Saratoga, WY
Taxidermists in Carbon County, Wyoming
Carbon County provides expansive terrain for harvesting pronghorn, mule deer, and elk, particularly in the Sierra Madre and Ferris Mountains. Success in these units often leaves hunters looking for a local professional to handle the hide and skull work before the long drive home. Processing your trophy quickly is essential in the high desert heat to prevent slipping and spoilage.
If you are coming off a hunt near the Colorado border or the Little Snake River valley, one option is available in Baggs. Snake River Processing handles local needs for those coming through the southern end of the county. Having a contact in the field saves you from hauling an unprocessed cape across state lines.
4 taxidermists in Carbon County
Serving Baggs, Encampment, Rawlins, Saratoga.
Baggs, WY
Rawlins, WY
Encampment, WY
Using taxidermists in Carbon 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.
