I pay my Taxidermist $550 per shoulder mount. He does excellent work but may be pricey to some people. A lot depends on what a person can afford too. I, like many others, look at the smaller details and realism of a Taxidermists work. Some people don't care, they just want it on the wall. I'll pay that much because I want that mount coming back looking the same as the day I harvested it.
I agree completely. You get what you pay for, if you're looking for the lowest price, then you aren't looking for quality. With that being said, I use Northern Pines in Howard City.
If y'all get out Montana way look up my friend Eric. I have seen a lot of this guy's work, in black bear, & both whitetail & muleys. It is crazy good detail work. He's also a heck of a good dude. https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Taxidermist/Bone-Collector-Taxidermy-LLC-400239296837190/#!/400239296837190/photos/pcb.904444566416658/904444546416660/?type=3&source=48&_ft_=mf_story_key.904444566416658:top_level_post_id.904444566416658:tl_objid.904444566416658:content_owner_id_new.400239296837190:throwback_story_fbid.904444566416658age_id.400239296837190hoto_attachments_list.[904444496416665,904444526416662,904444546416660]:story_location.4:story_attachment_style.albumage_insights.{"400239296837190":{"role":1,"page_id":400239296837190,"post_context":{"story_fbid":904444566416658,"publish_time":1539914314,"story_name":"EntStatusCreationStory","object_fbtype":266},"actor_id":400239296837190,"psn":"EntStatusCreationStory","sl":4,"dm":{"isShare":0,"originalPostOwnerID":0},"targets":[{"page_id":400239296837190,"actor_id":400239296837190,"role":1,"post_id":904444566416658,"share_id":0}]}}&__tn__=EH-R