T-Basix Taxidermy & Rugmaking

Taxidermist in Tucson, Arizona

5(2 reviews)
(520) 790-10545617 E 30th St, Tucson, AZ 85711View on Yelp
T-Basix Taxidermy & Rugmaking - taxidermy in Tucson, AZ

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About T-Basix Taxidermy & Rugmaking

T-Basix Taxidermy & Rugmaking in Tucson, Arizona holds a perfect 5-star rating, backed by customers who've trusted them with both wildlife mounts and custom rug work. Tucson is surrounded by prime hunting country, from the Santa Cruz Valley to the Sonoran Desert, making quality local taxidermy more than a convenience. The shop's dual focus on taxidermy and rugmaking sets it apart from studios that handle mounts alone. You can reach them at (520) 790-1054 to talk through your project.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

The rugmaking side of this business is a specialty worth understanding. A hide rug typically starts with a tanned pelt, then involves stretching, backing with felt or leather, and finishing with a head mount or a flat open-mouth display. For taxidermy work, the studio likely handles mammals common to southern Arizona hunting seasons, including mule deer, javelina, coues deer, and mountain lion. Full body mounts, shoulder mounts, and skull cleaning are standard offerings that serve both trophy hunters and collectors who want a complete display piece.

Service Area

T-Basix serves Tucson and the surrounding Pima County area, including Sahuarita, Green Valley, and Marana. Hunters coming in from the Catalina Mountains, Mount Lemmon corridor, or the southern Arizona borderlands will find the location accessible. It's also a reasonable drive for customers coming from Sierra Vista or Benson.

Frequently Asked Questions

What animals can be made into rugs in Arizona?
Black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, and javelina hides are commonly used for rug work in the Arizona market. The hide needs to be properly caped and salted in the field to be a good candidate, so it's worth calling the studio before your hunt to get advice on field preparation.
How is a hide rug different from a standard tanned hide?
A finished rug involves additional work beyond tanning, including stretching the hide to a symmetrical shape, adding a fabric or leather backing, and often mounting the head with a detailed open-mouth or closed-mouth pose. The result is a display-ready piece rather than a raw pelt.
What's the best way to prepare a deer cape for a shoulder mount?
Cut the hide well behind the shoulders, leaving extra skin that can be trimmed down rather than running short. Keep the cape cool and get it to the taxidermist as quickly as possible, or freeze it flat if there will be a delay. Avoid cutting too close to the ears or eyes.
Does T-Basix work on coues deer, which are common in southern Arizona?
Coues deer are a popular trophy in the Tucson area given the proximity to prime habitat in the surrounding mountain ranges. A local studio familiar with this species will understand the smaller proportions and detailed facial features that make a quality coues shoulder mount stand out.
How long does rug work typically take compared to a standard mount?
Rug work timelines vary depending on the tanning process and the complexity of any head mount attached to the rug. Simple flat rugs without a head can sometimes be completed faster, while a full open-mouth bear rug with detailed claw work can take several months.
Can I get a skull cleaned and mounted in addition to a hide rug?
Many customers choose to have both a rug and a skull mount done from the same animal, especially with bear or mountain lion. Skull cleaning is typically done through boiling or maceration and can result in a bleached European-style mount or a natural finish display piece.

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