How Long Does Taxidermy Take? Complete Timeline Guide

By MountChief Editorial Team|Updated Mar 2026

The short answer: Most deer shoulder mounts take 8-14 months at a mid-volume shop. Smaller pieces like turkey fans and fish reproductions can be done in 6-12 weeks. Larger, more complex work like full-body bear mounts or African game can take 12-18 months or more.

The wide range surprises most customers, especially first-timers. Here's why timelines are what they are and what you can realistically expect for your species.

TL;DR

Most deer shoulder mounts take 8-14 months at a mid-volume shop.
Smaller pieces like turkey fans and fish replicas can be completed in 6-12 weeks.
Tannery turnaround accounts for 8-12 weeks of the total deer mount timeline.
A shop doing 200+ deer in a season may have a queue of 6-8 months before production even starts.
Elk and bear mounts typically run 10-16 months and 12-18 months respectively.
Digital tracking systems let customers check their mount's current stage without calling the shop.

Why Does Taxidermy Take So Long?

The biggest factor most people don't know about: the tannery.

A deer shoulder mount isn't done in your taxidermist's shop from start to finish. The raw cape needs to be preserved through a chemical tanning process that makes the hide stable and prevents decomposition. Your taxidermist doesn't do this themselves, they ship the raw hide to a professional tannery, which processes dozens or hundreds of hides at a time.

Tannery turnaround runs 8-12 weeks for most shops. Add the wait time before shipping, the transit time, and then the production time after the cape comes back, and eight months passes quickly.

The other factor: queue. A busy shop might take in 200+ deer capes over a six-week deer season. Each one gets processed in order. If you dropped off in late November, you might be number 190 in line.

Timeline by Species

| Species / Mount Type | Typical Range |

|---|---|

| Deer shoulder mount | 8-14 months |

| Elk shoulder mount | 10-16 months |

| Bear rug or full body | 12-18 months |

| Turkey full strutter | 8-12 months |

| Turkey fan mount | 6-10 weeks |

| Duck full-body mount | 8-14 weeks |

| Fish skin-on wall mount | 8-14 weeks |

| Fish fiberglass reproduction | 4-10 weeks |

| European skull mount | 3-8 weeks |

| African game (big cats, antelope) | 12-18+ months |

| Whitetail European skull | 3-6 weeks |

These are typical ranges across mid-volume shops. High-volume operations may run longer. Specialty shops that focus on specific species may be faster in their area of expertise.

Why Shops Run Different Timelines

Taxidermists set their own timelines based on:

Volume: A shop doing 500 mounts per year has a longer queue than one doing 100, if they have the same number of working taxidermists.

Tannery relationships: Different tanneries have different speeds. Some shops use tanneries that run 6-8 week cycles; others use tanneries that run 10-14 weeks.

Species mix: A shop heavy in waterfowl (which doesn't use a tannery) can turn over more quickly than one that's mostly big game.

Production focus: Some taxidermists specialize and work faster in their specialty. A shop known for exceptional deer work may actually be slower because they spend more time per mount.

How to Track Your Mount

Many taxidermy shops now use digital tracking systems. When your shop uses software like MountChief, you receive a tracking link at intake, similar to how you'd track a package. You can check your mount's current stage anytime: intake, at tannery, back from tannery, in production, or ready for pickup.

If your shop doesn't have a tracking system, the honest answer is to call or text them. A good shop should be able to tell you the current stage of your mount within a minute of looking up your record.

What you should expect when you ask about status:

Specific stage (not just "it's coming along")
Approximate timeline to next milestone
Honest acknowledgment if there are delays

What to Do If Your Mount Is Overdue

First, give your taxidermist some benefit of the doubt, tannery delays are real and outside their control, and deer season volume is genuinely unpredictable year to year.

That said, if you're significantly past the original estimate with no communication:

Call or text directly and ask for a current stage update
Ask specifically: "Where is the cape right now, is it still at the tannery, or is it back at your shop?"
Ask for a revised estimate with a reason for the delay
If the shop is unresponsive, check their reviews, delays without communication are a pattern that shows up in feedback

FAQ

Why does my taxidermist say 8-12 months when some shops say 6 months?

Shorter timelines usually mean one of three things: the shop is lower volume and has a shorter queue, they use a faster tannery, or they're being optimistic at intake. A 6-month turnaround is achievable at low-volume shops or shops with excellent tannery relationships, but it's not typical at shops doing 200+ mounts per year. Ask the shop directly how they arrive at their estimate and what their tannery turnaround is.

Can I pay extra for a faster turnaround?

Some shops offer rush services for an additional fee, typically applied to simpler pieces like European skull mounts or turkey fans. True rush service on a shoulder mount is harder to offer because tannery timing is a fixed variable. If you need a mount for a specific occasion, ask your taxidermist upfront, they may be able to prioritize your position in the finishing queue.

My taxidermist hasn't contacted me in months. Should I be worried?

Extended silence during the tannery portion of the process is normal, there may genuinely be nothing to report while your cape is being processed off-site. However, most professional shops will send some kind of status update at the major milestones: when your cape ships to the tannery, when it returns, and when work begins. If you've had no contact in 6+ months and haven't heard anything when the cape should have returned from the tannery, a direct call to ask for a status update is completely appropriate.

What can I do to speed up my mount's timeline?

Drop off your specimen as early as possible, ideally on the first day of season before a queue builds. Ask upfront whether the shop offers any rush service and at what premium. Ensure your cape or specimen is in excellent condition at drop-off, damaged or slipped hides can add time to the process. Choosing a taxidermist who uses digital systems and communicates at milestones will not speed the work but will make the wait less stressful.

How do I know if my taxidermist is behind schedule?

The clearest sign is when the originally quoted timeframe passes with no contact from the shop. A taxidermist with good communication practices will reach out when the cape ships to the tannery, when it returns, and when work begins. If you are past the original estimate without any contact, call or text the shop and ask specifically which stage your mount is currently in.

Does taxidermy take longer at high-end shops?

Often yes. Shops known for exceptional quality frequently spend more time per mount than volume-focused operations, and their reputation means they have a longer queue. A 14-18 month timeline at a highly regarded shop is not unusual. If quality is your priority for a significant trophy, the wait is typically worth it.

Try These Free Tools

Put these insights into practice with our free calculators and planners:

Sources

National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
Breakthrough Magazine
Taxidermy Today

Get Started with MountChief

Customers who know where their mount stands are far more patient than those left wondering. MountChief's customer portal gives every hunter a live status link at intake, and tannery tracking means you always have accurate information to share. Try MountChief to make the wait better for your customers.