Taxidermy Deer Only

I have 3 employees. If it’s dead, legal, the client has money, and will fit through our doors , I accept it. My business would not cash flow on deer only. It’s your business, you have to make the decision.

 

I did pretty well doing only deer shoulder mounts and antler mounts. But I did better when I added elk and antelope to the mix. Once I added mammals and upland birds, it became overwhelming. Juggling two full time jobs and a family can be tricky.

 

Deer shoulder mounts will always be the bread and butter. But I feel that you will sell yourself short in more ways than one by doing only deer shoulder mounts. I personally want to be the best taxidermist God will allow me to be, for that I need to put together more than just deer. Also it’s kind of geographical, if you live in an area where all there is is tons and tons of deer then maybe it would work. Where I am personally, there is way too many birds and other critters to just take in deer. Hope this helps

 

Just a thought to bare in mind with that thinking.
If you turn down one of your current customers let's say a duck.
He's gonna take it somewheres , where ever he does and they impress him with their work, made him feel special. He ain't coming back to you with his next deer head neither.
I promise you if your customer walks in my shop with that duck. You will never see him again. I'm 100% positive on that.

 

I don’t do birds or fish , it’s hair only . So if it as hair I’ll take it in . So No fin or feathers, well I will do turkey tails , but not the whole turkey. I use to sub all my fish and birds out , but that became a pain as you need a federal license and more paperwork to deal with for the birds . So if you put out a good product and charge enough, you can do it . Find the other taxidermist in your area that don’t like to do deer and offer to do there heads , or even flesh and tan there capes .

 

Hair only here, no more small lifesize as I am too slow putting together and fussing over them and don't enjoy doing them as much as large lifesize. That said if it's a small lifesize with a safari, no problem, or if it's a bobcat shot over my dogs, no problem. But random bobcats, badgers, foxes, etc no thanks.

 

Great point!

 

I'm a deer-only guy also. I have a small work area so I can't do a lot. besides, I like doing deer only. my turnaround time is great. the customers love it. it's not my main income. I make good money at it. and I'm retired. but if it's your main income you might want to take the advice above. more work. more money.

 

Take it in and sub out to someone else who does good work. If you only make $50 on it its $50 you didnt have and you retained that guy and anyone else he knows when they get that deer.

 

Like livbucks said, take it in and find a good wholesale guy to do the fish and birds you don't want to do.
It takes some work to find a good wholesale guy, but they are out there.
You won't make as much per mount but you keep your customer.

 

I would get bored dong deer, or any other shoulder mount, only. I love the verity.

 

I used to do fish and turkeys as well as deer and mammals, but I cut back to just deer, But I'm trying to retire. The current economy is shit if your full time trying to make a good living, I don't think you can afford to be selective.