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Taxidermists in Rio Grande County, Colorado

Rio Grande County serves as a central hub for hunters coming off the surrounding high country in the San Juan Mountains and the Rio Grande National Forest. Whether you are coming back from a pack trip for elk or a late-season deer hunt, finding a local shop to handle your trophy is a priority before heading home. Most of the services are located along the Highway 160 corridor.

Monte Vista is the primary location for taxidermy work in this part of the San Luis Valley. Mill Iron Taxidermy operates in town, providing mounting services for big game harvested in the nearby units. Having a shop located right in the valley makes it easier to drop off heads or hides for processing immediately after your hunt concludes.

2 taxidermists in Rio Grande County

Serving Monte Vista.

Using taxidermists in Rio Grande 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.

Other services in Rio Grande County

Meat Processors (1)

Taxidermists in nearby Colorado counties

Adams County (2)Alamosa County (1)Arapahoe County (3)Archuleta County (1)Boulder County (2)Broomfield County (1)Chaffee County (1)Delta County (3)Denver County (2)Dolores County (1)Douglas County (2)Eagle County (1)El Paso County (2)Fremont County (2)Garfield County (1)Grand County (1)Gunnison County (1)Huerfano County (1)Jackson County (1)Jefferson County (5)La Plata County (1)Larimer County (5)Las Animas County (2)Mesa County (3)