Hi, my family had a watoosie steer that died and we took his head and horns to be mounted. After months of waiting and excuses of why it was taking so long, we received a call that our watoosie was ready. Once we looked at the head, we knew the head wasn't the one we had brought in. The horns are much smaller and it is not our steer's head. The taxidermist says it is it but we know it is not. Does anyone know how much the head and horns would be worth? I would appreciate any help anyone could give me. Thank you.
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Are you saying that he got your Watoosie mixed up with one of the others in the shop?
Here's a photo of "Watoosie" - www.partypop.com/Vendors/4053547.htm
If you're talking about a "watusi", that would be a different story!
If you have a picture of your animal, that should solve the problem with the horns. As far as it not being your steer's head......The taxidermist has to deal with forms that may or may not be made for that exact species. The form that he had to use(because of it's size) may not have been sculpted for a watusi, or it may have been sculpted using a cow or bull for reference instead of a steer. To simplify, he could make it look like "a watusi" but not necessarily like "your watusi". Here again, you need photographic evidence that the cape that was used is not from your animal. Unusual markings(this may be tough with a watusi) or maybe the ears had destinctive edge marks.
Then we come to the competency of the taxidermist. He may or may not have been qualified to do something like that. Did you ask if he had done anything like it before? Look at his work? Or did you just pick him because he was "the cheapest"?
As far as value, it may have some, but you would first have to find someone who wanted it. And as far as it not being "yours", you might look at how hard it would be to get one to replace yours. It isn't likely that it would be worth anything to sell yours and then replace it with another. Not that that couldn't happen, it just doesn't seem realistic.
Your first step is to prove that it isn't yours by producing pictures of the animal for evidence. If you can't, better get your checkbook out and clear a spot on the wall.
I doubt there was another Watusi in the shop.
Did you shop for the cheapest price?
Old Fart made a lot of good points!