How Much Does Taxidermy Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Taxidermy is the art of mounting or reproducing animals for display in a place such as a home or in a commercial atmosphere such as a restaurant.  Common mounts include a whitetail deer, fox, bobcats, pheasants, bears, squirrels, elk and even mountain lions.

Stuffed and Mounted by xlibber, on Flickr
“Stuffed and Mounted” (CC BY 2.0) by xlibber

How much does taxidermy cost?

On average, the prices can range anywhere from $65 to as much as $4,000 or more, depending on the animal being mounted, which part, how you want it presented and which professional you choose.  Refer to our table below to see what it can cost.

For instance, a deer shoulder mount can cost anywhere from $375 to $550, while larger animals, such as an elk or caribou, can cost anywhere from $600 to $1,200 for a shoulder mount alone.  A bear, coyote, or a boar can cost $400 and $700 for a shoulder mount.

For the skin alone, tanned skins from a whitetail deer can cost anywhere from $65 to $185, depending on if it is going to be half or whole.

Birds can cost anywhere from $80 for a tail mount, all the way up to $650 for a turkey that is in a “fly mode.”

For fish, such as a bass or trout, most taxidermists are going to charge per inch.  This can range from $11 to $22 per inch, depending on what type of fish it is.

Life-sized mounts are going to cost considerably more.  For example, a life-sized squirrel can cost anywhere from $180 to $330, while a raccoon or fox can cost $400 to $615.  Larger animals such as a mountain lion or black bear can fetch prices from $1,100 to $2,400.

Large bears such as a Grizzly or Kodak can cost between $3,000 and $4,800.

Antler mount costs

Type of AnimalAverage Price
Antelope$100 to $200
Bison$250 to $450
Caribou$150 to $350 (depending on size)
Deer$100 to $200 / $150 to $300 for European style
Elk$150 to $350 (depending on size)
Goat$100 to $200
Sheep$200 to $350

Lifesize mount costs

Type of AnimalPrice Average
Antelope$1,500 to $2,500
Black Bear$1,500 to $3,500 (depending on size)
Boar$1,500 to $3,000
Bobcat$650 to $1,000
Coyote$800 to $1,300
Deer$1,500 to $2,500
Domestic Cat$750 to $1,500
Domestic Dog$750 to $1,500
Fawn$700 to $2,000
Fisher$650 to $1,000
Fox$650 to $1,000
Goat$1,500 to $2,500
Grizzly Bear$2,800 to $5,500 (depending on size)
Lion$1,500 to $3,000
Mink$250 to $450
Rabbit$250 to $450
Raccoon$650 to $1,000
Sheep$1,500 to $2,500
Skunk$650 to $1,000
Squirrel$250 to $450
Weasel$250 to $450
Wolf$1,300 to $2,500

Shoulder mount costs

Type of AnimalAverage Price
Antelope$500 to $750
Bear$400 to $750 (open mouth costs 20% more)
Bison$800 to $1,500
Boar$750 to $1,100
Caribou$500 (artificial velvet) to $1,200 (stained rack)
Deer$400 to $700
Elk$750 to $1,300 (depending on size)
Javelina$300 to $550 (open mouth costs 20-30% more)
Moose$800 to $1,300 (depending on size)
Wolf$450 to $650
Coyote$350 to $550

Tanning hide costs

Type of AnimalAverage Price
Bear$150 to $300
Beaver$100 to $200
Bison$15 to $25 per square foot
Bobcat$100 to $200
Caribou$11 to $18 per square foot
Coyote$100 to $200
Deer$100 to $300
Elk$11 to $16 per square foot
Mink$100 to $200
Moose$14 to $18 per square foot
Raccoon$100 to $200
Weasel$100 to $200
Wolf$4 to $8 per inch

Birds

Type of BirdAverage Price
Chicken$250 to $400
Ducks$300 to $500
Geese$350 to $550
Pheasant$250 to $400
Swan$700 to $1,100 (depending on the position)
Turkey Pose$700 to $1,100 (depending on the position)

What are the extra costs?

Plaques and customized nameplates can be added to any mounts, such as a pedestal mount, adding another $50 to $450 to the costs.  This will depend on the material the mount is made of and how many lines you have engraved on the nameplate.

Adding driftwood to a fish mount can cost $20 to $75, depending on the size.

If you want the animal to be in a customized pose, such as having its mouth open, it may add 20% to 30% more to the price.

Shed antlers could cost 20 to 30 percent more than the average prices mentioned above.

Skinning fees can be an additional $35 to $55 per hour.  Any cleaning or restoration that needs to be done could be $35 to $55 per hour as well.

Crate/shipping fees could add another 20 to 30 percent fee to the total.

As stated in the tables above, opening the mount’s mouth can add about 20 to 30 percent more to the bill.

Mounting options

Upright

The upright position is a class mount where the deer is mounted “upright” with its ears pointed to an alert position.

Semi sneak

The semi sneak is a relaxed pose that allows the ears to look either alert or relax.  This pose allows the animal to stick a little bit further away from the wall when compared to the upright position.

Full sneak

The full sneak position will be considered the most relaxed pose.  This pose can be hung highest on the wall and the ears, like the semi sneak, can either be relaxed or alert.

Wall pedestal pose

The wall pedestal pose is a fairly new option and allows the mount to create a shadow section, which is covered in either a felt or buckskin.

How can I save money?

Many professionals will offer payment plans for those who can’t afford the bill up front.


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Null

Average Reported Cost: $450

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0 %
Less Expensive $1 $1.5K $3K $5K $6.5K More Expensive $8k

How much did you spend?

Was it worth it?  

  1. David (Danville,  Iowa) paid $450 and said:

    Racoon mount

    Was it worth it? Yes

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