Raw Hide Machinery

Taxidermist in Bethel, Pennsylvania

(484) 425-177520 Samuel Becker Dr, Bethel, PA 19507View on Yelp

About Raw Hide Machinery

Raw Hide Machinery is based in Bethel, Pennsylvania, a township in Berks County positioned between Reading and Harrisburg along the I-78 corridor. Despite the industrial-sounding name, Raw Hide Machinery operates in the taxidermy space and serves the hunting community across a region with strong whitetail deer numbers and active small game seasons. Berks County hunters have access to a mix of state forest land, agricultural fields, and private tracts that produce a wide variety of game each year. The studio's Bethel location puts it within reach of hunters from both the Reading metro area and the surrounding rural townships.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Raw Hide Machinery provides taxidermy work covering the core services Berks County hunters need most. Deer shoulder mounts involve sourcing appropriate forms to match the animal's neck size and musculature, then stretching and setting the cape before final finishing and painting. Antler mounting and European skull preparation give hunters a cost-effective way to display a trophy without the full investment of a shoulder mount. Rug mounts for bear or deer are another option, involving full hide preparation with a felt backing and optional open-mouth head attachment for a dramatic floor or wall display.

Service Area

Raw Hide Machinery serves clients in Bethel Township and across Berks County, including hunters from the Reading area and the rural communities along Route 501 and I-78. Clients from neighboring Schuylkill and Lebanon counties also make the drive given the studio's convenient highway access. The location works well for hunters passing through on their way home from hunting leases in the northern part of the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Raw Hide Machinery handle bear rug mounts?
Bear rug mounts are one of the more complex taxidermy services because bear hides require thorough degreasing and careful attention to paw and ear preparation. A studio experienced with bears will know how to handle the specific challenges, including the head mount detail work that makes or breaks the finished rug.
What's involved in a rug mount compared to a standard shoulder mount?
A rug mount uses the full hide of the animal laid flat with the head mounted in an open-mouth pose at one end. The hide is backed with felt or a similar material, and the head requires its own form and detailed finishing work just like a traditional wall mount.
Can I bring in a deer from a lease in northern Pennsylvania to a Bethel studio?
Absolutely, and many hunters do exactly that on their way home from camps in Potter, Clinton, or Clearfield counties. As long as the animal has the required Pennsylvania harvest tag attached and the cape has been properly prepped, there's no issue with having it mounted locally.
How does the antler mounting process work for a shed or matched set?
Shed antlers can be mounted on a variety of plaques, panels, or velvet boards depending on your preference. If you have a matched set from the same deer across multiple years, some taxidermists can create a custom display that shows the progression of the animal's rack over time.
What should I know about Berks County deer hunting seasons and timing my drop-off?
Pennsylvania's deer seasons run from late October through January, with archery, firearms, and flintlock seasons creating multiple drop-off peaks. Getting your cape in within the first week or two of your harvest, rather than waiting until the end of the season, gives the taxidermist the freshest material to work with.
Are there wildlife laws I should know about before bringing in a specimen?
Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations govern what species can be mounted and possessed, and certain birds like raptors and songbirds are protected under federal law and can't be mounted at all. Your taxidermist can help clarify what documentation you need, but it's always smart to confirm your harvest was legal before dropping anything off.

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