How Much Does It Cost to Get a Turkey Taxidermy Mount?

Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in North America, with over 200,000 wild turkeys harvested each spring. For many hunters, preserving their trophy tom through taxidermy is the ultimate way to commemorate a successful hunt. But high-quality turkey mounts don’t come cheap – so how much should you expect to pay?

The cost of a turkey taxidermy mount can vary quite a bit based on the size and pose of the mount the quality of workmanship and options like special bases or habitat dioramas. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay

Basic Turkey Mounts

The most affordable and common turkey mount is a simple shoulder mount. This pose shows a turkey’s full body plumage while taking up minimal space on the wall. Expect to pay:

• Chucker (turkey shoulder mount): $400

Slightly more expensive is a tail mount, which focuses just on the turkey’s large, fanned tail feathers A taxidermist will cut these feathers and rear tail bone from the rest of the carcass and arrange them attractively over a panel Expect to pay

• Turkey tail/beard mount: $225

For hunters who want to display multiple turkey trophies in a small space, a beard, spur and skull cap mount is ideal. The taxidermist removes these parts and arranges them on a wooden plaque. Price for a basic beard/spur/skull mount is typically around:

• $225

Full Strut and Flying Turkey Mounts

For more dramatic, eye-catching displays, many hunters opt for a full strut or flying turkey mount. These poses require more meticulous work to position the wings, tail, body and head in a natural position.

Full strut mounts often have the turkey fanned out and standing on a rock or log base. Expect to pay $750 or more for a pro-quality standing strut mount with base.

Flying turkey mounts have the bird semisuspended as if in flight, wings outstretched. These intricate mounts start around $1,000 and go up from there depending on pose and other factors.

Other Turkey Mount Options

• Tail/beard/wing mount – displays just the turkey’s wings, fan and beard ($400)

• Turkey rug mount – taxidermy method that lays the back skin and tail flat like a rug ($400)

• Head/neck mount – severed trophy that focuses on the head and neck feathers ($300+)

What Impacts the Cost of a Turkey Mount?

Several factors go into the final price of a custom turkey taxidermy mount. Some key considerations include:

• Size of the turkey – A mature tom with an 11-inch beard and over 1-inch spurs will cost more to mount than a younger “jake” turkey.

• Number of poses – Simple standing poses are cheaper than full flying mounts or multi-turkey habitat scenes. Each additional pose adds expense.

• Mount materials – Taxidermists charge more for handcrafted real wood/stone bases versus simple panels.

• Habitat background – Elaborate scenes with painted backgrounds, rocks, stumps, etc. cost much more.

• Taxidermy experience – Top taxidermists can command higher pricing for pro-quality, artistic work.

• Geographic location – Prices range widely based on where you live and the cost of business overhead. Urban shops charge more than rural ones.

As you can see, turkey taxidermy costs span a wide gamut. The final price comes down to the specifics of your desired mount and the level of quality you want. When researching studios, look for one that offers plenty of customization options and has a portfolio showing artistic, accurate work.

Estimated Costs of Common Turkey Mounts:

Turkey shoulder mount (strut pose): $400 – $625

Turkey tail/beard mount: $225 – $350

Turkey wing/tail/beard mount: $350 – $500

Full flying turkey mount: $750 – $1,200+

Turkey scene in habitat: $1,000+

Getting Your Tom Mounted Affordably

Here are some tips for keeping turkey taxidermy costs in check:

• Scout pricing from several local/online studios before deciding where to take your bird. Look for hidden fees too.

• Opt for a simpler pose – standing or simple flying positions are cheaper than multi-bird scenes.

• Skip fancy bases or backgrounds if you’re on a budget. A simple driftwood, log or panel base keeps costs down.

• Provide good documentation like quality photos of your harvested bird for reference. This minimizes back-and-forth and revisions.

• Carefully package and freeze the turkey ASAP after harvest, with the head/fan properly supported and protected. This preserves more feathers for the taxidermist to work with.

• Ask about discounts for multiple mounts – some studios offer deals if you get several pieces done at once.

While getting your prized gobbler preserved via taxidermy is an investment, the end result is a stunning work of art showcasing your special hunt. For turkey hunters, a quality shoulder or flying mount is worth every penny when you can admire your trophy for a lifetime.