Contributors to this thread:
I'm hoping to get a Merriam's that is mature enough to do a full-strut mount on this year, and I'm having a difficult time finding anyone in NM that does turkeys (or does them well at least). My questions for the experienced folk in the group are as follows: 1. Have any of you ever shipped a turkey to a different state to have it mounted? 2. Were you satisfied with the experience? 3. What was the approximate cost? 4. Is there anyone you would recommend? 5. Did you run into issues with too much feather damage from shooting it with archery equipment?
I know, a lot of questions, but any insight you can give me would be much appreciated as I'm hoping to get this figured out before I have a turkey flopping on the ground. Thanks for the help.
It is hard to get Turks done right and many taxi's don't do many Turks. I would not hesitate to ship any where in the US for the best.
Razza's Taxidermy is a Bowsite sponsor and more than half his business is shipped in and out! Good luck with your Turk, beware of the buggies:) C
Razza's bird are some of the best I've seen! His mounts almost make me wanna get more birds mounted then I already have.
Get a quote on return shipping before sending it out of state. Shipping costs have gotten outrageous.
McGuire's Taxidermy in Christiansburg, Virginia does the very best turkey I have ever seen. I first saw McGuire's birds at a NWTF banquet. I once had the chance to ask Harold McGuire how he had mastered the art of the Wild Turkey. Interestingly, he told me he had once had a turkey mounted back many years ago and it looked so awful he was ashamed to display it! He said he told himself if he ever pursued his dream of becoming a taxidermist, he would "hang his hat" on the Wild Turkey. I know he has mounted every variety of Wild Turkey recognized, including the one from I believe South America that somewhat resembles a peacock. All of his birds are magical and appear as if they are alive. Another positive....His Prices are Very Low!
Good advice here, turkeys are tough to mount, ask me how I know. As far as the best, that is a tough call, there are handful of guys who specialize in turkeys. Check on Cally Morris with Hazel Creek Taxidermy. He specializes in turkey. Actually I believe that is all he does. His work is at the top. He has won numerous turkey taxidermy awards and is set up to have birds shipped in and then he ships them out. Just google his name and it will turn up.
Or you could give it a try yourself, I actually wrote a book on turkey taxidermy. Just google Todd Triplett taxidermy books.
If you live where there are bugs makes sure you or who ever does your turkey is willing to get rid of all the meat on the wings, legs, etc or you may have bug problems.
Make sure who ever does your turkey is willing to use freeze dried heads. This is pretty much standard practice for turkeys...which I didn't know until I started looking into it! Your tom will look a lot more life-like if you use a freeze dried head. Also, some taxidermists don't seem to know how to paint heads...which make or break a mount. Make sure to look at close up photos of turkey mount heads before picking a taxidermist. Some taxidermists are willing to put a lot more time into straightening and lining up all the feathers..another thing to watch out for!
If you decide to give turkey taxidermy a try there are also a couple turkey taxidermy videos available. I have a couple in the freezer that I plan on trying when time permits. All you pretty much need is borax, a freeze-dried head, turkey form, wire, silicone, and possibly a grinding wheel that you can set up as a flesher.
Hazel Creek's reputation is second to none, and a majority of their business is from people shipping birds to them. No personal experience, but this is the route I have always planned on going if I decide to get one mounted.
I agree with what everyone is saying and will add to make sure if the taxidermy says he does turkeys make sure he is not just sending it out to the taxidermy that does turkeys. Many many taxidermist do have someone else do them. Not that it's bad having your bird done by the specialist!.
Chris Dishler of nature's own taxidermy in spring green Wi does mine. Amazing turkeys and many wins on the competition circuit
muley505, if you decide to ship your turkey out of state I recommend you talk with the taxidermist you chose before for instructions. They should be able to answer all your questions. Best of luck!
Razza's Taxidermy Studio Bowsite Sponsor
Here's a shipping video I did a few years back. I would add to put a paper towel in the mouth to soak up blood.
Birdman taxidermy in trinidad co does some of the best looking turkeys I have ever seen and some off the best best birds anywhere and not to far from nm.Look at his website they look the same in person.A friend of mine had him do a blue grouse he shot with his bow we stopped and picked it up on are way back from texas from are hog hunt it looks amazing he showed us around his shop he does some amazing work.
Thanks for all the input, folks. I'll definitely look into the options recommended. I figured there would be some very useful recommendations as I've seen some very nice full-strut mounts on here. Thanks again; you all have given me a lot to work with.
Tradhntr, todd does a pretty good turkey, but beware. He ships in pieces. You will have some assembly required on some. Had a customer that used him once and was not happy having to take his bird to someone else for assembly.
Thats a slick nice strutter, Dennis. Do you do your own birds?
Gulfcoast, Yes, I mount all of my own birds with my helper... we work as a team. The birds above were mounted for a turkey demo.Thanks, Dennis
Just picked up a Rio from our Kansas huntil last year. If anyone needs a reference for a taxi in Atlanta, Wildlife Taxidermy in Lawrenceville does great work. I am picking up a flyer next week, and just dropped off a stag from Patagonia.
Also, it did not take a year, the birds sat in my freezer until November.
Nice work Mr. Razza those are some of the cleanest looking turkey mounts I have seen !
anyone have a turkey rug pic they can post?
