermist from the upper midwest that I met at a few of the larger hunting shows several years ago. His turn around time was always very good.I won't mention any names as I still have hopes of trying to resolve this amicably. Long story short he has done several lifesize mounts of sheep, desert,stone, bighorn plus some other things. I have always been satisfied with the quality, In fact it has been excellent. Last year(2010) I had several hunts planned and he offered me a deal if I payed for some work up front.Plus he would get anything I sent him done quickly. Claimed he had to pay for some advertising and he did advertise in some large publications. Ads seem to be gone now. Anyhow in the spring 2010 I gave him $5000 up front since I knew I had work coming( I know ,stupid, a point my wife reminds me of everyday). In return I was supposed to get some additional credit towards what I had coming. Last August/September 2010 I sent him a Dall sheep for a pedestal mount, 2 wolves and an awesome wolverine. One of the wolves and the wolverine were to be lifesized.

  The last communication I had was in the early spring of this year when we talked about position and details about the wolf/wolverine mounts. I did receive a phone call a month or two ago that he would start working on them. I missed the call but that was the message.I did call right back on the number provided but those calls were not returned  That was after a fairly strong email from me asking how come no calls or emails are returned. Since then no emails or calls have been returned. Plus I have heard from multiple people in various part of the country that there has been trouble brewing for a while and I was not the only one who gave him money up front. I live 14 hours away so it is not around the corner that I can just drop by. That being said I am not opposed to flying out for the day to go to his shop. The question is with no phone calls or emails returned I wonder if anyone would be there and that is just more wasted money.

While I do not want to lose the money, I really don't want lose the animals.Can anyone suggest an approach as to what direction to head. I have been pretty patient. His work has always been good, prices comparable and service has always been great. However  am at my wits end. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Jim

[pir^2h]

If you want any help on here you will need to post the city he is located in at very least.  Maybe someone on here that is local to him will contact you and get his name and check out what is happening on your behalf, or know of any circumstances that may have came up.  Being that far away you are not doubt out of touch with possibly there is a legitmate reason such as a sudden illness, hospitalization or any one of many other reasons.  Since nobody knows who this mystery taxidermist is we don't want to jump to conclusions but, it is possible he may have skipped town with your money and animals but lets hope there is a valid explanation and this is not the case. 

Another option is to check with the local Better Business Bureau or the local Chamber of Commerce.  Best of luck to you.

Vic

[Hedhuntr]

Post the state, city then when people on here respond talk to them in private for help if this taxidermist is giving you the run around.

[Jim 1367]

Eagle, Wisconsin,

Thanks for any help

[Randy Miller]

I know who you are talking about. He usually gets mount out but may be years behind what he told you. Lousy businessman and when he gets behind or in trouble with the state (as he has a number of times) he hides. Good taxi but a crook.

[earnhardtgw3]

I believe there is 7 different taxidermist listed in the Eagle area. I would contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and see if they can help you recover your trophies from him. I have read different articles where they have recovered trophies from taxidermists so I think that would be a good place to start.

[Richard C]

Found this on accuratereloading.com the other day. Maybe it's the same guy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   gerryb
one of us
  Posted 23 December 2011 18:23 
If you are thinking about using High Country Taxidermy in Eagle Wisconsin BEWARE. I was stupid and read the big adds in SCI and then was impressed with his fancy booth at the convention and decided to use Edwin.He was a likeable guy who made a good first impression. After delivering some animals the calls started, beggging for money for reasons that changed with every call, for instance the Sultan of Dubai owed him huge amounts and they were going to pay himin a week. I stupidly helped him out SEVERAL times. Each time he promised to ship my remaining animals. This happened numerous times, and after he gets the money you could not get in touch with him. Then he would call again and ask for another 5k. Of course the reason would be even more unbelievable.

Well 2 1/2 years later he still hasn't shipped my remaining trophies. I am at a loss, I do not like legal action but it seems like he is begging for it. I will never use him again even though his work is good,It is not worth going through this.

If anyone is thinking about using him or has trophies there, good luck getting them. Of course SCI has no comment, but these type of people should be banned from the hunting fraternity. I will be letting the hunting report know and 24 hour campfire. If you are considering High Country Taxidermy BEWARE!

gerry b
  Posts: 535 | Registered: 23 September 2007
 

[Jim 1367]

That is  one in the same. Pretty much exactly the same story( Never heard about a Sultan though) I will check out Accurate reloading and contact the hunting report.  I also got some Pm's Sugesting the game warden and better bussiness bureau.

Thanks 

[saddlehorse_98]

find the prosecuting attorney for his area. and game warden. I bet he is not a stranger to them. file chargers against him. don't worry about hurting his feelings. at this point I would make him worry about getting my money and trophies back to me or he can go to jail. the longer you waite the more chance you will not get your trophies back. thats what I would do.

[maxman]

The guy needs to raise his prices!!!!! Waiting for 2 years for a mount is terrible.

[Mason(Ron&Linda)]

   We've been hearing that a lot from new customers the past few years maxman. Even longer then 2 years!

[WildNatureLuver]

That's a shame , his wildlife renderings look outstanding , hope he gets it together, he has so much to offer.

[John C]

If the animals are not native to the state of Wisconsin how can the Game warden have anything to sa, other than advice.

Hell if you want to give money away I will send my address.

[Jim 1367]

I will pursue the ideas suggested. He never took two years on any of my things, In fact i was always happy with the delivery time. Plus he was always very accommodating. He had two life size mounts and in order to save the cost of crating and shipping(his suggestion) we arranged to meet in Indiana(I am in PA) when he had another delivery to make. And another time he was making a delivery to Pa and we made arrangements to meet and transfer the work he had completed. I have no issues with the quality either. I am not opposed to waiting a reasonable period of time and I know not everything is ready on dates promised due to other circumstances but a return call or email is not an unreasonable request . Thanks for your help.

[michael p.]

It is sad for all parties involved when this happens.  It's sad for the talented Taxidermist who is in above his head and it is sad for the trusting customer who stands to lose his money and trophies.  Let's hope this guy gets his act together and if not atleast becomes humble enough to admit it and returns the gentlemans trophies......as for the $5,000 I guess we all know you cannot squeeze blood out of a turnip