Final Flight Taxidermy

Taxidermist in Middlebury, Indiana

(574) 849-67041125 N 1200th W, Middlebury, IN 46540View on Yelp

About Final Flight Taxidermy

Final Flight Taxidermy is based in Middlebury, Indiana, a town in Elkhart County near the Michigan state line and the heart of Indiana Amish country. The name points directly to bird taxidermy, suggesting a focus on waterfowl and upland game birds that are abundant in this part of the state. Elkhart County's agricultural land, wetland edges, and proximity to Lake Michigan's flyway make it a productive area for duck, goose, pheasant, and woodcock hunters. A locally based taxidermist here works with the same birds you're hunting just down the road.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Final Flight Taxidermy focuses heavily on bird mounts, which includes waterfowl like mallard, teal, wood duck, and Canada goose, as well as upland birds like pheasant and wild turkey. Bird mounts involve careful skinning, feather cleaning, form selection, and detailed positioning of wings, head, and tail to achieve a natural pose. Beyond birds, the studio likely handles whitetail deer mounts given Elkhart County's strong hunting culture. Fish reproduction mounts for species caught in local rivers and the nearby St. Joseph River corridor round out the service menu.

Service Area

Final Flight Taxidermy serves Middlebury and Elkhart County, with customers coming in from Goshen, Elkhart, Shipshewana, and communities across northern Indiana. The studio is also convenient for hunters crossing over from southern Michigan who want Indiana-based taxidermy work done locally. Lagrange County customers to the east are also a natural part of the service area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of birds does Final Flight Taxidermy specialize in?
The studio focuses on waterfowl and upland game birds, including mallards, wood ducks, Canada geese, pheasant, and wild turkey. These are the species most commonly harvested by hunters in Elkhart County and the surrounding region.
How should I handle a duck or pheasant immediately after harvesting it?
Don't field dress or gut the bird. Keep it as dry as possible, gently smooth the feathers, and put it in a plastic bag. Freeze it if you won't be dropping it off within a few hours. Rough handling damages feathers and makes the taxidermist's job much harder.
Is Elkhart County a good area for waterfowl hunting?
Yes, the county's mix of wetlands, farm fields, and proximity to the St. Joseph River makes it solid ground for duck and goose hunting. It also sits in a corridor used by migrating birds moving through the Great Lakes region each fall.
Can Final Flight Taxidermy mount a fish from the St. Joseph River?
Yes, river fish like smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish can all be mounted. Bring in your fish frozen or on ice, along with photos taken right after the catch if you want a reproduction. Good reference photos make a big difference in color accuracy.
How long does a pheasant mount typically take compared to a deer shoulder mount?
Pheasant and other upland bird mounts usually take about the same amount of time as a deer shoulder mount, roughly three to five months. The work involved is different but equally detailed, so the timelines are comparable at most studios.
Does the studio serve customers coming from Michigan?
Yes, Middlebury is close enough to the Indiana-Michigan border that hunters from Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties in Michigan sometimes choose a nearby Indiana taxidermist for convenience. It's worth calling ahead to confirm the studio accepts out-of-state customers.

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