Has anyone use Dan Martin of Reflections of the wild taxidermy out of deer park Maryland?

[Zach Lape]

Has anyone use Dan Martin of Reflections of the wild taxidermy out of deer park Maryland? Im looking for a taxidermist for my 2023 trip and it looks like he does quality work at a good price.

 

[migrabill]

I am considering using him as well so I searched for him and found your thread. Did you use him? If so, how was it?

 

[gram2117]

I used them for my 2019 trip and have nothing but good things to say about them. Also have stuff with them now from my 2023 trip. Below is the link to my favorite mount he did.

Kudu & Gemsbok & Blue Wildebeest Pedestal Mount Taxidermy

www.africahunting.com

 

[migrabill]

I used them for my 2019 trip and have nothing but good things to say about them. Also have stuff with them now from my 2023 trip. Below is the link to my favorite mount he did.

Kudu & Gemsbok & Blue Wildebeest Pedestal Mount Taxidermy

www.africahunting.com

That mount is GREAT! Thanks for sharing. I am pretty sure now that is who I am going to to with. I'm just waiting for them to price up the worksheet I gave them. Kudu floor pedestal. Gemsbok, Impala, Blesbok 3 in 1 floor pedestal. Blue Wildebeest mounted to a floor shield with spears, a 3-D Zebra wall mount (Like my avatar picture), and a full size Honey Badger. That's my wish list. I know they will be more money than having it done in Africa, but maybe not after figuring in the shipping of 3 floor pedestals.

 

[Zach Lape]

Yes I did end up going with them. I’m waiting for the animals to come out of South Africa so no pictures but they did my New Mexico antelope and did a great job.

 

[PARA45]

I used them for my 2019 trip and have nothing but good things to say about them. Also have stuff with them now from my 2023 trip. Below is the link to my favorite mount he did.

Kudu & Gemsbok & Blue Wildebeest Pedestal Mount Taxidermy

www.africahunting.com

@gram2117, how far does your Eland stick out from the wall? Nice mounts. Thanks!

 

[gram2117]

It sticks out 40 inches and I have it in my office which isn't a huge room to begin with.

 

[PARA45]

Thank you for the info. I have high ceilings, but running out wall room quickly. I was curious, just in case I shoot one on my next safari.

 

[Andrew62]

Dan has done numerous mounts for me including full size black bear, shoulder mount black bear, red stag, he does amazing work. I actually have a black bear with him now being made into a rug. Dan is a quality individual, his wife Missy is a delight as well. I believe Dan has been to Africa 16 times now so he knows what African animals should look like. He pretty much just specializes in African mounts these days.

 

[Zach Lape]

Dan has done numerous mounts for me including full size black bear, shoulder mount black bear, red stag, he does amazing work. I actually have a black bear with him now being made into a rug. Dan is a quality individual, his wife Missy is a delight as well. I believe Dan has been to Africa 16 times now so he knows what African animals should look like. He pretty much just specializes in African mounts these days.

I agree with Dan although he hasn’t done a ton of work for me yet they are both very pleasant to work with. His wife even remember what kinda mounts I was thinking after an over a year

 

[migrabill]

I'm still waiting to hear from them with my cost sheet for my June trip. If the price isn't crazy high, I hope to go with them.

 

[Zach Lape]

They’re definitely on the cheaper end of some of these big shops. When I priced a kudu out when I booked my trip they quoted me over 500 dollars less than a big name shop

 

[Biggamehunter300]

Has anyone heard back from Dan or Missy lately? I might be over reacting but the last time I talked to her was the beginning of December and said she would get with me at the beginning of the year about how I wanted them mounted and get some money from me. I emailed her 10 days ago and no response which is really weird for them to not respond.

 

[Andrew62]

Has anyone heard back from Dan or Missy lately? I might be over reacting but the last time I talked to her was the beginning of December and said she would get with me at the beginning of the year about how I wanted them mounted and get some money from me. I emailed her 10 days ago and no response which is really weird for them to not respond.

I just sent a text to Missy, she found your message in her ‘junk’ folder. She said she’d write you back right away. They’ve mounted many animals for me, I’ve had great success using their services!

 

[gram2117]

That is very odd for them. Missy has alway been great to work with.

 

[Biggamehunter300]

I just sent a text to Missy, she found your message in her ‘junk’ folder. She said she’d write you back right away. They’ve mounted many animals for me, I’ve had great success using their services!

That's awesome thank you! I knew I was probably over reacting about it

 

[Andrew62]

Our mounts are very meaningful to us, I’d be anxious too. On a different note, your post reminded me that they have a black bear of mine that they are making into a rug. Good luck with your mounts!

 

[migrabill]

I just sent a text to Missy, she found your message in her ‘junk’ folder. She said she’d write you back right away. They’ve mounted many animals for me, I’ve had great success using their services!

This has not been my experience. I am told I will be elated with my mounts and that their work is fantastic. But their communication has been less than satisfactory. They are going 9 animals for me. Missy has often said "X will happen by the end of the week and I will let you know when it does." 3 weeks go by - I hear nothing - I email Missy and everything is fine. But I have ALWAYS had to reach out to her. I am a "Nervous Nelly" when it comes to this stuff and I am wishing their communication skills were better. I saw their work at a show and I was SUPER impressed. I wonder if communication is a problem industry wide...

 

[migrabill]

I just sent a text to Missy, she found your message in her ‘junk’ folder. She said she’d write you back right away. They’ve mounted many animals for me, I’ve had great success using their services!

I was supposed to have my written estimate/contract "Right after the first of the year." March 14th - Still don't have it.