TaxidermyXHigh Desert Taxidermy
Taxidermist in Fruita, Colorado
Big Game
Small GameAbout High Desert Taxidermy
High Desert Taxidermy is a taxidermy studio located in Fruita, Colorado, owned and operated by taxidermist Kraig Shammo and serving Western Colorado and the Grand Valley area.
They focus on creating quality, lifelike mounts that help you relive your hunts, with an emphasis on correct anatomy, muscle structure, and custom presentation.
The studio primarily works as a big game and mammal-focused shop rather than an all-species, full-service operation.
Animal Mount Types
big game
- • Elk
- • Fallow deer
- • Whitetail deer
- • Pronghorn
- • Caribou
- • Black bear
small game
- • Grey fox
- • Gray fox
- • Red fox
- • Coyote
- • Bobcat
- • Bobcat rug
Animal Mount Details
High Desert Taxidermy works on big game and other mammals and does not take on fish or bird projects.
You can choose from game head and full-body mounts, tanning work, and custom habitats and bases tailored to each piece.
Owner Kraig Shammo has over 30 years of taxidermy experience and has operated the business for the public since 2004 as a dedicated, full-time studio.
They stress expert craftsmanship, realistic anatomy and poses, and use of top commercial tanneries and supply companies, often altering forms and building custom bases to achieve natural, lifelike results.
Pricing & Turnaround
High Desert Taxidermy offers competitive pricing on custom work and finished mounts for sale, with example prices such as around $1,000 for an elk mount and $600–$800 for various fox and fallow deer mounts, while emphasizing that quality should matter more than choosing the lowest price.
They describe their turnaround times as reasonable, and reviews mention fast, reliable completion, including mounts finished promptly and in as little as about a week in some cases.
They provide custom-built bases and habitats, antler repair, tanning through commercial tanneries, detailed field-care guidance, and finished mounts for sale, all completed in-house by High Desert Taxidermy.
What Customers Say
Reviewers consistently praise the mounts as awesome, phenomenal, and beautiful, including work on elk, European mounts, and bear rugs.
Customers describe Kraig as helpful, patient, and trustworthy, noting that he explains the process, assists with caping and preparation, and earns repeat business and strong recommendations.
Reviews highlight prompt and reliable turnaround, good value for the price, and many repeat customers who consider High Desert Taxidermy their go-to studio.
Find Out More
High Desert Taxidermy operates just outside Fruita, Colorado, serving hunters throughout Western Colorado and the Grand Valley region.
Contact the studio directly to discuss your upcoming hunt, field care, mount options, pricing, and timing, and to plan when to bring in your trophy.
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