Ozark Skull Taxidermy

Taxidermist in Carterville, Missouri

(417) 540-6446, Carterville, MO 64835View on Yelp

About Ozark Skull Taxidermy

Ozark Skull Taxidermy is based in Carterville, Missouri, a Jasper County community located just outside Joplin in the southwest corner of the state. The name says it clearly: this shop has carved out a specialty in skull work, a service that's grown in popularity among hunters who want a dramatic, affordable trophy alternative to traditional fabric mounts. The Ozark region surrounding Carterville offers excellent deer, hog, and predator hunting, making skull cleaning a highly relevant service for local sportsmen. Call (417) 540-6446 to find out what they can do with your next harvest.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Skull cleaning and whitening is the signature service at Ozark Skull Taxidermy, and the process involves removing all tissue from the skull through methods like maceration, dermestid beetles, or boiling, followed by a whitening treatment to create a clean, display-ready piece. European mounts, where just the cleaned skull and antlers are displayed on a plaque or panel, are a hugely popular end product. The shop likely also handles full taxidermy services given the regional demand, including deer shoulder mounts, small game, and possibly fish or bird work for Ozark-area hunters and anglers.

Service Area

Ozark Skull Taxidermy serves Carterville and the broader Joplin metro area in Jasper County, Missouri. Hunters from Webb City, Carl Junction, Joplin, and surrounding Ozark communities are all within a short drive of the shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a European mount and how is it different from a shoulder mount?
A European mount displays just the cleaned skull and antlers on a wall plaque or panel, with no hide involved. It's a cleaner, more minimalist look than a traditional shoulder mount and usually costs significantly less while still showing off a great rack.
How does skull cleaning actually work at Ozark Skull Taxidermy?
The most common professional methods are maceration, which soaks the skull in warm water until tissue loosens, or using a colony of dermestid beetles to consume tissue naturally. Both produce clean results, and the taxidermist will choose the best method for your specific animal.
Can you get a skull mount done for animals other than deer?
Yes, skull mounts work beautifully for wild hogs, coyotes, bobcats, elk, bear, and many other animals. Any creature with an interesting skull or notable teeth can make a striking European-style display piece.
How should I prepare a deer skull for drop-off at Ozark Skull Taxidermy?
Remove as much of the neck and skin as you can before drop-off, and keep the skull chilled or frozen. You don't need to do any deep cleaning yourself. The taxidermist handles the detailed tissue removal as part of the service.
Does the whitening process damage the antlers?
The whitening treatment is applied only to the bone itself, not the antlers. Antlers are typically masked or protected during the whitening step to preserve their natural brown tones, which contrast nicely against the white skull.
How long does a skull cleaning and European mount take to complete?
Turnaround for a European mount is generally much faster than a full skin mount, often two to six weeks depending on shop volume and the cleaning method used. It's worth calling (417) 540-6446 to get a current timeline estimate before you drop off.

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