What Do You Charge For A Deer Head

Sorry about that. I didn't intend to cause confusion. I just figured I'd continue along the same line as the generic question of what do you charge for a deer head with the same type of a question on shop rates.

Thank you for responding. Your shop rate is about the same as mine was.

 

I'm in Kentucky the closest guy to me charged me 350.00 and it took him over a year to get it dun and this what it look's like I wasn't happy let's just say the least his show room didn't look like this.

 

450 is a good price around here if the work is better than I got. I started mounting my own after that experience. I mounted my cousin's deer and their happy with it I told them flat out I just starting out so don't expect top notch. Here's a few pictures of there deer

 

For a standard shoulder mount I charge $600. I am in South West Virginia. I do it part time for people I know. I don’t advertise. Here’s a pict for the last one I did. I would like to do taxidermy full time one day.

 

I didn't see where you added in shipping charges on materials.

 

13 point

I think this is a great topic. When I read someone charges $350 for a deer head I shake my head how can't they afford that. If it a taxidermist first year and he thinking this will get me noticed and bring me in heads to gain experience is the only way I can see that price Justified and many will argue on that. Not saying everyone needs to charge $800 there come a price point where the hunter paying for excellence in taxidermy.

 

Don't go there. I have a pension as well but it damned sure never interfered with being a businessman.
A couple years back I hit a deer that destroyed my grill. Since the headlight covers were weathered, I asked the cost. She said $350 for the right, $250 for the left. That would be on top of the $1000 deductible. I went online and found the exact lights for $35 each with preset light bulbs. So why the difference? BUSINESS!
Remember all the bitching about McKenzie buying up all the suppliers and jacking prices up? Well, fast forward. Those contracts are expiring and now those same small companies are coming back. It sure seems that THEY became educated on conducting business. Their prices are now in line with McKenzie.
Pension or no pension, you're screwing yourself AND YOUR FAMILY. Your clients have the allegiance of a crack headed hooker. So you absorb the costs of doing business from your family's income. While your clients are taking fancy vacations, you're taking your family to a taxidermy convention. While your client has his family at the lake fishing and picnicking, you're busting your ass clearing your backlog and begging them to come get their mount. While they head to deer camp and opening day, you're clearing floor and freezer space and figuring how you'll manage 16-18 hour days and praying you and your family stay healthy. While they are out enjoying the holidays, you're still on the phone begging them to pick up their work so you can buy your kids Christmas gifts. While they're out partying on New Years eve, you're still in the shop caping deer. If you want to know how indebted they feel towards you, raise your price $25.

 

Then you're a part-timer. When I was full blown, I did just what I described. I was a one-man show with 100+ pieces a year. I usually hunted opening morning but never got out afterwards due as much to guilt as it did on work waiting for me. And nothing changes about cheating your family if you're not passing 100% of your costs along to your clients.

 

Your shop rate should include every single little cost it takes to do business. Materials, parts, services, shipping and time it takes to mount it are added to that.

I supplemented my full time taxidermy business with a full time job at a sunroom solarium company. My wife did not work. Before I went full time and was 20 to 50 pieces a year, I ran it like it was a full time business. I don't understand at all, the statement made that since it's part time and not going toward the bills, that it doesn't have to make a living wage.

 

Because this is a web site that is designed to help other taxidermists become better taxidermists and that includes the business side of it. We would like to see all on here thrive and understand they can make an above average living at this.

I really don't care how much anyone on here makes, however, I would like to just put it out there that some taxidermists could benefit from some of these examples.

 

5 1/2 hours pretty well sums it up for me.

 

5 1/2 hours , can anyone say DP.