Suggestions for a taxidermist in British Columbia or Alberta, Canada

[Mikestromg]

Hey guys im hoping somebody can suggest a good taxidermist for doing African mounts in bc or alberta! Ive already been looking at Silver Willow Taxidermy in alberta but would appreciate any other suggestions! thanks.

 

[billc]

I am sure someone will come along with some places. I looked at the website of the place you said and his work looked very nice. Not over painted on the ears or face and has a nice natural look to them with just enough detail to make them look great. If you can stop in to shop to see face to face as picture can make things look better then they are or worse then they are. If his prices are fair I would say he is a safe choice by what I could see.

 

[AB2506]

http://www.swtaxidermy.com/index.php Good reputation. Two of our SCI members have a TV show (Outdoor Quest) and they use Silver Willow.

http://www.sugarcreektaxidermy.ca/ Cody Robbins (Jim Shockey's old cameraman) now has his own TV show (Live 2 Hunt) and he and his wife use Sugar Creek.

I last used Steve Dyck. He doesn't advertise, but he is very good. He is from Cremona, AB.

http://www.artoftaxidermy.com/index.html This guy does incredible birds.

http://www.artistic-taxidermy.com/about-us.html Brian Dobson has been around a long time.

I have gone European and probably will never have another shoulder mount done, just trying to reduce costs, and increase my hunting/firearms/shooting budget.

 

[harden]

Mike , I know Curtis. He's a good taxidermist and knows his craft well. He's got enough experience at African he will do great for you.
And Since Bill Always has to throw in his opinion on Quote "overpainted stuff". Any professional taxidermist like Curtis KNOWS that an animals skin thrown in acid with a ph under 2 for 2 weeks to pickle it , then into a neutralizing solution of an alkaline PH to stop the action then put into a tan to absorb and preserve , then oiled and tumbled , the hair and all the soft tissue is drained of any Color, even the HAIR. it has to be airbrushed or died back to what it was , if not you get drop dull coloration and animals are vibrant colorful and alive. Not Dead drop colors that are gray...Curtis is good and he will take care of you, Tell him I said HI
Real animals and their real colors...that reproduce and anyone that wants the real color back recreates...
Some examples ....Kudu's
They have LOTS of blood runs thru their ears for Cooling as well as Hearing, the MOMENT you kill one the blood flow stops !

Acid eats the hair color out of bushbucks....

Being in the face...ALSO a cooling mechanism and this hair color DIES in ACID TAN.

This NYALA. YEP LOOKS like it's painted...Nope they way GOD made him...Colorful love and beautiful....

 

[billc]

Oh dennis I know I have and opinion and it hurts your feelings for some reason. I don't talk about you anymore so do me a favor and don't talk about me. Opinions are just that and I can have mine on what I like. I care not to ruin this guys post since he asked a question for guys to comment on and get help.

Those are some beautiful pictures you posted by the way nice to see how different each animal is and none look the same.

I think ab2506 gave you some good choices to look at and I would say who ever you pick try to see there work in person if you can.

 

[sheephunterab]

Curtis at Silver Willow has done several African animals for us and we were extremely happy.

 

[harden]

Hope you use Curtis.
And yes indeed everyone has the God Given right to give their opinion , even if it's wrong.
My work African work has been judged by the best and has beaten the best and won the best, and my judges we other taxidermists
I like Curtis's work and ask him he likes mine.

Curtis at Silver Willow has done several African animals for us and we were extremely happy.

 

[Aaron N]

Hey mike, I have also heard great things about silver willow. I have also recently heaed plenty of good things about Alberta taxidermy in new sarepta. Good luck with the search

 

[Rick Cox]

http://www.wildlifetaxidermy.com/ This guy is an artist. The only problem: he doesn't handle African game.

 

[cls]

http://www.artistic-taxidermy.com/about-us.html Brian Dobson has been around a long time.

Good day Sir, Brian has been around a long time and does great work, he did a mule deer for me a couple of years ago, friends of mine have used him for their African mounts that turned out fantastic. If you are in the Calgary area I would check out Taxidermy by Penn, Bruce Strand is the owner operator, he has also been around for a long time and has done a lot of African stuff, a true artist, he's done a few mounts for me. The only problem with most of the good taxidermists in Alberta is the delivery for most you can expect a 1.5 to 2 year turn around.