so i dropped off a nice axis doe hide that i shot back in july, paid 180 to have it done which seemed just a tad high but i didnt mind because this guy has done all some other work for me and has done a good job, i asked around and it usually takes about 6 weeks to get a hide done and i just got mine back yesterday (so that makes it just around 5 months to have it done) if that wasnt frustrating enough the guy had one of my buddies pick it up for me and we specifically skinned this deer with the idea of having it tanned so there was NO DAMAGE at all except a single entry bullet wound from a 25-06 so i figured there wouldnt be to much damage (keep in mind i skinned it almost all the way to the ears with a clean cut and no damage), i get it back yesterday from my buddy that picked it up for me and there is 6 seperate holes all at least bigger than a dime in the hide with about a foot section missing from the neck that is there in the picture i have after i had it skinned... is this normal in getting a hide tanned or do i need to have a chat with the taxidermist? this is my first hide to have done and i havent seen this kind of damage when the hide was as clean as it was when i dropped it off but i figured id ask before i give this guy a pece of my mind!

I have had numerous hides tanned. My opinion is you paid a little much.
Second, I bet they "misplaced" your hide and that one isn't yours. That is why it took the extra time. Just a guess

ya i thought they may have misplaced it as well but i checked the picture and matched the pattern of the fur down the spine and it is my hide but nothing explains the holes and the chunk out of the neck, i guess ill be having a chat with the taxidermist tomorrow

First off 5 months is not to long.
more than likely he sent it off and most tanneries take at 3 months, and there is some prep time and what not. Also the wholes in the hide prob came from the tannery "shaving" the hide. They do this to make it very thin. it is nearly impossible to do this without putting a whole,nick or two in it. And some times a tannery or taxidermist will trim the hide up around the edges to make it more symetrical or pretty.
If the tannery did not shave the hide it would be stiff and not a quality soft tan. Sorry that you are not happy with your hide, i hope that i helped a little. And for an axis hide, yes 180 might be a little to high, but you can find soft tans from 80 to 200 i charge $150

x2

Sounds like whatever tannery he sent it to, their flesher got to excited & nicked it a few times. And it was a bit over priced. s for the time, it all depends on the tannery it was sent to. Some get it back fast, some are slow.

Other hand is IF he tanned the item himself? Then he screwed up & over charged.

That is horrible to hear about your axis hide. It sounds like your taxidermist got a little ahead of himself.

thats what it seemed like to me i found out he did get it sent out to a place in houston to have it done, time really wasnt really my main issue i just figured that it would turn out a bit better for 180... but i guess he cant do much about it just gotta take my hides elsewhere i guess

Besides the cut off part , is it highly plyable and stretchy?

All my hides were sent off to California

You hit the nail on the head. Tanneries do take 3-5 months and sometimes longer in their busy season. The holes in the hide are not uncommon with tanneries. I see it all the time. I also send my capes to be commercially tanned and I am always having to patch hole before I mount a deer. So more than likely it wasn't the taxidermists fault.

If you need any hide tanned in San Antonio area you need to go to "The Nugget Co" $85.00 and takes about 3 weeks. Have been using them for years. Almost all Taxi's take their hides here.

The Nugget Co. is a great tannery with fast turn around and do a great job on rugs!!