Taxidermists in Madison County, Iowa

If you harvest a trophy in Madison County, you have local options for preserving the mount near St. Charles and Van Meter. The area produces heavy-racked whitetails and big longbeards, making it convenient to have a shop close to where you hunt. Bringing your deer or birds to someone nearby simplifies the drop-off and pickup process after a long season in the timber.

Hutton Taxidermy in St. Charles is one of the professionals serving this part of the state. These shops handle standard shoulder mounts, European mounts, and small game work. Having a specialist in the county ensures your trophy gets the attention it needs without driving across the state to reach a reliable bench.

2 taxidermists in Madison County

Serving St Charles, Van Meter.

Badger Creek Taxidermy

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Van Meter, IA

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Hutton Taxidermy

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St Charles, IA

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Using taxidermists in Madison 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.