Wild by Design Taxidermy Studio

Taxidermist in Halifax, Pennsylvania

(717) 896-30641073 S River Rd, Halifax, PA 17032View on Yelp

About Wild by Design Taxidermy Studio

Wild by Design Taxidermy Studio operates out of Halifax, Pennsylvania, a small borough in Dauphin County surrounded by some of the state's best hunting and fishing territory. The Susquehanna River runs nearby, making this area a hotspot for both deer hunters and anglers chasing walleye and smallmouth bass. Local taxidermists in this region understand the specific game species that hunters and fishermen bring in year after year. If you're looking for a studio that knows central Pennsylvania wildlife inside and out, this is a solid place to start.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Wild by Design handles the full range of taxidermy work you'd expect from a studio rooted in Pennsylvania's hunting culture. Whitetail deer shoulder mounts are a staple, involving careful skin preparation, form fitting, and hand-painted detail work to match the animal's original coloring. Fish mounts, either skin mounts or reproductions, preserve your trophy catch with lifelike scales and accurate body positioning. The studio likely also handles bird mounts for turkey and pheasant seasons, along with skull cleaning using maceration or beetle colony methods for a natural, polished finish.

Service Area

Wild by Design serves hunters and anglers from Halifax and throughout Dauphin County, including customers coming in from the Harrisburg metro area to the south. The studio is also within reasonable driving distance for folks in Perry County and northern Lebanon County.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a whitetail shoulder mount take in Halifax, PA?
Most shoulder mounts take anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the studio's current workload and the time of year you bring in your deer. Peak deer season in Pennsylvania means studios often have a backlog from November through February, so plan ahead if you have a timeline in mind.
What should I do with my deer before dropping it off?
Keep the hide and cape as cool as possible after the harvest. Avoid cutting the throat or making incisions near the shoulders, and bring the deer in as soon as you can. If you need to wait, cape the deer properly and freeze it in a plastic bag to prevent freezer burn.
Can Wild by Design mount fish caught in the Susquehanna River?
Yes, fish mounts are a common service for anglers in this part of Pennsylvania. You can choose between a traditional skin mount or a fiberglass reproduction, which tends to be more durable and easier to maintain over time.
What is skull cleaning and how does it work?
Skull cleaning removes all soft tissue from an animal skull to produce a clean, display-ready piece. Methods include maceration, which uses water and bacteria, or beetle colony processing, which is slower but very thorough. The result is a natural-looking skull that makes a great display on its own or paired with antlers.
Do taxidermists in Pennsylvania handle wild turkey mounts?
Absolutely. Wild turkey mounts are popular in central Pennsylvania, especially full-strut body mounts that show off the bird's fan and beard. You'll want to handle the bird carefully after the harvest to protect the feathers, and transport it in a breathable bag rather than plastic.
What's the difference between a skin mount and a reproduction for fish?
A skin mount uses the actual fish hide stretched over a foam form, while a reproduction is a fiberglass cast painted to match your fish's markings. Reproductions are increasingly popular because they don't shrink or fade over time, and you can release the fish alive and still get a mount made from photos and measurements.

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