Im not sure about the velvet, but as far as good MT taxidermist, Dale Manning with custom birdworks and the Big Game connection is really good, and Crittergitter uses a guy in Bozeman that does really good work as well.
I have one on my 300 RUM not because im a sissy but so i can put lots of rounds through it at the range without the possibility of developing a flinch. The noise is definitely a factor to consider but i generally try to use ear plugs if the situation allows it. In all honesty shooting any gun...
Depends on where they are wanting to go out of, but i have had real good experiances with Saltwater Safari out of Seward (Halibut, Silvers, Ling), and staying out in Cooper landing at the Cooper Landing Fish Camp with Tom Lessard (Trout, and assorted Salmon)