Getting a trophy turkey mounted can be an expensive endeavor, but for dedicated hunters it is often worth immortalizing that big tom or boss gobbler. When considering taxidermy costs, it pays to shop around and educate yourself on options to find the best value. Here is a breakdown of factors that influence turkey mount prices and tips for budgeting this investment.
Average Costs for Basic Turkey Mounts
A basic turkey shoulder mount typically runs $600-$1500 depending on size, pose and taxidermist. Here are some average price ranges:
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Standard gobbler mount $600-$800
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Full strut pose: $800-$1200
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Mount with special base/habitat $1000-$1500
Many taxidermists charge by the inch for turkeys, with prices starting around $24 per inch of beard. A mature tom with a 10-12 inch beard could run $250-$300 just for the beard mount itself.
Other popular turkey mounts include:
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Tail/beard/spur mount: $225-$350
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Fan/beard mount $350-$500
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Wing/tail/beard mount: $650-750
What Factors Impact the Cost?
Several variables affect the final price tag for a turkey mount.
Size and Pose
Larger birds and more complex poses take more time and materials, increasing the cost. A full strut gobbler is pricier than a standard relaxed pose.
Taxidermist Skill and Experience
More skilled taxidermists can command higher prices, especially those who compete professionally. Seek artist recommendations.
Materials and Base
Unique mounts with carved bases, hand-painted feathers or robust habitat displays are more expensive. Simple plaques reduce cost.
Shipping
Adding shipping, insurance and crating for a protected mount can tack on $200 or more to the total bill.
Rush Orders
Expedited “rush” orders typically add a 50% upcharge or more. Build extra time into your order to avoid fees.
Tips for Budgeting Your Turkey Mount
Follow these tips to get the mount you want at a reasonable price:
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Shop around for quotes, comparing taxidermists in your area. Get referrals from hunting buddies.
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Ask about package deals bundling mount, shipping, materials, etc.
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For exotic mounts, provide your own materials like carved pedestals or plaques.
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Go for a basic pose like standing relaxed rather than full strut.
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Opt for a smaller piece like a beard, fan or half-body mount if cost is critical.
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Avoid rush orders by bringing your bird directly to the taxidermist after harvest.
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Time orders in the off-season when taxidermists are less busy.
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Consider DIY options for simpler beard or fan mounts to save substantially.
With smart budgeting, you can memorialize your trophy turkey without breaking the bank. Do your homework to negotiate the best price for a stunning, lifelong memento.
How do you mount a turkey taxidermy?
To mount a turkey taxidermy, our taxidermists start by selecting a pose and preparing the turkey skin, ensuring it is clean and dry. We then attach the skin to a body form that matches your chosen pose. We then sew the skin onto the form, paying close attention to alignment and positioning. Once the skin is secured, we fluff the feathers to achieve a natural look. Lastly, we mount the turkey on a suitable base or wall plaque, ensuring it’s securely fastened for display.
How to mount turkey fans?
First, you should locate the base of the tail, a triangle-shaped area which holds all of the tail feathers. Next, cut off the tail, and if desired, you can also remove the legs and beard at this step. If the turkey tail is ruffled, muddy or bloody, you can resolve this by washing it using a regular dish detergent to remove any stains. Once you’ve washed the fan, now dry it with a blow dryer on low heat and smooth/straighten out the feathers. The next step is to lay the tail on cardboard or old newspapers and peel back the skin from the flesh toward the feathers on both sides to expose the area that holds all of the tail feather quills. Now, you will remove as much fat and flesh from the turkey tail fan as possible. Separate each quill with small scissors and trim as much of the fat that you can. Now, soak just the base of the quills and skin of the tail for about an hour in white gas to remove any grease. Dry then soak for an hour in a mixture of Borax and water. Dry and lay out the feathers on cardboard and use straight pins to arrange and tack them into a fan shape. Next, cover and let the feathers dry for two to three weeks. When ready, mount on a plaque or display just the feathers. For more details, contact our team!
It Cost HOW MUCH!! | Full Body Turkey Mount by Andy Speer
FAQ
How much does it cost to mount a turkey?
| Turkey Options | |
|---|---|
| Hen Decoy Mount | $450.00 |
| Flying Turkey (Full Body) | $650.00 |
| Dead hang Turkey (Full Body) | $650.00 |
| Strutting Turkey (Full Body) | $695.00 |
How much does a taxidermy charge?
From 632 responses, she determined the average cost of a deer mount in America is $721.35. Interestingly, 5.54% of American taxidermists charge at least $1,000 for a deer mount. If you move outside the continental United States, taxidermy gets more expensive, though.
Can you get a turkey mounted?
The Turkey Mounting Process
We meticulously clean and flesh each turkey prior to mounting, then individually move each feather into position so that the bird is posed in a natural position. All turkey legs and feet are injected to give them a natural life like appearance.
How much does it cost to put hair in turkey?
The average price for direct hair implantation in Turkey is from $2000 to $5000, and it can vary, depending on how experienced the surgeon is and the …
How much does a Turkey taxidermy cost?
Currently, our price for a turkey taxidermy mount piece are $1,195 for any pose including the standard base or limb (turkey wall mounts and standing mounts); $595 for a turkey wing, tail, or beard; and $250 for a tail/beard mount. See our price list for most up-to-date pricing. How do you mount a turkey taxidermy?
What types of Turkey mounts are available?
Our turkey mounts are available in the following species: Eastern, Merriam, Osceola, Ocellated, and Rio. Shop various turkey species’ wall mounts, standing mounts, beards, tail fans, and more. The wild turkey is a large, ground-feeding bird that is native to North America.
How much does a turkey cost?
Each type 1 turkey costs $10 and yields 5 lb of white meat and 2 lb of dark meat. Each type 2 turkey costs $8 and yields 3 lb of white meat and 3 lb of dark meat. Formulate an LP to maximize Turkeyco’s profit. 54 Priceler manufactures sedans and wagons.
How do you mount a Turkey taxidermy?
To mount a turkey taxidermy, our taxidermists start by selecting a pose and preparing the turkey skin, ensuring it is clean and dry. We then attach the skin to a body form that matches your chosen pose. We then sew the skin onto the form, paying close attention to alignment and positioning.
How do you display a turkey tail?
Some hunters like to display turkey taxidermy in their North American animal or bird collections – while others DIY their turkey tails as a decoy for hunting. At All-Taxidermy, our turkey tail mounts can be mounted on a plaque, with the breast and/or beard, with the tail and wings, or displayed with just the tail feathers – the choice is yours!