I'm going on an Axis hunt this weekend for the first time in the central Texas area.

Does anybody have recommendations for a meat processor & taxidermist in the surrounding Austin area? I'd be looking for a shoulder mount & pelt/hide.

I was going to make a few calls tomorrow, but figured I'd check here first to narrow my search.

Tyler at Animal Art Taxidermy in Austin does great work. As for processing Stonewall smokehouse had done great work for us this year.

Hudson Meat Market in Marble Falls is a good place for getting your meat processed. As for taxidermy work, I use Dr. McBride, a vet that owns Burnet Vet. Hospital. IMO, one of the best taxidermist around.

Copperhead is Hudson in Marble Falls the same as the Hudson's in Austin? On south congress..

Wilhunt, yes, same folks with minor changes in their process. Have had good experience with them over the last couple of years, and it's a heck of a lot more convenient than going downtown to Hudson's.

My favorite processor for just butchering (breaking down the animal into steaks/cuts) is Kimble Processing in Junction, TX, but I love Hunter's Creek Processing in Liberty Hill, many years of positive experience with them.

As for taxidermy, I really like Hang 'Em High in Grainger, TX, have had great experience with Daniel.

Thanks Exiled, have used Hudson in the past with good results. Just hated the drive into the Austin area.

Me too, their dropoff during the season is a nightmare! I'm going to take a couple of does (assuming I can find two big ones) to Hudsons, my family loves their bacon-wrapped chop steaks and my wife uses their fresh italian sausage on a lot of different dishes.

you must be pretty special to get Dan to do taxi work ... he is one of the best but I didn't think he took on new clients and even then it's a pretty good wait. I've known Dan since he opened his vet client back in the 1970s and have seen a lot of his taxi work.

Dan is a really good friend of mine, I've known him since the 70's as well. He still takes customers but not very many anymore. He did a 14 pt for me that I shot last year, some of his best work yet.

I stopped using them a few years back after I got sausage that was 3 different colors out of the same batch. You aren't getting your own deer back there I found out and that was the end of it for me. Maybe they have changed but last I heard they still mix everyone's animals.

They don't comingle at the Marble Falls location.

Austin location comingles, cannot verify MF location, but seeing how it’s run by the same people and same process, I’d put money on it.

Good luck sir

And after seeing some of the deer they take in I wouldn’t go near that place. It’s unfortunate because their chop steaks and fajitas are really good.

Dan Lansford "Professional Taxidermy" out of Cedar Park Texas. He has done quality work for me since 1985. When he takes in your animal he will give you a time frame (usually 8 to 9 months) and you can bet you will be getting a call to come pick up your mount. 512-259-4902

I’ve used Highland Lakes Taxidermy on the south end of Marble Falls for taxi work and processing since the 80’s. Haven’t had any need for them for a few years, but noticed they’ve moved into a new,smaller building next door. They always did one deer at a time. On Hwy 281, just north of 71 on the west side of the highway.