TaxidermyXKodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy | Taxidermy Service Lyle WA
Taxidermist in Lyle, Washington
Big Game
Fish
Birds
Small GameAbout Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy | Taxidermy Service Lyle WA
Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy | Taxidermy Service Lyle WA is a taxidermy studio located in Lyle, Washington that operates as a professional, licensed, family-run shop specializing in skull work and dermestid beetle colonies.
They focus exclusively on high-quality skull cleaning and European mounts using dermestid beetles, serving hunters, taxidermists, museums, universities, and hobbyists.
Animal Mount Types
big game
- • Elk
- • Moose
- • Caribou
- • Bison
- • Brown bear
- • Whitetail deer
fish
birds
small game
reptiles
- • Snake
exotic
- • African game implied via trophy big game contexts
Animal Mount Details
The studio works on skulls from big game, small game, birds, fish, and pets, and also supplies healthy dermestid beetle colonies for other taxidermists and educators.
They specialize in European mounts and professional skull cleaning rather than traditional shoulder or full-body mounts.
Founder Ken Hansen has worked with dermestid beetles since 2005, turned the operation into a licensed business in 2007, and brings a prior 25-year law enforcement career in Alaska to his meticulous, museum-oriented approach.
They emphasize museum-quality, damage-free results with preserved nasal structures, strict quality control, and detailed guidance for both cleaned skulls and beetle colony care.
Pricing & Turnaround
Skull cleaning is priced by species and size, with example rates of about $150 for deer or bear skulls, $200 for elk or brown bear skulls, and $225 for bison or cow skulls, while dermestid colonies range from roughly $60 for 300+ insects to $450 for 5000+, with shipping included on most colonies and discounts on larger or repeat orders.
They typically ship beetle colonies within 2–3 days of payment (often on Mondays and Thursdays) with standard delivery in about 4–5 days, and skulls are returned after cleaning, degreasing, and whitening, with timing dependent on skull size and colony strength rather than a fixed calendar promise.
They provide extensive written instructions, phone and email support, and consulting to help you start, grow, and maintain dermestid colonies, and they hold permits to ship live colonies across the U.S., Canada, and many other countries.
What Customers Say
Reviews highlight consistently clean, white skulls and robust, productive beetle colonies that deliver professional-grade European mounts for both hobby and institutional use.
Customers repeatedly praise Ken’s knowledgeable, patient support, clear instructions, and willingness to answer questions before and long after the sale.
Reviewers describe fair to better-than-average pricing, fast and carefully timed shipping, and reliable performance even on long-distance or extreme-weather deliveries, with any occasional delays explained and resolved.
Find Out More
The shop operates from Lyle, Washington, in the Columbia River Gorge, and serves customers across the region, the U.S., Canada, and other countries through shipped skulls and live beetle colonies.
To move forward, you can contact the studio directly to discuss your skull cleaning project, confirm current pricing, or arrange shipment of a dermestid beetle colony.
View Website