Got Hosed by Taxidermist, NAMING NAMES

06-25-2003, 12:15 PM

Just curious is this guy over by Dayton (HWY18) ???

Bait O' Eggs · 06-25-2003, 12:26 PM

GRB - I know Angelo a local tanner pretty well. He does most of the tanning work local. Some of the taxidermist do tan their own hides, but I stop and BS with Angelo from time to time and he has lots of hides in there from local taxidermist.

If you want I would run down with you and you could get a professionals opinion. He is in Clackamas.

I had him tan my hide when I did up my deer shoulder mount.

Rauly · 06-25-2003, 03:38 PM

Did'nt that hurt BOE.

Rauly

Gun Rod Bow · 06-25-2003, 06:03 PM

Roy,

Give me a call, I need to do something right away. I will probably run out there tomorrow and see what's left.

I also have the elk hide from my daughter's elk bundled up in the freezer and want to have it just tanned. Can he handle a green hide or does it need to be prep'ed.

Thanks for the offer

Rauly

Joe · 06-25-2003, 06:36 PM

Gun Rod Bow,

I think I know exactly who you are dealing with.

I had a California Bighorn mounted two years ago (by a very highly recommended guy) and got the same story. I was told the tannery screwed up his billing and he wasn't sure when he could recover my cape. :shocked: mad: After a lot of encouragement by me he got my cape and finished the job. Shortly after he lost the business. It apperars he wasn't a good money manager and couldn't come up with the money to get all his capes.

A friend took a bear in for a body size mount the same fall and can't even get a return call at this point.

What a bummer! I hope you can work something out. I consider myself fortunate to have my ram on my wall. What a mess.

Now I need to find someone to mount the Antelope I am going to kill this fall and to say the least I am a bit concerned over who to take it to. Any suggestions?

Bait O' Eggs · 06-25-2003, 07:56 PM

Bruce I dont have your number to call you, but you can swing in and talk to angelo. He is in the colonial business park on the south side of HWY 224 headed to estacada from 205, just east of Schwabs.

His price sheet list a tanning price, and he also has a fleshing charge if the hide has meat on it that needs removed.

Little greek guy who imigrated here, and he will talk your ear off if you let him.

Gun Rod Bow · 06-25-2003, 11:10 PM

It's been 2 springs ago since my bud Rich and I took in four (yes 4) bears to have made into 3 rugs and one shoulder mount.

I'm used to waiting longer than promised by taxidermists, so I didn't get too worked up.

I called the guy last week and it was "Oh yah, couldn't find your number, was meaning to call you"...oh crap..."there was some kind of mix up with the tanery and I still got them here, might try tanning them myself". :shocked:

I calmly asked him to sit tight and I'd get back to him. I consider the deposit lost and may plan legal remedy if he doesn't do the right thing.

If there not ruined by freezer burn, I want to pick them up and take them to a reputable guy to evaluate.

Any recomondations?

I purposely did not mention the name, I will after I recover the pelts.

:depressed:

[img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] What a LOSER.

[ 06-27-2003, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: Gun Rod Bow ]

Spotted Owl · 06-25-2003, 11:43 PM

If they have sat in the freezer this long becarefull when you pull them out the hair may be frozen to the freezer. Also if he sent them to the tanner they more than likly thawed out so be careful in spots were the hair is in contact with the hide especialy(sp) if the hide was thawed and then refrozen. Lookat the thin skin for any problems eyes, lips, edges of the nose. Look good at the feet the jelly type stuff in the claw nail will spoil and rot and smell very easily. If you do get them back in good condition from your going over them also have 1 or 2 other taxidermists look at them as well. The guy that I use is down in Eugene if you would like his number for questions send and e-mail or a pm. He is pretty good at what he does. He will also time willing be more than happy to answer all of your questions and tell you other things to look for.
Good luck I hope the hiides are not a total loss.

MarlinMark · 06-26-2003, 04:21 PM

I recommend Snyder Taxedermy in Cornelius. He is just off of TV Hwy. He's done two pieces for me. He is younger. But, not so young that he might fail at his endeavor. He has been doing this for quite a while. At least 12 years that I know of. pm me if you want any details. I would take anything that I could harvest in the U.S. to him with confidence.

Mark

Lured In · 06-26-2003, 08:55 PM

GRB...If for no more than a professional opinion, call Dennis King down in Jacksonville. He is the guy that had the display at the entrance to the Sportsman's Show. He did Bruce's bear last year and the rug turned out great. I have been to his shop and he does awesome artistic work. At the very least, he may be able to offer some more advice on what recourse you may have.

Good luck.

tailchaser · 06-27-2003, 06:16 AM

Probabaly the nicest rugs I've seen done by anyone is by Ron at Timberline Taxidermy in Coquille. Very Very good work and will do anything extra (within reason) and won't charge for it to be a little original if you like.

jp

Gun Rod Bow · 06-27-2003, 04:53 PM

Thanks guys for all the input. Here's the skinny.

First of all, Thanks BOE, I took my kid's elk hide to the greek to tan. He's a gas. Probably do great on flatwork.

Now for the UGLY part

The guy who hosed me is Triple H Taxidermy in Troutdale.

I called and told him I wanted to pick up the pelts. He told me he understood, but couldn't pay me back the deposit right away

and kept trying to talk me into letting him do the work, no way.

I drove out there and picked them up, the whole time he's explaining and asking me to reconsider. After I get them in my truck I tell him he has 90 days to pay me off, or I would seek a legal remedy.

We paid this cluck a $1,200 down payment on 5-2-01 for the work. When I picked them up on Thursday, they were in the same plastic bags, sealed with the same tape we used in BC over 2 years ago.

I'm gonna give this guy a chance to do the right thing. If that don't work, I will press the legal remedy as far as I can.

I decdided to take them to Rick Leach. Not the cheapest, but, top drawer work, excellent reputation. Thankfully, not burned or screwed up. The guy never even fleshed them.

I guess I learned my lesson about "garage taxidermists". The guy had a nice website and good quality work. Lots of work in process. I guess I just expect to be able to take a man at his word.

I know the mods don't like anonymous slams so I hereby stand by these statements. My name is Bruce Polley.

tramp · 06-27-2003, 08:44 PM

Synder Taxidermy has done two peices for me and one for my neighbor. Good Guy, Great Work, No BS.

Applegate · 06-29-2003, 03:40 PM

I would like to also reccomend Dennis King in Jacksonville.He has done 5 shoulder mounts, and several rugs for me. Quality work is not inexpensive, it's priceless.

alwyze fishin · 07-01-2003, 02:09 PM

Synder Taxidermy all the way two shloulder mounts and on bob cat still in his shop geat guy some of the best work i have seen. And with some luck one more shoulder mount and a bear rug going in in september.

Jeff

willierower · 07-07-2003, 07:52 AM

Ron at Timberline Taxidermy in Coquille. He does some of the best work Ive seen.

Lund · 07-09-2003, 08:23 PM

Brian Snyder has done an excelent job for me and several of my friends. He's an avid hunter as well as an awesome taxidermist. Great guy to shoot the bull with.

Best Fishes · 07-11-2003, 06:56 AM

I have known Angelo for many many years. He does most of the tanning for northwest taxidermists. He has got to be the hardest working guy in any industry. He is from the old school where you treat your customers the way you would like to be treated and a handshake means the deal will take place as agreed.

Best Fishes

fishstik · 08-01-2003, 09:22 AM

Synder taxidermy,, hes done a blacktail, bear, and goat for me, price is right, and hes work in my judgement is a 9 out of 10.... hes mounts look alive, i shot my bear in the eye and he did a great job patching it up... he highly recomends not shooting things in the eye though...if you want to get ripped off go to artistic taxidermy never again$$$$$

Sturgeon Tom · 08-01-2003, 10:49 AM

GRB that is the horror story form the dark side. You are a very patient man. After he told you there was a mixup at the tanery and then you found out they never opened the bags. Two weeks would have been enough for me. Guys like this have to learn you can just rip off people. I for one support your actions and for putting this out. Best of luck and keep us informed.
st

dewfish · 08-01-2003, 01:33 PM

I have had several pieces of work done by snyder and i highly recommend him. I will point out to all of you. That you need to be very clear on how, when, pose,. I have a couple bobcats and one is great and the other is a great mount but the face and expression of the cat looks like my house cat. Not what i want in a prey animal.