Matthews Wildlife Art & Taxidormy

Taxidermist in Clever, Missouri

(417) 369-21111045 Riverview Rd, Clever, MO 65631View on Yelp

About Matthews Wildlife Art & Taxidormy

Matthews Wildlife Art & Taxidermy serves hunters and outdoor enthusiasts in Clever, Missouri, a small community in the heart of Ozark country where deer hunting and fishing are deeply rooted traditions. The studio blends artistic craftsmanship with technical precision, making it a natural fit for sportsmen across Christian County and the surrounding southwest Missouri region. Clever sits close enough to Springfield to draw clients from a wider metro area, but it maintains a local, personal feel that big-city shops can't replicate. If you've got a trophy worth keeping, this is a shop worth calling.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Matthews Wildlife Art & Taxidermy handles the full range of work you'd expect from a serious studio, including whitetail deer shoulder mounts, full body mounts for predators like coyotes and bobcats, and fish reproductions that capture realistic color and fin detail. Bird mounts, from wild turkey to waterfowl, are also part of the lineup, with careful attention to feather positioning and natural pose. Skull cleaning services prepare European mounts cleanly and without odor damage. Antler mounting options give hunters a simpler display choice when a full shoulder mount isn't what they're after.

Service Area

Matthews Wildlife Art & Taxidermy is based in Clever, Missouri, and serves clients throughout Christian County, Greene County, and the broader Ozarks region. Hunters and anglers from Springfield and surrounding rural communities regularly make the trip out for quality work. The shop is accessible from Highway 160 corridor towns as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a deer shoulder mount typically take in southwest Missouri?
Most deer shoulder mounts take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on the studio's current volume and the time of year you bring your specimen in. Hunting season creates a rush of drop-offs in November and December, which can push timelines out further.
Do I need to do anything special to prepare my deer before dropping it off?
Yes. You should field dress the deer promptly after the harvest and keep the cape as intact as possible, avoiding cuts near the shoulders or neck. If you can't drop it off within a day or two, freeze the whole cape rather than refrigerating it to prevent spoilage.
Can taxidermists in Clever handle fish mounts, or is that a specialty service?
Fish mounts are a standard offering at most full-service taxidermy studios, including those in the Clever area. You can choose between a skin mount using the actual fish or a reproduction cast, which many clients prefer for trophy catches they want returned to the water.
What's the difference between a reproduction mount and a skin mount for fish?
A skin mount uses the actual fish skin stretched over a foam form, while a reproduction is cast from fiberglass and hand-painted to match your specific fish. Reproductions are more durable over time and allow catch-and-release fishermen to still have a mount made from measurements and photos.
Is a European skull mount less expensive than a full shoulder mount?
Yes, significantly. A European mount, which cleans and whitens the skull and antlers without any hide or form, typically costs a fraction of a full shoulder mount. It's a popular choice for hunters who want a clean, minimalist display or who have multiple bucks to memorialize in a season.
Can I get a full body mount done on a whitetail or wild turkey in this area?
Full body mounts are available from studios equipped for larger projects, though they're more involved and more expensive than shoulder mounts. Wild turkeys are actually one of the more common full body requests in Missouri, since hunters want to capture the full fan, beard, and spur detail in one display.

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