White Oak Taxidermy

13/11/2024

Hello fellas 😍

12/11/2024

Here is a how-to video for skinning a deer off the face for shoulder mounting. We've had several inquiries on how to finish the cape out process, so we hope this helps!

Viewer discretion is advised 😉

This is just an easy way to skin a whitetail down off the face. There are a couple other options, but for beginners, this would be an easier choice. This is ...

09/11/2024

Sooo much truth here 👇

“Why does it take so long to get a mount back from the taxidermist?”

I was thinking about this today, as I considered how many people say “you get so much done, Amy! How do you do it!l” and yet still, many of my mounts take over a year to get back.

Let’s consider the one (wo)man taxidermy shop (I do have an apprentice now, that should be a big help moving forward but up until now, it’s me. Hi). This shop that takes in 120 deer heads and 80 assorted small to medium full animals. We will just say, 200 animals overall. “Maybe they shouldn’t take in that many projects” you might say. But it’s hard to be the one to be told “no, I can’t take on your project. Go away”. Two hundred and ONE is the limit, right? One more? That is how it happens. Everyone wants in. Who should I have turned away? Well, I have some stories but that’s another post … 😂

There are 240 “work” days in a year. Monday through Friday. That is not accounting for holidays, any sick time, any emergency situations, any vacation time. I have kids, no I am not working weekends. It is my only time off with them. Life happens, and that whittles that number down to closer to 200.

200 animals, 200 days … a year turnover would mean one project per day. Some take much more time than one day. You DO Believe it takes me longer than that, don’t you? If not, I’d have even more complaining about the cost of taxidermy work. 

When you combine all the time taken, a project is much more than basic assembly. It is:
Time spent on the phone or emails conducting plans with the client
Time spent with clients in the shop selecting pose or listening to “the hunting story 😝”
The entire tanning process done in-shop
Picking out the form, placing supply orders, modifying the form, creating or modifying the habitat scene
Replying to calls or texts sent in the interim : “No, it has only been five months so far. I am nowhere close”
Actual assembly of the animal
Followed by finishing touches, and calling the client

I don’t want to become the taxidermist that’s 2+ years behind —- and I’m not, the oldest thing in my shop currently is 16 months and I’m on it, most full body things being worked on in the next month are @13-14 months booked in so far. But I tell ya what. Im running myself thin to make that happen. Anyone with less of a work ethic WOULD be at that two year mark. But my 10 year old son asked me last week if we would be having a family vacation this year or if I’d just be working all summer. Yeah, buddy. Grab me my notebook, let’s try to pencil that in, if the clients will allow. I know that sounds dramatic but when you feel like you’re “a little behind” already, the thought of wiping a week out of the calendar can be scary.

I am just trying to show a glimpse of how things work in a taxidermy shop. No, I do not spend 365 days on your animal. It spends 364 in the freezer, until it’s time is here! It’s the backlog. The “just checking to see how the animal is doing” when you know we aren’t even to the halfway mark is always funny. He’s in the freezer, like the day he arrived. I’ve come to the conclusion, if a taxidermist is fast, they simply don’t have the backlog and you can take that however you want. Maybe they’re mediocre, maybe they’ve not been in business very long, maybe they have a bunch of employees, or maybe they’re excellent but they’re smart and only took in a few things and said no. I am not in any of those categories 😂

As I open up spots for more bobcats and small game in the upcoming months, I look forward to taking on more work for clients but please give me time to breathe, time to spend more time on your animal, and work it all in! Expecting turnover times of 16-18 months for 2023 intake

02/11/2024

Basic Shoulder Mount Backing Options 👇

When we touch base with you, please use these references to help you make your backing decisions.

Shoulders come with a hanger only, backboard options are at cost. 😁

Specialty mounts such as pedestal mounts or custom options are also available as well. Prices vary.

02/11/2024

European Mount Backing Options 👇

When we touch base with you, please let us know which option you'd like 😁

01/11/2024

Please help us congratulate our 2023-2024, Big Buck Contest Winner!!! Congratulations!!

Excited to see who will take this seasons winnings!!

31/10/2024

We get asked about our gear often 😍 and for that we are grateful!!
I am placing an order for long sleeves, as they have been requested. Please let me know if there is anything particular that you may need for the cooler weather we have coming around the corner 😉
Short Sleeve: $10
Long Sleeve: $20
Hats: $20

31/10/2024

A tad bit of customization 😜

17/10/2024

Big boys

14/10/2024

18/09/2024

18/09/2024

Here's to that box of animal crackers 🤣🤣🤣 ya never know what your gonna get 🐃

I can't wait to touch this beauty up!!!

14/09/2024

Please, please, please...leave it to the professionals, if you're not certain on what to do when capping out your trophy!!!

Below, shows a sample of a wrongly capped animal that was cut up into the brisket area.😫

There will be up-charges for damaged or improperly capped hides.
Anything unsalvageable will require a spare cape at the hunters expense.
Sorry if this seems to be an inconvenience, but this is a huge inconvenience when mounting😔

Careful skinning 😁

13/09/2024

**DEADLINE EXTENDED, UNTIL MIDNIGHT***

😲😲😲😲 A CHANCE TO GET A SHOULDER MOUNT FOR $10 😲😲😲😲

What, the what???

DEADLINE IS EXTENDED, UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!!!
(you must enter for the chance to win 😄)

Forms of payment to register:

https://cash.app/$WhiteOakTaxidermy

https://www.venmo.com/u/WhiteOakTaxidermy

13/09/2024

Holy cow 🤣🤣🤣🤣

13/09/2024

This video!!! 😍 🤩

13/09/2024

This piece was a little one's first take, but let me tell you she was a job!! However, she turned out stunning and the video I received, made it all worth it!!! Video coming up...