Has anyone used brushed country studio? They are a taxidermist, trophy room design etc out of cypress. Curious if they are as good as I'm hearing?

I don't have any experience with them but I am curious what you're getting mounted?

A standard "deer" shoulder mount is hard to differentiate from one taxidermist to the other if they do a good job. Depending on the type of animal, you only have a select number of forms to choose from and the rest depends on the quality of the tannery and the patience of the taxidermist. Sprinkle a little bit of art for the fitting and airbrushing, and you have yourself a mount.

If you're looking for something other than a shoulder mount (pedestal or standard), that's a different story. Birds, full body mounts and critters are much harder to do.

I have not. I've used Major Creations Taxidermy for my last few deer shoulder mounts and have been very happy with the quality of work.

I went by there & wasn't very impressed. Major Creations is what a few of my buddies around here used to use. I take my deer to Bobby Merchant in Bryan and they have started doing the same.

I can't speak to the OP, but I dropped my two deer from this year off with Bobby Merchant in December. I'll let you know this fall how they turned out, but he got lots of high praise.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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A standard "deer" shoulder mount is hard to differentiate from one taxidermist to the other if they do a good job. Depending on the type of animal, you only have a select number of forms to choose from and the rest depends on the quality of the tannery and the patience of the taxidermist. Sprinkle a little bit of art for the fitting and airbrushing, and you have yourself a mount.

If you're looking for something other than a shoulder mount (pedestal or standard), that's a different story. Birds, full body mounts and critters are much harder to do

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I agree with you that are easier, just because they are more common and guys do a lot more of them. But for me, personally, I disagree that there isn't much differentiation between them.

I really think taxidermists are like snowboarders. There are a TON of people who can go down a mountain fast and without falling, and seem to look the part. But there are very few who are actually very good at it, and when you see one the enormous difference is apparent.

For me, there are tons of run of the mill shoulder mounts- they do all look the same. But that obsessive attention to detail, eye for positioning, and a little bit of artistic touch are what sets a mount apart. While the average person can't point to the differences, one mount will make them go "wow"' and the other will get no response.

In the Houston area- I used Conroe Taxidermy for a bull elk, and it is truly impressive. The owner personally walked me though their mounts, and then his private collection to find the exact right position for mine. His advice was opposite of what I went in thinking- and was exactly what I needed in the end. I wouldn't hesitate to use them for anything else. It's worth your time to check them out.

Full size black bear and full size mountain lion.

Conroe Taxidermy for these. With those 2 specifically, call Mike.

Aggie Hunter said:

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Full size black bear and full size mountain lion.

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That's awesome - congratulations! Totally different story knowing that...

My wingman killed a male and female bobcat one evening. He had BrushCountry do full body mounts on them. Turned out real nice.

Aggie Hunter said:

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Full size black bear and full size mountain lion.

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My recommendation would be not to use any taxidermist within Texas for those mounts. Use guys that deal with those animals on a daily basis. Look at Phil Soucy in Montana for the cat. He's the best cat guy in the world. I have a lynx with him right now and when I kill a nice Tom lion, that's where it is going too. You will pay more, but will have a top-tier mount that is as realistic as it gets. For the bear, I'd highly recommend Ben Gilbert with San Juan Wildlife Arts in Colorado. Another outstanding taxidermist that's focused on quality, not quantity. My Russian brown bear is with him right now. These guys just seem to be a step above most everybody else for full body and habitat-style mounts.

My husband has used them a lot in the past. The quality of their work has always been great. However, their turn-around time is very slow and they are very expensive. I think he's found another taxidermist that he is using now.

txaggie02 said:

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Aggie Hunter said:

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Full size black bear and full size mountain lion.

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My recommendation would be not to use any taxidermist within Texas for those mounts. Use guys that deal with those animals on a daily basis. Look at Phil Soucy in Montana for the cat. He's the best cat guy in the world. I have a lynx with him right now and when I kill a nice Tom lion, that's where it is going too. You will pay more, but will have a top-tier mount that is as realistic as it gets. For the bear, I'd highly recommend Ben Gilbert with San Juan Wildlife Arts in Colorado. Another outstanding taxidermist that's focused on quality, not quantity. My Russian brown bear is with him right now. These guys just seem to be a step above most everybody else for full body and habitat-style mounts.

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All of this right here. Phil Soucy is where those two animals should go to.

You won't be disappointed with Bobby.