Little Willy's Wonders Tannery Taxidermy

Taxidermist in Buckley, Washington

2.4(5 reviews)
(360) 829-419031015 120th St E, Buckley, WA 98321View on Yelp
Little Willy's Wonders Tannery Taxidermy - taxidermy in Buckley, WA

Customer Reviews

2.4
out of 5
5 reviews

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About Little Willy's Wonders Tannery Taxidermy

Little Willy's Wonders Tannery Taxidermy is based in Buckley, Washington, a small town at the base of the Cascades in eastern Pierce County, just miles from where serious elk and deer hunters spend their seasons in the White River and Carbon River corridors. The business stands out by combining tannery services with taxidermy, which is a practical and relatively uncommon pairing. They currently hold a 2.4-star rating from 5 reviews, so it's worth having a direct conversation about expectations before committing. Call (360) 829-4190 to talk through your project and get a clear sense of what they offer.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

The tannery side of this business means they can professionally tan and preserve hides separately from the mounting process, which is useful for hunters who want a rug mount, a tanned hide for personal use, or a buckskin project. Standard taxidermy services likely include shoulder mounts and full body mounts for deer, elk, and bear, with the advantage that the tanning is handled in-house rather than sent to a third party. Rug mounts for black bear are a natural specialty given the tannery capabilities, and skull cleaning and antler mounting are likely available as budget-friendly alternatives to full mounts.

Service Area

Little Willy's serves Buckley and the surrounding eastern Pierce County area, including communities like Enumclaw, Orting, and South Prairie. Hunters working the Cascade foothills, the Green River watershed, and the Carbon River drainage make up much of the customer base for this shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between taxidermy and tanning?
Taxidermy involves mounting a specimen to create a lifelike display, while tanning is the process of treating and preserving a raw hide to make it soft, durable, and usable. Tanned hides can be used for rugs, garments, or decorative pieces without mounting on a form.
Can I get just a tanned hide without a full mount?
Yes, if the shop offers standalone tannery services, you can bring in a raw hide and have it tanned for personal use. This is popular with hunters who want to make something with the hide from their harvest rather than display the whole animal.
What goes into a bear rug mount?
A bear rug mount involves tanning and preparing the full skin, including the head, paws, and claws, and then mounting it flat with a felt backing and a finished head with glass eyes and sculpted features. It's one of the more involved rug-style displays and benefits greatly from in-house tannery capability.
How do I transport a large animal like an elk to the taxidermist?
For elk, most hunters bring in the caped hide and antlers separately from the rest of the animal, since transport of a whole elk is rarely practical. The cape should be cooled quickly and delivered as soon as possible, and the antlers can be attached or detached depending on your transport setup.
Is a lower star rating a reason to avoid a taxidermist?
A small number of reviews can skew a rating significantly in either direction, so a handful of ratings doesn't always reflect the full picture. Calling to see finished work in person and talking through your expectations is a better way to assess fit than relying on a low review count alone.
What is involved in an antler mounting as opposed to a full shoulder mount?
Antler mounting typically involves cleaning and preserving the antlers and attaching them to a finished panel or plaque for wall display. It's a much more affordable option than a full shoulder mount and works well for hunters who want to display the rack without the full preservation work.

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