I recently hunted in North America and had my skins tanned in B.C Canada. I stipulated to the commercial tanner which animals were for rugs, life size, shoulder mounts etc. I made cuts along the legs and belly up to the chest and then cased from the shoulders and kneck up for the life size mounts. The tannery cut all the skins for life size mounts including Grizzly, Black bear and wolves up to the chins. I was shocked when I received them. Is this standard practice ? Also, I was charged an additional 20 % for drying and tumbling of deer capes. I was surprised with this additional charge. Do other tanneries charge extra for this service? The tanning and fleshing job was excellent I am only disappointed with the cutting and additional charges.
As taxidermists do you prefer having the cuts up to the chins? If not, do you charge extra for the additional work, sewing etc? I would appreciate your opinions on this matter including what action I should take. How difficult will it be to hide the stitching on the chest and kneck when it comes to mounting?
Thanks in advance John
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No the tannery should not have opened the animals, you had cut them they way you wanted them. Sounds to me like they are new to tanning.
Part of tanning is drying and tumbling!
Stitching will just take time for you to make sure the seam don't pucker, then attention to the seam during the drying time on the mount.
I would call the tannery and request the 20% refunded. Unless you signed a waiver.
Next step woould be up to you its a civil law problem.