Taxidermists in Wapello County, Iowa

Wapello County offers good timber and river bottom habitat for hunters chasing whitetails and turkeys along the Des Moines River. When you harvest a trophy in the woodlots around Ottumwa or Eldon, you need a local professional to handle the hide and antler work. Proper field care is the first step, but a skilled hand is required to finish a mount that looks natural and lasts for decades.

Ottumwa is the main hub for these services in the area. Taxidermy by Shep Brown operates there, providing specialized mounting for local hunters who want to preserve their season's success. Whether you have a heavy-racked buck or a spring tom, working with a shop right here in the county makes drop-off and pickup much easier.

1 taxidermist in Wapello County

Serving Ottumwa.

Taxidermy by Shep Brown

TaxidermistClosed

Ottumwa, IA

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Using taxidermists in Wapello 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 Wapello County

Bow Shops (2)Meat Processors (1)