Does anyone have any opinion of the African work coming out of Lyon's & O'Haver of San Diego. I went by their shop a couple weeks ago and their mounts seemed very good to my relatively untrained eye. I am deciding on who I am going to use as a Taxidermist for an upcoming TZN 10 day safari in November. Will be a couple Buff shoulders and the typical bag of PG on a 10 day. Most of the PG will be Euro or shoulders if a very good trophy.

Have any of the Taxidermists (or anyone else who knows good taxidermy) here seen their work? What is their reputation like in the industry? Any insight or comments appreciated. Please no sugar coating, this will be my first Buff and want the mount to look great. I want to hear honest opinions. Alternatively I was considering Lifeform or possibly a talented US Taxidermist.

Their website is;

http://www.lyonsandohaver.com/index.htm

I do not know this taxidermist but I can tell you that "most" of the time the work on the web site or in the showroom of the African taxidermists is not the quality of work recieved by most of the clients. They hire very low wage employees and the success words are speed and volume. Mediocre taxidermy at best. I have recieved capes and skins tanned in Africa that HAD to be retanned here to be mountable, the quaity was unbelievably bad. I am sure there are exceptions and there are also bad shops in the USA no doubt but in the 30 + years I have been in this business the rule is what I have seen and stated. My advise is why take the chance? If you receive bad work back from Africa are you able to go over to the shop in person and complain and get satisfaction? If not have the capes and horns sent to a good shop with a good reputation here in the states. www.jamesmarsico.com

Dang, I misread your post sorry. This shop in California looks like a pretty good business. Its the african shops that I was discussing.

Bulldog,
PM sent to ya.

I've gotten great reports on them from several of my hunting clients.

Over a year ago I sent them a small specialized project. While they've been polite I still can't even get a price quote much less an ETA so I'm getting a little worried. It's probably that it just isn't a priority to them.

Since you're in N. CA why not use Animal Artistry in Reno? Their work is about as good as I've ever seen and they're a lot closer for you to check on.

Kyler

I would rate them as a 10 out of 10. They have done 11 mounts for me and will get all the rest of my African Trophies as I can afford to get them done. They just finished my cape buffalo. Send me a PM and I can show you some of my trophies they have done.

Mike O'Haver and Hughie Lyons have been at this address since around 1947. They really support San Diego SCI. They are a family business and their dealings and reputation are beyond reproach. They are a little expensive, but you get everything you pay for.

Kyler, I go by there about once a month or so - I will be happy to talk to Mike for you, if you want to let me in on your paticulars.

I have family in San Diego so I am there pretty often and may be moving down there in the next year or two so would like to find a good Taxidermist in my (soon to be) home city.

What was the specialized project? Maybe I saw it?

PM sent

Bulldog, I can tell you I have had great experience with Anthony Maxwell. I met Anthony in Africa hunting in 2000 I think and we became good friends. It wasnt until later after returning to the states that I first saw his work. Anyway he has been doing my african stuff ever since. I am in Ohio, he is in California. I pay a little more in shipping but not much in the end. He does great work and I know exactly what I am getting. Here is his contact info:
Maxwell Wildlife Art
2713 Keyes Rd
Ceres CA
95307
phone 209-538-2713
email maxart1986@yahoo.com
He is a great guy, easy to work with, a true artist in every aspect, and last but not least his prices are pretty reasonable. Good quality for a fair price. Check him out, I think you will like what you see. I wish my digital camera was working so I could post a pic of the full mount bushbuck he did for me. Truly awesome!
Mike
ps He has about 10 or 12 more of my animals from this last trip in his shop now. Three trips later and I am still using him. He is doing a wall pedestal of my buff that I want to see real bad. IF you happen to go up there and it is ready I would love to see a pic of it.

What I sent to them was a lilac-breasted roller. It's a little project so it's probably not really worth their time.


Kyler

Bulldog, I would highly recommend Jim Hartsock at Southwest wildlife. His number is 480-661-0372. Web sight is www.swwildlife.com
Great guy and his work is beautiful.....wapiti7

Update on my roller with Lyons & O'Haver: They got back to me today that the head wasn't cleaned properly and they're looking for some feathers to repair it.

I appreciate that they've stayed in communication and it's not their fault if it wasn't preserved to their standards.

Anybody know where I can get some spare lilac-breasted roller feathers ?????

Thanks,
Kyler

Botswana.