The key on alot of these taxidermist is the tanneries they send it too. This is where the largest hang up is. 6-8 months but my guy only takes in 100 shoulder mounts.

About every good taxidermist I have used has been around 10-14 months out.

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Taxidermist I use has a policy that he does all mounts that are paid in full upfront first. I typically get mine back in 3 to 5 months depending on how early/late in the season I take him animals.

I am betting your taxi also does deer processing as well. He will get to it once folks quit bringing in deer for meat processing.

This what my taxi tells me. It appears they send in a bunch of hides at a time and have to wait till the whole group comes back, they must get a discount on multiple hides. My buck came in with bad timing and had to wait for the next batch to be sent out. At least that is what they say.

We are waiting on my wife's 1st and probably only buck mount, I knew up front it would be 24 months at least, or he said "more than likely". Brian with "hole in the Wall Taxidermy" in Springtown (now closed and moved to his home) He has done several mounts for me from deer to Elk and is one of the best I have used, but it does take some time. He even raised his price trying to thwart business, but many still used him.
I am willing to wait on my wife's buck even though it is frustrating, I know it will be worth the wait.

On the other hand, knew one that, though never mounted a deer for me, everything else was screwed up. Worst thing about it for me, was I really liked him and his wife, but something sure changed. My only javelina I took in to get mounted (mouth open of course), got it back mouth closed and a little $ back, he said the jaw was too bad to use WTF, well either call me, or use a commercial jaw like other Taxis?? Now I have a "rat" looking thing that will never hang on the wall.
AH still has a hide from a buck I paid up front for over 4 years ago. I will never go back to his shop and will never recommend them to anyone period.

Some guy's are great personally, but suck when it comes to business and customer service, sad thing really.

Brian's a good guy and good taxidermist. He taught a kid that I went to school with. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about him. Hopefully, that's not the guy you used, or you can kiss that hide goodbye.

No, Brian has always done me 110% right, it is the "guy" with the shop behind him down the street, that went to

I don't know that guy.

I think some guys seem to forget that your animal is not the only one your taxi has taken in to mount. Your animal is the only one you are concerned about, the taxi is concerned about all the animals they have taken in.

My last one took a little over a year. Like others have said, tanning is one of the big variables. The last guy I used (I'll use him again) takes all of the capes at one time to a tannery somewhere in south TX after deer season. That alone amounts to a several month wait, especially if you take one to him early in the season. If your taxidermist has a lot of business, it wouldn't surprise me a bit it it took 18 months.
A friend of mine took a buck to another taxidermist in my area this season and got it back in about 2 months, but his son is good friends with the taxidermist and the taxidermist does his own tanning.

my point is a cycle of work for a taxidermist is 12 months, so if they're taking longer than 12 months then they are getting behind and will continue to get more delayed unless 1) they raise prices to lower demand 2) work harder or more helpers.

There's a lot of great taxidermists. There's also a lot that don't have their act together.