Need advice about bobcat mount...

[cruball17]

I would do it for sure. What's his going cat price with habitat?

Says he typically gets $1,200 (minimum) for his cats. I paid a little less because of connections.

[The Texan]

I would let him do it

[cruball17]

Keep the advice coming, have a few more days to decide.

[Grayson]

This. I've seen some Clay's customer pieces posted here... even a Bob cat or two and I was unimpressed. Seriously, the level of his competition pieces are second to none. But his customer everyday joe pieces leave ALOT to be desired.

Let him do yours as a competition piece, in any position he wants. You will have a show stopper of a mount for a steal of a price.

Wow. Not what I'd expect if I were "just" a regular joe customer. Not good.

[Cuz]

This. I've seen some Clay's customer pieces posted here... even a Bob cat or two and I was unimpressed. Seriously, the level of his competition pieces are second to none. But his customer everyday joe pieces leave ALOT to be desired.

Let him do yours as a competition piece, in any position he wants. You will have a show stopper of a mount for a steal of a price.

That's a **** shame.

I could be wrong but I truly believe "my" taxidermist does my mount, or joe blows mount, as well as he would do a mount he's turning in at a competition, or a "show quality" mount.
A taxi telling me "I'll really put the extra effort in this mount for you since it's a show piece of mine" wouldn't set good with me personally.

[Texastaxi]

For instance; when I get a dall sheep with my bow, I want a great shoulder mount. Even if the taxi called and offered a free full body mount, I would say no.

Anyone that would pick a shoulder mount, over a life-size mount, on a DALL SHEEP, doesn't deserve a vote in this poll ... assuming you're talking about an Alaskan Dall, not a Texas Dall.

[PondPopper]

Anyone that would pick a shoulder mount, over a life-size mount, on a DALL SHEEP, doesn't deserve a vote in this poll ... assuming you're talking about an Alaskan Dall, not a Texas Dall.

Lol tell him again!!!!

[PondPopper]

That's a **** shame.

I could be wrong but I truly believe "my" taxidermist does my mount, or joe blows mount, as well as he would do a mount he's turning in at a competition, or a "show quality" mount.
A taxi telling me "I'll really put the extra effort in this mount for you since it's a show piece of mine" wouldn't set good with me personally.

Taxidermist cannot spend the same amount of time on commercial work as they do a competition piece. They will go broke. I know guys who have tried this. There is simply to many man hours involved and it can only be one man doing it.

That being said, a good quality customer piece will be dang close to a comp piece. There should be no difference between the 2 from 8 feet away in these eyes of the hunter or public. Now a judge will be a different story. If there is I would question wether or not the same person mounted both pieces.

[Texastaxi]

Taxidermist cannot spend the same amount of time on commercial work as they do a competition piece. They will go broke. I know guys who have tried this. There is simply to many man hours involved and it can only be one man doing it.

That being said, a good quality customer piece will be dang close to a comp piece. There should be no difference between the 2 from 8 feet away in these eyes of the hunter or public. Now a judge will be a different story. If there is I would question wether or not the same person mounted both pieces.

Let me expand on this a bit.

When a judge looks at a mount, get runs his hands over any areas where there might be drumming. He feels the thickness and smoothness of the ears. He looks into the nostrils and ears with a flashlight. He looks for nictating membranes in the eyes. He makes sure he cannot see OR feel a sewn seam. He looks to see that every hair is groomed. He looks for perfect symmetry.

All of these things take extra time. None of these things can be noticed from 2 to 8 feet away, which is what a consumer sees. From that distance, you might not even be able to tell the difference if the two mounts were hanging side by side.

[PondPopper]

Let me expand on this a bit.

When a judge looks at a mount, get runs his hands over any areas where there might be drumming. He feels the thickness and smoothness of the ears. He looks into the nostrils and ears with a flashlight. He looks for nictating membranes in the eyes. He makes sure he cannot see OR feel a sewn seam. He looks to see that every hair is groomed. He looks for perfect symmetry.

All of these things take extra time. None of these things can be noticed from 2 to 8 feet away, which is what a consumer sees. From that distance, you might not even be able to tell the difference if the two mounts were hanging side by side.

Hey you forgot about the 8x opti visor that he or she will use to find any tick or flea out of place. it can get a bit extreme. Especially if it's in the running for best of category or best of show!!

[Cuz]

Let me expand on this a bit.

When a judge looks at a mount, get runs his hands over any areas where there might be drumming. He feels the thickness and smoothness of the ears. He looks into the nostrils and ears with a flashlight. He looks for nictating membranes in the eyes. He makes sure he cannot see OR feel a sewn seam. He looks to see that every hair is groomed. He looks for perfect symmetry.

All of these things take extra time. None of these things can be noticed from 2 to 8 feet away, which is what a consumer sees. From that distance, you might not even be able to tell the difference if the two mounts were hanging side by side.

Makes sense.

[gonehuntin68]

Keep the advice coming, have a few more days to decide.

I wouldn't wait as you never know, he might get a better cat in while he is waiting to hear from you and offer it to them. He might even have friends out trying to get him one right now. I would call him right now and let him know to do it.

[Texastaxi]

I wouldn't wait as you never know, he might get a better cat in while he is waiting to hear from you and offer it to them. He might even have friends out trying to get him one right now. I would call him right now and let him know to do it.

So much for a man's word, huh?

If he says he's going to do it, he will do it.
As already expressed, cats like that don't come along too often.

[Chance Love]

If you really want it on the wall, he can make another base for it after the show to put it on the wall. Not a big deal. But he may charge extra for it.

And yes, there is a LOT more time and effort that goes into a competition piece. If you are getting it for $1200 (or it sounds like even lower) that is a bargain. I think mine start at $1300, and that for commercial work.

Please post pics of the mount when you get it back!