Harlingen, TX
Taxidermists in Cameron County, Texas
If you are hunting the brush country of Cameron County, you will eventually need a local shop to handle a trophy. Most hunters in this part of the Rio Grande Valley are looking to preserve a heavy-racked whitetail or a nilgai taken off the surrounding ranches. Since the heat down here is a constant factor, getting your cape or hide to a professional quickly is the only way to ensure the mount turns out right.
There are currently two taxidermy operations listed for the county, with shops located in Brownsville and Harlingen. These businesses, such as Buckshot Taxidermy Studio in Harlingen, understand how to work with the thick hides of local exotic species and native game. Whether you need a shoulder mount or a rug, these local professionals save you the long drive north to find a skilled hand.
2 taxidermists in Cameron County
Serving Brownsville, Harlingen.
Brownsville, TX
Using taxidermists in Cameron 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.
