Belden Taxidermy

Taxidermist in Otsego, Michigan

(269) 512-2284281 19th St, Otsego, MI 49078View on Yelp

About Belden Taxidermy

Belden Taxidermy is located in Otsego, Michigan, a city in Allegan County positioned in the southwestern corner of the state between Kalamazoo and the Lake Michigan shoreline. This part of Michigan combines productive agricultural deer habitat with strong turkey populations and access to Kalamazoo River fishing. Hunters and anglers in the greater Otsego area have a lot of reasons to need a skilled local taxidermist, and Belden serves that community directly. Contact the studio at (269) 512-2284 to discuss your project and current availability.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Belden Taxidermy covers the full range of mount types that southwest Michigan hunters and anglers need, starting with whitetail shoulder mounts and full-body deer displays for exceptional trophies. Turkey mounts are common in this region given Allegan County's strong spring gobbler season, and the studio handles fan mounts, full-body standing poses, and flying poses. Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan tributaries produce steelhead, salmon, and brown trout worth preserving, and Belden offers both skin and reproduction fish mounts. Antler and European skull mounts are also available for clients who want a clean, minimalist display without the full hide work.

Service Area

Belden Taxidermy serves Otsego and Allegan County clients, as well as hunters and anglers from Kalamazoo, Plainwell, and Allegan city. The studio also draws clients from neighboring Van Buren and Barry counties. Southwest Michigan's active hunting and fishing community keeps this studio busy throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What turkey mount styles do you offer?
Turkey mounts can be done as fan-only mounts displaying the tail feathers on a plaque, half-body mounts showing the upper bird, or full-body standing and flying poses. Full-body mounts take the most material to work with, so bring the whole bird in for the best options.
Can you mount steelhead or salmon from the Kalamazoo River system?
Yes, migratory trout and salmon from Lake Michigan tributaries are excellent candidates for reproduction mounts. A fiberglass reproduction holds the metallic colors and scale detail better than a skin mount, and it lets you release the fish alive if that's a priority.
How long does a full-body deer mount take compared to a shoulder mount?
Full-body deer mounts are significantly more labor-intensive and typically take longer than shoulder mounts. Expect a timeline that's at least a few months longer, and factor in that studios take on fewer full-body pieces due to the additional time and space they require.
Is there a difference in cost between a reproduction and a skin fish mount?
Prices vary by studio and fish size, but reproductions are often comparable in cost to skin mounts, sometimes slightly higher due to the materials involved. The long-term durability and color retention of a reproduction often makes it the better value over time.
Do you offer antler mounting without the full cape?
Yes, antler mounts on a plaque or panel are a popular option for does, younger bucks, or hunters who prefer a simpler display. European skull mounts, which show the cleaned skull with antlers, are another option that's gained a lot of popularity in recent years.
What should I do if I harvested an animal in warm weather and can't get to the studio immediately?
Get the hide away from the carcass as quickly as possible and place it in a cooler with ice or freeze it. Warm temperatures accelerate hide slippage, which can ruin the cape for mounting. When in doubt, call the studio for advice specific to your situation before doing anything else.

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