Shawn Smith Taxidermy Arts, LLC
TaxidermistClosed
Waunakee, WI
Taxidermists in Dane County, Wisconsin
Dane County offers a mix of agricultural land and woodlots that produce quality whitetails and waterfowl each season. When you land a trophy in the fields around Waunakee or along the Wisconsin River, you need a local professional who understands the specific anatomy of Midwestern game. Finding a reliable shop nearby ensures you don't have to drive across the state just to drop off a cape or a bird.
There is currently one featured professional serving this area, Shawn Smith Taxidermy Arts, LLC in Waunakee. They handle the preservation and mounting process for local hunters who want to commemorate their harvest. Having a specialized shop in the county makes it easier to discuss pose options and manage the turnaround time for your mount.
1 taxidermist in Dane County
Serving Waunakee.
Using taxidermists in Dane 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.