Taxidermist legal options

JDH

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What are some of the legal options to get a mount back from a taxidermist? I dropped off a pronghorn mount about 15 months ago and he said I would get it back within a year. I looked up reviews and they were good. There were a few that said he took a little longer than most but the quality was good. I found out later that those reviews were all before he went through a divorce. The reviews from the past year are all bad. In early March he called me and asked if I would pay in full and he would move me up the list. So I paid, waited a month, stopped by his shop -closed. Stopped by a few days later closed again. Called him he said he had kidney stones issues and would start on it the next week. I've stopped by a couple of other times at different times of the day and his shop is always closed.
Am I screwed? I've thought about disputing the CO charge but I'm afraid the deadline has passed.
 
That's a tough one. I know a fellow HT'er that just got his mule deer back a couple weeks ago and the Taxidermist had it for 17 months. I've always thought there should be some kind of contract involved.
 
A 1 year estimate is just that....an estimate. So 15 months isn't really out of line. However, the closed shop all the time and no communication is not good.
 
Hope you have all documents and receipts... Call the law, get an escort and go retrieve your stuff, its yours and he can not hold it against your wishes.

I've dealt with a few deadbeat taxidermist, its not fun, but unfortunately they are not uncommon either. I lost probably the biggest "trophy" animal I've ever taken due to a taxi flaking out after a divorce, he left the state, then moved around a few times. There are more people than me that would like to knock his front teeth out. Worthless human being. I was patient and waited, and waited, and waited, then... the statute of limitations was up, information was lost and so was my stuff.

Ron Newman is his name, last place he was seen was Colorado Springs.

Don't wait, go get it back! Then take his ass to court and get your money back! You have very, very little protection under the law, and the cops won't do shit, its a civil matter.

Good luck, hope it works out for you.
 
Thanks. I'll call my local CO. If it wasn't for the recent bad reviews and the 3 deadlines that he set up and missed I would not be as agitated. One review said he used the medical issues excuse with him also. When I paid the full amount he had not even ordered the form.
I've got my original stub/receipt for my deposit and a credit card statement. I don't have a call log or anything.
 
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One taxidermist around here (Andres) allows you to hang onto the antlers until he is ready to start the mount. I'd at least try to do that. Try to work with him - money can be difficult/costly to recover, and if you show up with the cops he's probably going to make it difficult as possible.
 
The last thing I want to do is be confrontational with him. An extra month or two isn't worth a hurried mount done by a pissed off taxidermist. I'm going to give it one more try tomorrow before I contact a CO


One taxidermist around here (Andres) allows you to hang onto the antlers until he is ready to start the mount. I'd at least try to do that. Try to work with him - money can be difficult/costly to recover, and if you show up with the cops he's probably going to make it difficult as possible.
 
I wouldn't call it a trophy but a memory of the great experience I had.
 
I have an antelope that has been at a Taxidermist for 18 years. And a couple of deer that have been there longer than 15 years.

A bear at another one that is also more than 15 years.

I really don't think you have much room to be too impatient.





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I have an antelope that has been at a Taxidermist for 18 years. And a couple of deer that have been there longer than 15 years.

A bear at another one that is also more than 15 years.

I really don't think you have much room to be too impatient.





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The only people I know who wait that long are taxidermist, waiting for the opportunity to mount their own trophies.
 
My dad had to go get his deer once after two years. Taxidermist either lost his cape or used it on another deer. He got his horns and a refund, but never did get that deer mounted.
 
I've got my 2012 whitetail still at the taxidermist. I've heard every excuse in the book.
 
Some states require a bond to be a licensed taxi. Just for issues such as this.

Glass eye you nailed the comment on waiting that long to mount your own animals!
 
Get a 7-11 cell phone, call and make an appointment to drop off an animal, then go pick up your head.

I did that with a Mexican Outfitter that kept my trophies and wouldn't answer my calls or emails. While in Baja CA I borrowed a local cell phone and the outfitter picked up the call immediately. However, as soon as I identified myself the outfitter suddenly couldn't hear me anymore.....hello !....hello ! ....hello !
 
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