Southern Skull Taxidermy

08/29/2026

I wanted to share another cost breakdown, this time on a duck mount.

I currently charge $450 per duck, and honestly, that’s pretty much the bare minimum. Some taxidermists would probably even say that’s cheap.

When you see $450, it’s easy to think that’s what the business is “making” on that duck. But that’s nowhere close to reality.

By the time you pay for the body, artificial head, eyes, eye rings, feet, wire, adhesives, paint, finishing supplies, shop expenses, and then account for around 5 hours of hands-on labor, there’s not a whole lot left for the actual business.

And that’s okay. Right now I’m making enough to pay myself for my time, keep the shop going, maintain what I have, buy better equipment and supplies, and continue learning and improving.

I’m not posting this because I’m complaining about what I make. I’m posting it because I think it’s interesting for customers to see what it actually costs to run a taxidermy business.

This craft isn’t easy. It takes money to make money, but more importantly, it takes time, patience, practice, and a lot of energy to get better. Every bird I mount teaches me something, and I’m constantly working toward producing better work in less time.

I’ve said it before, but I think this is one of the best ways to explain taxidermy:

There are three things everybody wants…

QUALITY • QUICK TURNAROUND • CHEAP

But you’re not going to get all three.

QUICK + CHEAP = Quality is probably going to suffer.

CHEAP + QUALITY = You’re probably going to wait.
Sometimes that means a taxidermist who’s booked out 2+ years.

QUALITY + QUICK = It’s not going to be cheap.

That’s not a knock against anybody. There are great taxidermists at all different price points with different turnaround times. You just have to decide what’s most important to you.

For me, my goal is quality work with a reasonable turnaround time at a fair price. I want to keep learning, keep getting better, and continue investing in the equipment and materials that allow me to produce better mounts.

At the end of the day, we’re running businesses. We work to make money and support ourselves just like everyone else. But we’re also being trusted with someone’s trophy and the memory that comes with it.

Cheap, fast, or quality—you can usually pick two. 🦆

08/29/2026

I figured I’d share this breakdown because I think it helps put into perspective what it actually costs to mount a deer.

When someone hears $900 for a shoulder mount, it can sound like a lot of money. But once you start breaking down the form, eyes, tanning, replacement nose, supplies, shop expenses, and the actual hours of labor that go into each deer, you quickly realize there isn’t nearly as much left over as people might think.

And honestly, $900 is pretty much the bare minimum. Some taxidermists would probably tell you that’s cheap.

I’m not posting this to complain or justify what I charge. I just thought it would be interesting to show the other side of it—the actual cost of doing business.

At the end of the day, we work to make money just like everybody else. The business has to make enough to keep the lights on, maintain and replace equipment, buy supplies, and continue investing back into the shop.

Taxidermy is also a craft that takes a LOT of time and energy to learn. You don’t just buy a form, throw a hide over it, and call it done. It takes practice, patience, attention to detail, and constantly learning and trying to get better with every mount.

One thing I’ve learned is that when it comes to taxidermy, everybody wants three things:

QUALITY. QUICK TURNAROUND. CHEAP.

But the truth is, you aren’t going to get all three.

👉 Quick + Cheap = You’re probably sacrificing quality.

👉 Cheap + Quality = You’re probably going to wait. Sometimes 2+ years.

👉 Quality + Quick = It’s not going to be cheap.

And there’s nothing wrong with choosing whichever one matters most to you. Everybody has a different budget and different expectations. You just have to decide what you’re looking for when choosing a taxidermist.

For me, I want to continue producing better quality while keeping my turnaround time reasonable. That means continuing to invest in equipment, materials, education, and most importantly, putting the time into getting better at this craft.

A trophy may represent a hunt you’ll remember for the rest of your life. I want the finished mount to be something you’re proud to look at for years to come.

Quality costs money. Speed costs money. Experience takes time.

That’s just the reality of the craft. 🦌

08/28/2026

As Deer season approaches I’m getting more and more excited! Can’t wait to hear the stories and bring these beautiful creatures back to life! To all my fellow hunters be safe out there and I hope you all are blessed with a great season! &Wildlifetaxidermy

08/17/2026

Went better than expected on my first standing duck, with the bird I struggle with the most! I’m gonna perfect these wood ducks before long!

08/14/2026

Made some habitat and scenery to mount some ducks on today!! Who’s ready for duck season!!!

08/11/2026

I absolutely can not wait for season to start!!! Hit me up for your taxidermy needs!!!

08/08/2026

Don’t wait!! Last time I was full in under an hour!!!

05/07/2026

And just like that in less than 2 hours Southern Skull Taxidermy is full! Wanted to jump on here and say thank you to everyone that pays attention and engages with my page. This goes to show you the hard work pays off seeing the Community connecting and fast at that! I try and bring yall good stuff everyday! Thanks everyone and if you want your business seen or want to talk on the podcast feel free to reach out!

05/07/2026