Taxidermist, how long to wait?

H

horse_men

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Location
Central Alberta
I took my blonde black bear in to a taxidernist local to the area that I was in at the time to get made into a rug. This was in June of 2005. At that time, he said it would be about a year, I figured that was fine and did not think that was an unreasonable amount of time. I called him in July or August of 2006 and he said that he was not yet finished but would be getting to it shortly. Alright I thought, I'll just wait. Around Christmas time of 2006 I called him again and he said that his wife had passed away and he was just getting back to work again. I felt bad for his loss but I want my bear back. I just called him again and he said that he had not yet started on mine but was working on a few others. I am more than a little pissed at this.
Over two years he has had my bear and has not yet started it!! I would like to pick it up but it is about four hours away from me and then I would have to find someone else to finish it. It is supposed to be tanned (it better be and not sitting in a freezer for two years). I am being very patient with him but I really want this done. I gave him his required deposit when I dropped it off, so he has my bear and my money for over two years.
What would you guys do?
 
Make the drive and face-to-face him. Ask to see the hide to see what progress he has made. If none (still in the freezer) ... take it home with you.

If it's been tanned and he's awaiting head/mouth/eyes/ felt backing, make your decision on what you see and the time he says he needs to finish it.

If he wont let you see it or can't otherwise produce the hide ... let him know
you may have to consider litigation to recover your loss.
 
i gotta go with beretta boy.

hopefully in the 2 years he has kept the hide well in the freezer and not left in a pile somewhere so its rotted and is no good anymore.

i would go and see him in person. talk to him then. people dont tend to like talking on the phone about buisness (small places generaly) so its best in person. if he doesent let you see the hide. get a lawyer to write up a letter requesting its sent back and send it registered mail.
 
It shouldn't take longer than a year. As far as I know all hides (at least from Ontario...) have to be sent to Winnipeg for tanning and that usually takes a few months. Don't ask me why but it can take up to 6 months... After that it's up to the taxidermist. IMO, it should not take more than a few months to complete the job, no matter how busy the taxidermist says he is.
 
Sounds like he's stalling. I'd say it's time to pull the plug unless he's got a really good reason for it (which you will find out by doing a face-to-face).
 
I see you are from the Edmonton area, I took one my son shot in Oct of 2005. Same story except the death in the family, it was supposed to take a year, most recently he told me a few more months.

who is the taxidermist?
 
I had a friend take a deer to a well known taxidermist for a head mount and he told him it would be a few months wait. My boss shot a deer took it to the same guy a wk later and paid up front and had his deer back in less than a month. My buddy waited over a yr and half and finally went and got his deer back and told Mr Big Shot to shove his business up his ass.My buddy would have taken lots of business to the guy if he had not screwed him over as money was not a problem for him.
 
I think I will have to take a trip up there. It is very frustrating though. The only reason I left it with him is that I was in the area from work and had no where else to take it when I shot it. It is Diamond Willow Taxidermy near Debolt, AB. I realize that taxidermists and gunsmiths are not know for speedy turn arounds but I believe this is getting ridiculous.
 
Ive never waited more than 9 months for anything....but then again I pay 100 percent upfront so I think that puts one at the front of the line. And top notch work too.

2 years??? he's stalling. FA has been done with your bear. Go get it and take it to someone else.
 
I would have paid up front if I would have had previous dealings with him. Having just met the guy I did not want to do that and am now glad that I didn't, I could just be out more money. I would think that a deposit would be enough to get the job done as has been my eperience from other folks. I will give him another month and then get up there to see what is going on. Thanks for the input guys.
 
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