How Much Does Taxidermy Cost?
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.
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 Animal | Average 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 Animal | Price 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 Animal | Average 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 Animal | Average 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 Bird | Average 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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Average Reported Cost: $450
How much did you spend?
- David (Danville, Iowa) paid $450 and said:
Racoon mount
Was it worth it? Yes
