This may have been discussed previously, but I want to know if anyone searches for a taxidermist before needing one? Often I hear bad stories about new hunters getting poor service from a backyard ,part time company,myself included years ago. After that experience a friend told me about my current taxidermist,and before needing him , I went to his shop and saw his work.He turned out to be top notch in my book.He has given me great advice on caping and travel hunts over the years and I consider him a good friend now Years later and many mounts later.But I am curious as to who if any have fallen into the need one tried one trap ; My guys are Mcmicken in Cartersville Ga on Hwy 20.

It was not until I starting going on more expensive hunts that I went and found a good taxdermist before hand. This is due to my experiences with other taxidermists, not to say all were bad. The first thing I ever hand mounted was a whitetail and used the taxidermist recommended by the meat processing plant, everything was good and no problems. Next were some hogs hunted in Alabama and used the taxidermist in Alabama recommeded by the outfitter, the one that did my whitetail had passed away, again no problems. Then after a small hunt here in GA I wanted a eurpoean mount done, so I used one thru a local gun shop. When the mount was done they wanted to charge my double what they quoted, of I course I raised hell and threatened to report them to everyone I could think of and finally got the mount at the quoted price. Then after a hunt in Tennessee, I used the taxidermist recommended by the outfitter. Turned it he was a part-timer and tried to take off with everyone's money. I was finally able to get my mounts my tracking him down and sending him letters with him thinking I was copying them to the local DA. I never sent copies to the DA, but since the amount involved would be a felony just making the letters look like they were going to the DA worked. That was when I finally went and got a taxidermist before any more hunts. I too use Darrel McMicken in Cartersville,GA. Charles Watson in Lawrenceville, GA is good too.

Reputation and honesty combined with excellent work and a fair turnaround (less than a year). The best taxidermists usually charge more and they should! Its a art form. In general good taxidermy is WAY unvalued for what time and skill goes into good work. With the new shipping costs for sending hides to a decent tannery, recieving forms UPS, etc. and gas prices what they are I believe that is going to change on average. If a taxidermist promises to fast of service without extra cost and/or is lower priced than it seems he should be or his average competitor, I say watch out! there are reasons which will most likely cost you more in grief and money later. www.jamesmarsico.com

Darrell McMicken is also my taxidermist and a darn good one--excellent, I would have to say, and as honest and easy-going as you would hope to find. He has a trophy room off his shop where you can see all the trophies he and his dad have taken over the years. Anyone in Georgia--or anywhere else, for that matter--who wants top-notch taxidermy work at fair and reasonable prices should contact McMicken Taxidermy. His specialty is African animals but everything he does is outstanding.

I totally agree Darrell is top notch. Sculptor those are nice Bronze . Glad to see a good one in your area.