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As I look at this site and see the work posted here and think of the area where I live and work I wonder what it is that customers really want. Taxidermy has come a long way in just the past 10 years. New more accurate forms and materials, better methods and different styles of portraying the animals. Some clients are content with the “deer head on the wall” while others want a more elaborate display of the animals and still some just want a more artistic representation of the animals. While the more elaborate “air” or “action” mounts are cool to look at I wonder if the majority of hunters are requesting those type of mounts or are they more inclined to go with the “traditional” type or mounts that show the animal in a pose in which let’s say, you happened by and took a photo of it in it’s natural habitat…ie; a nice clean mount displaying the animal in a natural setting perhaps on a pedestal base. I know that personally I prefer the more artistic mount with some habitat or perhaps a slight alteration like a turn to the head or a slight open mouth but do not like so much the “Action” mounts for long term display. I do have some Action mounts on display but find that folks here look at it for a moment then move on to the more traditional style of taxidermy. This could be in part because they’ve never seen this type of mount and don’t know what to make of it. They almost always ask the cost but really never goes any farther than that. Granted that could just be the people that live here. I know in my area of local people price is king above all else. I guess I’m asking and I know I’ll get all kinds of opinions and it will likely get off the subject but what do you as taxidermist find the is the type of mount you do the most?
Traditional, (deer/elk etc. on the wall)
Artistic (perhaps a pedestal base with a nice habitat)
Action ( “air” mount, multiple animals interacting, etc.)
Just curious
I think it depends on what types of taxidermy an individual taxi offers, i cant speak from experience as a paid taxidermist, but one of the taxidermists i knew who almost exclusively did birds always seemed to have more table-top type duck mounts than flyers, and some of the requested sceneries he did were quite elaborate… but that was just ducks, i dont think i ever saw him do a goose that was not flying, and then turkey, pheasants, and grouse were about an equal mix of standing or flying… i could imagine that mammal taxidermy has the same sorts trends depending on the type of animal, although i think maybe the issue of cost and size could limit the customers in what they want to have done
When customers step into my little shop they either already know what they want or their open to idea’s. Over half that knew what they wanted changed their mind once they seen what was on the wall . The wall ped’s got some converts this year . Middle class is happy with a nice quality shoulder mount . No panel . No habitat.
They want big necks on their deer no matter what time during the season it was taken!:mad:
I can only speak for myself but I have found that you have to educate your customers to what a good mount and form is. The majority of my mounts are your standard poses but after doing several of the same “standard mounts” for a customer is when they will start considering other options offered. No doubt cost has a great influence but if they really want it they will pay for it. I am not a real big fan of the wall habitat fad so I do very few because I do not try to “sell” them. I know taxidermist that say they don’t give their customers choices, it’s x y z or nothing. I have my preferences and I do my best to direct my customers to use my choices but in the end it is what the customer wants.
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