Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of animals do you mount?

We have mounted the majority of  large and small North American animals as well as many North American exotics. We also mount all waterfowl, freshwater fish, and African  animals.

How long does it take to get my animal back?

All animals are given a 4-6 week period of drying time. Depending on the time of year you bring in your animal, the wait time will be different. We work strictly on a first-come first-serve basis.  The winter is our busiest time of year and the wait time is longer.

  How much do you charge?

A full price list can be found on our prices page.

  How do I care for the animal after it has been mounted?

Please see our animal care page for a full description of how to care for your animal after it has been mounted..

How do I care for my animal after the kill?

Please see our animal care page for a full description of how to care for your animal after the kill.

What payment methods are accepted?

Checks are accepted on deposits only. You must pay cash on the remaining balance of your animal. We DO NOT accept credit cards.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes, a deposit is required on all animals before any work will begin on your animal. If you do not have the deposit when you drop off the animal, you are welcome to mail a check or money order at your convenience to the proper taxidermist.  Just remember no work will begin until the deposit has been paid. The majority of our animals only require a %50 deposit; but if any other amount is required, you will be notified when you contact the taxidermist.

Do you process any meat of the animals?

No. We do not process any meat. We have processing facilities that we will recommend to you.

Can you fix an animal that has already been mounted by another taxidermist?

This depends on what is wrong with the animal. You will need to  contact  your taxidermist and  either explain the problem to him or take the animal by his shop and let him look at the animal to tell you the solution.

Do you mount saltwater fish?

Yes. We do mount saltwater fish.

Will my animal ruin if it is left in the freezer too long?

If your animal is not properly wrapped, it will freezer burn. If your animal ever freezer burns, it will be impossible to mount. Please check our  animal care section to prevent this from happening.

Do you tan hides?

We do not have the proper equipment to tan hides, but we do take in the hides and have them properly tanned for you.

What parts of the animal do you use?

Depending on what animal it is, depends on what parts of the animal we use in the mount. For the majority of animals, we use only the hides and horns. No meat, teeth, or tongues are ever used in the mounting of animals.

Can people visit your shops?

Yes. You do not have to bring any animal to us just to come and look at our work. We encourage people to stop by and look at our work so that they will be comfortable that their animal is in good hands. Please contact us before stopping by either of the shops.

Do you give out gift certificates?

No. We do not give out gift certificates.

Do you mount domestic animals or pets?

No.  As the  animal's owner, you will know your animal's expressions better than the natural expressions of an animal in the wild. It is hard for a taxidermist to make the animal look exactly as you remember it. There are some taxidermists who will mount domestics and pets, but we do not.

Can you do custom mounts?

Yes. We are willing to work with our customers in every way possible to make them happy, and this includes doing custom mounts.  We want each customer to be completely satisfied with the work we provide for them.

Will you do a special scene with my animal?

Yes. Although we do charge more to add scenes to animals, we will work with our customers in every way possible to make them happy with their mounts.  We want each customer to be completely satisfied with the work we provide for them. 

Do you charge more for larger animals than smaller animals?

Yes. Depending on what animal, depends on the price difference.  With some animals the size does not matter. Please check out our prices page or contact us for more information.

What should I do if my animal smells bad after the mount?

If your animal smells bad after the mount, immediately notify your taxidermist so the animal can be returned and handled in the proper manner.  Animals should never smell bad after being mounted.

What if my animal smells bad before I bring it to my taxidermist?

You can contact your taxidermist and ask him to help you with this problem. This could be the natural smell of the animal or it could be the way that the animal was cared for after it was killed.

Do I need any special paperwork if I kill an animal out of state or out of the country?

If you hunt outside the state on a guided hunt, you should ask your guide if there is any paperwork required. Some animals, such as Alligators, do require permits to have them mounted in a state different from the one in which it was killed.  If special paperwork is required, you must bring it with the animal when it is dropped off.

Will you mount an endangered species?

No. It is illegal to mount an endangered species, just as it is illegal to kill an endangered species.  If you find, or kill, an endangered species you should immediately contact your local Fish and Game Commission or your local Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before the animal can be mounted.

Is there any type of animals that you have not mounted?

Yes. We are always up for the challenge of mounting animals we have not previously mounted.  If we are not 100% sure that we can restore the animal back to its truest form, we will notify you before beginning work on the animal.

Will you ship my animal anywhere?

No. Shipping charges tend to be to high and the animal is at more of a risk of being damaged. We will not be liable for any damage to the animal once it has left our shops.

What happens to the remains of the animal that you do not use?

The remains are properly disposed of  in local landfills.

What type of material is used to preserve my animal?

We use all state-of-the-art manikins for your animals. All manikins are composed of  different densities of urethane and come in many different shapes and sizes. We also use glass eyes, plastic teeth, and plastic or rubber tongues. We purchase all of our supplies from the largest and most reliable taxidermy supply manufacturer in the country.

Can you mount birds of prey or song birds?

No. It is illegal to kill or mount birds of prey (i.e Hawks, Owl, Eagle, etc...) or song birds. If there is a need to kill any of these animals, contact your local Fish and Game Commission or local Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the proper permits.

Will you allow me to pay for my animal in installments?

Yes, you are welcome to either stop by our shops and pay in installments or mail money orders to the shops.  Animals will not leave our possession until the balance has been paid in full.

My animal's hair is falling out. How can I fix this? What could be the cause?

contact  your taxidermist immediately so that this problem can be handled in the proper manner. The animal's hair falling out could be caused by many different reasons. If your animal was killed in the summer months, it could be ready to shed its  hair and there is nothing that can be done to solve this problem. If your animal was drug through the woods, the hair could have been loosened in which case nothing can be done to make the hair tighten back up to the hide.  Also rubbing your animal too much after it is mounted will loosen the hair and cause it to fall out.

How do you make sure the animal will not stink?

All animals are taken through the fleshing process during which all of the meat is removed from the animal. No meat or organs are ever used in the mounting process.

Do all animals require paint and what types do you use?

After an animal is killed, it immediately starts to lose its original color. All animals are painted to restore its original look. Each taxidermist has his own preference as to which types of paints to use in the mounting. Water-based, lacquer-based, and oil-based paints can be used for mounting all animals.

What does "fleshing" a hide mean?

Fleshing is the process in which all of the meat is removed from the hide of the animal so that it will not rot or stink.

Can I catch any diseases from any animal that has been mounted?

No. All animals are preserved properly and have nothing on them that contains diseases.

Is it okay to touch the animal after mounting?

Yes the animal can be touched, but you must be very careful in doing so.  If an animal is rubbed too hard or too much, the hair will start to slip and fall out. You also stand a chance of altering the color of the animal from the oils in your own skin. This could cause the animal to have a greasy look.

Can anyone do taxidermy work?

Taxidermy work requires a lot of patience and some artistic ability. Not everyone is designed to do this kind of work.

Can you mount the full body of any animal?

Yes. Although we may not have the life-size price of the animal listed on our price list does not mean that we will not mount the animal life-size. If you want to know how much it will be for us to mount your animal life-size, please contact us for a quote.

Is it okay for me to watch you do taxidermy work?

Many times we are working on a mount when customers drop off animals . We do not mind customers talking to us while we work, but we are not a taxidermy school and do not appreciate soliciting or loitering.

Will you teach someone how to do taxidermy work?

No. There are many books and videos that can be ordered to learn to the work yourself. We are too busy to teach others how to do taxidermy work.

What happens if my animal gets wet after it is mounted?

You always want to keep your animal as dry as possible. If your animal gets wet once or twice, immediately wipe it off gently with a hand cloth and put it under a fan. If it gets wet too much the hair will start to slip and it could ruin the mount.

Will you mount an animal that has been hit with my vehicle?

No. We do not mount road kills. All of our animals need to be killed during a valid hunting season using valid hunting equipment.

What happens if I spill something on my animal and it stains the hide?

contact your taxidermist to explain the problem and the type of stain that has occurred. He will tell you if anything can be done to solve this problem.

What happens when my animal fades over time?

All animals will fade over time. If you feel the need to bring you animal back to life, please contact us and we will be more than happy to take the animal back and restore it like new. The cost of restoring the animal's color depends on what work needs to be done. Please see our price page for restoration costs.

If I mess my animal up after the kill can I still have it mounted?

It depends on what type of animal it is and what the damage is.  We are willing to work with our customers in every way possible to help preserve the animal.  Please  contact us for more information and explain the situation to us.

Is it legal to mount a fawn deer, even if it were killed as an accident?

No. According to the Alabama Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks it is not legal. Not only is it not legal to mount but you are not allowed to have the deer in your possession. If you happen to find one that has recently passed then it is best if you leave it alone. The only option to have the fawn mounted is for educational purposes. i.e. Museums