Frequently Asked Questions

No sales tax in Montana. You do not need to pay Montana sales tax on your taxidermy through Atcheson Taxidermy.

Why Atcheson Taxidermy?

Fast Service

• Most head mounts shipped 7 months after we receive them. Rush service under 120 days is available upon request for an additional cost of 40%.
• We use quality materials and latest museum methods.
• We have been in business since 1951. I do not know of a single taxidermist in the United States who has spent more time in the field, local or foreign, studying wild game. Experience is what counts!

Why ship to Butte?

Why not ship to Butte?

Butte, Montana is the location of the Port of Montana, inland port authority and facility, offering the strategic location for Atcheson Taxidermy to gain access to markets and resources worldwide. the Port of Montana is a rail/truck transportation hub and provides our customers the most efficient, lowest cost versatile and responsive shipping services possible in today's market.

• 99% of our business is shipped in.
• No big city confusion.
• We are the crossroads of 2 interstate highways.,/li>
• In-studio assistance for clearance of all foreign trophies.
• Trophies cleared in big cities are usually opened and rummaged through, causing enormous confusion and loss, plus costly storage fees.
• Butte is a better deal!

Shipping Costs

Depending on the trucking company used for the shipment of trophies, our clients receive a discount of 75%. This includes inbound and outbound shipments to and from Atcheson Taxidermy.

How do you ship to Butte?

From Africa or Canada

Just tell your outfitter you want us to do your taxidermy work. You want your trophies to come to us. The outfitter will handle all crating and shipping arrangements. That is part of their job. Have your outfitter contact us, we will help them with arrangements.

Alaska Receiving Station

D&C Expediters
1200 East 76th Avenue, Suite 1228
Anchorage Alaska 99518
(907) 377-9719

Montana and Neighboring States

Place the skin or head in a burlap sack, cardboard box, etc. and ship UPS or FedEx. Most locker plants will ship your trophies for you.

How do you ship to Atcheson Taxidermy?

• Call when you make any shipment.
• You must put your name and address on each item.
• Insure your goods.
• Ship prepaid.

Ship to:

c/o Atcheson Taxidermy
1707 Continental Drive
Butte, Montana 59701, U.S.A.
Phone: (406) 782-0569
Fax: (406) 782-0055
Email: tom@atchesontaxidermy.com

Conditions

Atcheson Taxidermy have been doing taxidermy since 1951

Atcheson Taxidermy guarantee their taxidermy, there are seldom any problems with tanning or shipping; however, the following explains some limitations:

• Taxidermy is completely separate from tanning. How skins tan is the owner's risk and responsibility. Atcheson Taxidermy services are limited to certain things.
• Tanning cost is included in taxidermy charges. If raw skins are received, we send them to a tannery in an unknown condition.
• Atcheson Taxidermy suggests you have nothing tanned unless you plan to process and finish it immediately. Most 'tan only' items need considerable work to be made serviceable. There is no way to determine if a skin will tan well, or at all, regardless of previous care or condition. Some tan, but then fall apart when wet. Most skins tan well.
• A deposit of 50% required on all custom work.
• Goods will be shipped C.O.D. in some cases. Goods left in our hands three months after completion date are subject to storage and interest charges. Atcheson Taxidermy sometimes ship out partial orders as we complete them.
• Atcheson Taxidermy averages 7-8 months completion time.
• Unclaimed goods are sold for mounting charges six months after the completion of order.

• All verbal or written instructions are subject to Atcheson Taxidermy interpretation or alternatives we feel necessary. Do not ship any skins that are not completely legal and proper.
• Due to increased government requirements, certain charges must be added for foreign clearance and handling per shipment $100 to $350.
• Clean, process, and dip swine parts $100.00 per unit plus normal handling charges of items inventoried but not mounted or finished.
• Crate and packing charges: Shoulder mounts approximately 20% of the taxidermy charge for the largest item, then 10% for each additional trophy placed in the same crate. Crates are solid plywood to protect your valuable trophies.
• Life size mounts 12-15% of taxidermy charges.
• Data and prices are subject to change without notice.

Notice

License number, or photocopy of license, or export papers, or some sort of certification stating the the item was legally taken must be in our possession withing 30 days of receiving. Certification form in lieu of license or license number available upon request.

Notice: Foreign Shipments

It is required that a Veterinarian Certificate or shipping accompany most shipments. An exact list of contents with the original bill of landing and export permits must be sent to the consignee. Copies must be attached to the container itself. We must receive the original bill of landing and the contents list and export permits or it is impossible to get the trophies released. Swine parts should be packaged separately.

Atcheson Taxidermy are taxidermists only. Atcheson Taxidermy are not associated with any tannery, shipping agent, broker, or transport company. The owner is the shipper and consignee, and is responsible for any State or Federal permits. Foreign shipments are turned over to Export Brokers. The client, or owner is responsible for all his tanning, initial trophy care, punch marking, processing, and shipping.

It is understood and agreed that the goods are received by Atcheson Taxidermy will not be valued more than the lowest current market value of similar, average item, and that taxidermy is separate of any tanning, shipping, booking or outfitting business. We will use reasonable care but cannot knowing accept goods under any other condition.

Notice: Canadian Shipments

Hunting licenses and necessary export permits are required for importing hunting trophies. Grizzly and black bear may require additional documentation (cites permit) to import into the U.S.A.

Alaska is part of the United States.

Atcheson Taxidermy Recommends

Rugs and Life-size Cuts

These cuts are used for all rug and life sized mounts, except life-size mounts are not cut up the throat. The skull is removed through an incision at the back of the neck, the same as for a head mount. But do not detach the cape from the rest of the skin. Leave hooves or claws attached to the hide. Be sure to skin the tail and toes out to the last joint.

Head Mounts

You must tag and insure all goods. Study diagrams, cut up the back of the neck. Your second cut crosses between the horn bases to form a T. cut the cape very long, at the center or behind the shoulder. Leave plenty of excess skin at the brisket. This is very important. When head, skin, and feet are to be used, preferably leave the skin intact.

As you are removing the skin from the skull, go slow. Be very careful at the eyes. Do not cut off the eyelids. Use your finger as a guide. Cut close to the skull at the lip and the nose.

I suggest you cut behind front legs or leave the hide in one piece.

Saving the skull is not required for head mounts or rugs. Save only the top of the skull with the horns attached. Cut through the center of the eyes. See illustration.

Wash the blood off white sheep capes or hides. Blood stains these animals. Do not shoot them in the neck.

Salting and Preserving

Remove all excess flesh and fat so the salt will penetrate into the hide. Bears require additional attention as they spoil rapidly. The inside of the lips must be split to permit salting.

Salt thoroughly, very thoroughly. Be sure salt reaches into every wrinkle and out to the very edges; force salt around the nose, lips and eyelids. Where the salt doesn't reach, the hair will fall out, especially on the face areas. use about 2 pounds for deer capes - 4 punds for elk capes - 15 pounds for the average black bear. you cannot over-salt a hide. A fine grade of salt is preferable.

The ears shoudl be turned inside out and salted. Do not remove the cartliage.

Turning the ear is quite simple. After the cape is removed, follow up the back side of the ear between the skin and the cartliage. Invert the ear like a sock.

After adequately salting the skin, roll it up and place in a cool, shady spot for at least four hours. If possible, semi-dry the skin in the snade, never in the sun or near a fier, then sack for shipping.

If foul weather deters drying, re-salt and ship s is. If salt is not available, stretch the skin or cape taut. Allow no folds. Attempt to air dry it in a shady area, neber in the sun.

Taxidermy isn't an expense, it's an investment. Many well-mounted trophies are now worth far more than you paid for them.

Repair or replacement to any degree - usually automatic.

If you plan to store any raw or tanned skins be sure they have geen bug proffed with a safe insect repellent. Keep cool and dry. Tanned itesm that are to be mmounted later should be kept in a freezer. Personally, I think it is better to srore dry skin or keep raw skin frozen until you are redy to use it. Old tanned skins often deterioriate. Tan only what you plan to mount.

Montana is a sales-tax free state. You do not need to pay Montana sales tax on your taxidermy through Atcheson Taxidermy.