Hey guys,
I've got a question that I'm pretty sure I know the answer to. But I'll ask anyone because I'm hoping I'm wrong.
Do any of you get to enjoy any time at deer camp? Here in Michigan, the first week (or few days) or the firearms season is pretty rich in tradition and plenty of us head to a deer camp. But this fall will be my first bringing in customers other than friends and family so I'm afraid my deer camp days are over for at least a while. Anyone out there still find a way to hit the camp and take in a few customers in the process?
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Close the studio until you get back. If they like your work, they will wait. Relax and enjoy those few days.
are a great invention. I keep a business phone number with an answering machine in my (home)shop. On opening weekend (in Wisconsin) I hunt from camp and monitor my messages back home. I return customer calls in the evening and make appointments for them to drop the deer off in a day or so. That gives me a day or two to hunt and still keep my customers happy. I do have a few hang ups on the machine every year, but that's the price I pay for sneaking in a little hunting time. After opening weekend it's back home and caping deer 24/7.
I think I have a tracking device on my truck sometimes. They come to my deercamp to bring me deerheads. I dont know how they found out where I hunt. I take them and put them in the walk-in cooler till I go home. I'm never one to turn money down, I figure if they go through the trouble to find out where I hunt and bring the deer to me I might as well take it.
Always take time for yourself...in today's world the simple pleasures of being in the woods can do a lot to keep you fresh and motivated in your business affairs. What I have done is compile a nice sheet of paper with instructions and web-links to different sites that tell potential customers how to care for thier mounts (I have noted that several supply companies are also selling vidoes and pamphlets on this same info). I post these sheets along with some business cards in all the local sporting shops...hunters love free info with nice photos so I am sure to include those...and if they follow the directions I have given them they call me first (if I am out) they finish prep. the mount and freeze it...then they call back in a week or so. This does a few things...1 it gets you out hunting without feeling guilty; 2 it advertises your business with reliable and useful info...which is good, 3 it gives your customers better trophy care info and this results in better and easier mounting for you because often the extra and proper care has been taken with the mount. In the end you may lose the odd guy to the taxidermist down the road that bailed on hunting season (mostly because that hunter was too lazy to properly care for the mount and he justs wants the taxidermist to do all the work), oh well...at least you were in the bush and perhaps got your nice 6X6...which you can in turn mount and use for more advertising by hanging it in local shops...nice tax write-offs don't you think?
I do the same as Deb and Yoxie, sometimes I even have someone at the shop to take things in if necessary. Also, by returning the calls you can make sure the customer takes proper care of the heads until you get them. After years of this most customers know when you will be gone and when you get back it's nice because you can relate (hunting stories) remember to keep them short though...LOL.
One more thing, DON'T put your life and family on hold for ANY reason! Life is to short and trust me you will suffer from burn out a lot quicker if you don't stop and enjoy once in awhile.
I'm certainly glad to hear that there is a way to continue what's been a tradition in my family for very nearly 100 years -- and that's not much of an exaggeration. My grandad has been going to camp for 57 years and his dad went before him.
I had definitely considered having my wife take down all phone messages and returning calls from camp (I'll only be gone four days) and I also have a friend I trust that could meet guys at my place and take heads that were caped by either the hunter or the butcher though I tend to request I cape my own if possible. Then he could put the heads/capes in the freezer with the understanding that I'll be contacting the hunters for deposits/pose info, etc.
My main concern was that it will be first year. I'm not planning to make this my full-time occupation because I enjoy my "real" job. But I don't like to do anything in a shabby manner and I worried a little about the way new customers would feel about me being gone opening weekend. Of course, we get a fair share of our "mounter" bucks in the bow season and I'll be available throughout that time. Maybe by then word will have gotten around a bit that I'm a good guy . . . Or maybe they'll learn the truth about me LOL!
Thanks again. I really do appreciate not only the tactical advice but the philosophical recommendations about taking time to enjoy the sport that makes my enjoy wildlife art in the first place.
Starting the day before the season, your phone message can say..."Hi, this is Tony from TonyH taxidermy. Thanks for calling! While you successful opening day hunters make butcher arrangments and hang your deer for a few days, Ill be at deer camp. I hope Im as successful as you have been. Ill be back Thursday, so feel free to call/drop by at that time so we can make arrangements for your mount. Talk to you Thursday!" Man it doesnt get any easier then that!
Thanks again Bill.
I'm definitely going to put your (and all here as well) suggestions to good use this fall. Again, I really appreciate the help.
Tony H.