Dana's Taxidermy Animal Artistry

Taxidermist in Sierra Vista, Arizona

(325) 315-2697, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635View on Yelp

About Dana's Taxidermy Animal Artistry

Dana's Taxidermy Animal Artistry is based in Sierra Vista, Arizona, a community in Cochise County surrounded by some of the state's most productive hunting terrain. The Huachuca Mountains, San Pedro River valley, and nearby Fort Huachuca make this area a hub for hunters pursuing coues whitetail, elk, turkey, and waterfowl. Sierra Vista sits close to the U.S.-Mexico border, placing it in one of the most biologically diverse corners of the Southwest. Reach Dana's directly at (325) 315-2697 to talk through your project.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Dana's Taxidermy Animal Artistry provides the hands-on craftsmanship you'd expect from a studio with a personal name behind it. Shoulder mounts for deer, elk, and pronghorn are central to the work, with careful attention to ear positioning, eye set, and natural hide texture. Bird work for turkey, quail, and migratory waterfowl is also part of the mix, given the region's excellent birding and hunting opportunities. Skull cleaning, either through maceration or beetle colonies, produces clean, odor-free bone displays. Fish mounts can be done from the actual skin or cast reproduction for those who want to release their catch and still have a wall-ready piece.

Service Area

Dana's Taxidermy Animal Artistry serves Sierra Vista and the broader Cochise County area, including Bisbee, Tombstone, Douglas, and surrounding communities. Hunters coming from the Huachuca Mountains and the San Rafael Valley find the studio conveniently located for drop-off and pickup. It's also a reasonable drive for clients in the Tucson corridor looking for a studio with personal service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Sierra Vista a good location for a taxidermist?
Cochise County sits in the middle of Arizona's famous Sky Island region, which has some of the highest wildlife diversity in North America. Hunters here pursue coues whitetail, Gould's turkey, javelina, and desert mule deer, all of which benefit from a taxidermist with direct regional experience. The area also draws serious birders and bird hunters, adding to the variety of work a local studio sees.
Can I get a reproduction fish mount instead of using my actual fish?
Yes, reproduction mounts are cast from a mold rather than the actual fish skin, which means you can release your catch and still have a mount made. You'll need accurate length and girth measurements and a good photo for color reference. Many serious anglers prefer reproductions because they hold up better over time and allow catch-and-release fishing.
What should I do with my deer cape in the field to protect it?
Get it cool as fast as possible. Salt the inside of the cape generously if you have it, then bag and chill it. Avoid leaving the cape in a hot truck bed for hours. Hair slippage from heat damage is one of the most common reasons a cape becomes unusable, and it's almost entirely preventable with quick action.
How much does a typical shoulder mount cost in the Sierra Vista area?
Pricing varies based on the species, the pose complexity, and the studio's current rates. Deer shoulder mounts in Arizona typically range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on size and detail level. It's best to call Dana's directly at (325) 315-2697 for current pricing on your specific animal.
What is skull cleaning and which method is best?
Skull cleaning removes all soft tissue from the skull to leave a clean bone display. The two most common methods are maceration (soaking in water over time) and beetle colony cleaning, where dermestid beetles consume the tissue. Both produce quality results. Beetle cleaning is often faster and is preferred for fragile specimens where bone integrity matters.
Do you need to be a hunter to use a taxidermist's services?
Not at all. Collectors, educational institutions, wildlife photographers, and even pet owners bring in work. Roadkill specimens with a salvage permit, museum donations, and wildlife study skins are all things taxidermists regularly handle. The main requirement is that you have the legal right to possess the animal you're bringing in.

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