Kern Wildlife Taxidermy
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Bakersfield, CA
Taxidermists in Kern County, California
Kern County offers diverse hunting opportunities, from pigs and deer in the Tejon area to waterfowl in the valley. Once you have a trophy down, finding a local taxidermist is the next step to preserving the mount. Most services in this region are concentrated around the Bakersfield area, making it the primary hub for hunters returning from the field with their harvest.
There is currently one professional taxidermy shop listed in Bakersfield, Kern Wildlife Taxidermy. They handle a variety of local game and can assist with the specific mounting requirements for California species. Having a shop centrally located in the county seat helps local hunters avoid long drives to the coast or southern valleys after a successful hunt.
1 taxidermist in Kern County
Serving Bakersfield.
Using taxidermists in Kern County
A taxidermist takes your cape and antlers, preps and tans the hide, then mounts the animal on a form. Most shops want the cape caped out and frozen, or the whole head delivered cold and unfrozen within a day or two of the kill.
What to ask before you commit
- What is your current turnaround time, in months?
- Do you tan in-house or send hides out?
- What deposit do you require, and is it applied to the final price?
- Can I see finished mounts of the same species?
- How should I care for the cape before I bring it in?
What it usually costs
Shoulder mounts commonly run several hundred to well over a thousand dollars depending on species, form and finish work. European mounts are typically the least expensive option. Deposits of 30-50% are standard.
Timing matters
Get the cape cold fast. Do not salt or freeze a cape you plan to have mounted without asking the shop first — hair slip from a warm hide is the single most common ruined mount.