oh58,

I'm sure you will get many response all recommending a guy in your area to do your lion. What I can tell you is that geography should probably be your last consideration. You need a taxidermist that specializes in Africa and is particularly talented with cats. The majority of taxidermist do not do good cats.

Atcheson taxidermy in Butte, MT does specialize in African mounts and they do great cats. They have done 2 leopards and a bobcat for me and I've been very pleased. I also have a cougar and another leopard that they are working on. I've seen a couple of life size lion come to life when I was visiting their shop and I was impressed.

Please be careful with whoever you choose because I lion is a trophy of a lifetime and most taxidermists can turn them into roadkill in a heartbeat.

Regards,

Mark

oh58,
Although he is not in your area, we had my husband's lion done by Animal Artistry,Reno Nevada. Upon completion he was shipped to Chicago. We were very happy with the mount. I previously posted photos of the mount under "speaking of lions".

For most hunters, the taking of a lion is a once in a lifetime experience. We wanted to have him mounted by who we believe is the best in the business.

Holly and I use Larry Quinn of American Sportsman Taxidermy in Tallahassee, FL to do all of our African trophies.

He is a real artist and his work is museum quality. Lifesize animals and action scenes involving interaction between a number of animals are his specialty.

Give him a call at 850-576-2477 or visit his website at www.americansportsmaninc.com (his website was not available recently, he may be doing an update).

I visited the trophy rooms of one of his best clients and was amazed by the quality of Larry's lifesize mounts. He has done several hundred lifesize mounts for this customer, including over 20 lifesize lions, around 30 lifesize leopards and not 1, but 2, lifesize bull elephants.

This guy could afford to have his work done by anyone in the world, and he uses Larry!