The Back 40 Taxidermy Studio

Taxidermist in Gladwin, Michigan

(989) 824-14091402 M-61, Gladwin, MI 48624View on Yelp

About The Back 40 Taxidermy Studio

The Back 40 Taxidermy Studio is located in Gladwin, Michigan, a name that immediately connects with anyone who hunts or lives a rural lifestyle. "The back 40" is shorthand for the far corner of a property, the wild edge where game lives, which tells you something about how this studio sees its work and its customers. Gladwin County is prime deer, bear, and small game country in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and a studio with this kind of identity is likely deeply rooted in the local hunting culture. Reach the studio at (989) 824-1409 for pricing and scheduling.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Whitetail deer mounts are the core of most Gladwin County studios, including shoulder mounts with a range of form options and European skull mounts for hunters who prefer a cleaner presentation. Black bear hunting is legal and popular in the northern Lower Peninsula, which means bear rug mounts and possibly full-body bear mounts are a realistic part of the service menu here. Small game and upland bird mounts, including squirrel, pheasant, and grouse, appeal to hunters who want to preserve a memorable first harvest or a particularly beautiful bird. Fish reproduction mounts for local catches round out what a full-service rural Michigan studio typically offers.

Service Area

The Back 40 Taxidermy Studio serves Gladwin and the surrounding communities throughout Gladwin County, including Beaverton, Butman, and Cedar. Hunters from neighboring Clare and Midland counties also make use of Gladwin-area studios given the shared hunting grounds. The studio is a practical choice for anyone hunting the public and private lands of mid-Michigan's forested interior.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a habitat display and who typically requests one?
A habitat display places a mounted animal within a recreated natural scene, using artificial foliage, rocks, driftwood, or painted backgrounds to suggest the animal's environment. Museums and educational institutions often commission these for exhibits, but serious collectors and hunters also order them for custom trophy rooms. They take more time and cost more than a standard mount, but the finished effect is genuinely impressive.
Can a taxidermist fix an old mount that's been damaged or faded?
Yes, restoration work is something many studios offer, including repainting faded skin or feather color, reattaching loose parts, and replacing damaged glass eyes. The extent of what's fixable depends on how much the original hide or skin has deteriorated. Bringing in the mount for an in-person assessment is the best way to find out what's realistic.
Is Gladwin County good hunting territory for black bear?
Gladwin County sits in the southern range of Michigan's black bear population, and bear hunting opportunities in the northern Lower Peninsula bring hunters from across the state. If you're fortunate enough to harvest a bear up north and want to preserve it, a studio close to home in mid-Michigan saves you a long haul to find quality work. Bear hides require immediate attention, so knowing where you'll take yours before the season starts is smart planning.
What should I look for when choosing between two local taxidermists?
Ask to see photos of recently completed work in the same species you're having mounted, since skills vary considerably across different animals. Turnaround time and communication style matter too, because a year-long wait with no updates is frustrating regardless of the final quality. A taxidermist who hunts themselves often produces more natural-looking work because they've observed the animal's posture and expressions firsthand.
Do taxidermists in Michigan work on fish caught in local lakes and rivers?
Yes, and mid-Michigan has no shortage of quality fishing on rivers like the Tittabawassee and the lakes of Gladwin County. Bass, pike, walleye, and panfish are all candidates for mounting, though fish need to be frozen quickly after harvest if you're not heading straight to the studio. Reproduction mounts are often recommended for fish over skin mounts due to their longer-lasting color and finish.
What's the best time of year to drop off a specimen to get the fastest turnaround?
Summer and early spring are typically the slowest times for most Michigan taxidermists, which means lower queue volume and potentially faster turnaround. The November firearms deer season creates the biggest annual rush, so anything you can bring in before that window, including early archery season deer, tends to move through faster. Asking the studio directly about their current backlog is always the most reliable way to plan.

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