Tidewater Taxidermy

They work on big game, small game, birds, fish, reptiles, African game, exotics, and skulls.

You can choose from shoulder mounts, life-size mounts, European skull mounts, rugs, antler and skull-plate work, fish replicas, bird and turkey mounts, and custom pedestal and habitat bases.

Owner Carlton Vacek has hunted and fished all his life, began taxidermy at fourteen, trained at the Pennsylvania Institute of Taxidermy, and opened his own shop with experience spanning African game to freshwater fish.

The studio emphasizes competition-quality materials, fine anatomical details like realistic eyes and inner ear and nose work, and lifelike poses designed as heirloom-quality pieces intended to last.

They publish a detailed price list with example rates such as around $825–$860 for many big-game shoulder mounts, life-size small game starting under $1,000 for some species, ducks around $440, Canada geese around $650–$710, turkeys around $1,300, fish mounts starting at $270 or $24.50 per inch for fiberglass reproductions, bear rugs priced per foot, and European skull mounts for deer starting around $215, with African and exotic species quoted by phone.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at drop-off, most major credit cards are accepted with a 3% convenience fee, and reviews do not provide clear information on typical turnaround times, so you should contact the studio for current scheduling.

They also offer rugs, tanning, antler and skull repairs, removable antlers, custom habitat and pedestal bases, and other restoration and repair work.