Looking for recommendations for taxidermists for turkeys and any advice on preferred field care techniques. I also wouldn't mind some pictures of mounts you guys have in your house. Do you care for a turkey much like a duck when delivering to taxidermist? The interweb has mixed reviews, seems like some people pre-skin theirs but I'm guessing that's due to size constraints. Also, pricing on a full-strut mount isn't cheap; is this why the fan mount is the most common?

This is my first year turkey hunting and it will be out near Coleman. We've got a ton of turkey but I want to have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to do before I pull the trigger.

EDIT: I would use Pat @ Avian Arts but I believe he is booked from duck season. EDIT: Pat does not do turkeys anyways.

If you have the freezer space the easiest thing to do is double trash bag them and freeze them whole. Flying/strut mounts are awesome but they take up a lot of space and are expensive. If it is a trophy bird go for the full size mount, otherwise the fan mounts are nice.

Define trophy

YOU define the trophy. Don't go by the status quo. If you shoot a jake with a 3" beard, and want to mount him, go right ahead. The trophy is more than size. It's memories preserved that you can look back on years from now and remember that hunt.

That is up to you. A bird with a ridiculously large beard, a bird with multiple beards, etc. Really it comes down to you and if it is a trophy to you. Also depends how much you want to spend.

I know my personal trophy is up to me; I just wanted to know what the industry standard was for beard size, spurs, etc. We've got a lot of different gobblers to choose from but the memory will be that this is going to be my first real spring turkey hunt where I call them in. I've only been on one other legit spring turkey hunt that got screwed up for a myriad of reasons. Outside of that I've shot a couple during fall with my bow but never called a big strutting tom in. I would say the longest beard I've had on camera is probably 10", the longest I've seen in person may push 12" but not sure. I'm assuming weight/size plays a factor as well.

Can anyone recommend a taxidermist near Brownwood or Coleman that they trust and like to use?

I'm interested in a turkey taxi recommendation also. Let's hear em?

I used birdman studios in Trinidad Colorado. Shipped it to him and had it finished in 6 months.
With shipping and everything it was close to $900.

checked with Birdman on timeline on a couple ducks last month and his turn around right now was 18 months.. Went with Avian Arts in Frisco. Birdman does excellent work though.

If you don't mind the drive ALPINE Taxidermy is outstanding! They're doing mine! They aren't cheap but I don't go cheap with my mounts...did it once and have always regretted it!!! They're in south Ft Worth. They have full mounts that literally look like they're alive!