Pricing & Turn Around Time
The Bird Zone Experience
Exceptional Work. Thoughtful Process. Proven Experience and Turn Around Time.
Turnaround Time
Our estimated turnaround time is 6–12 months, with your anticipated completion timeframe noted on the pink copy of your work order contract. This will depend on when your bird is dropped off over the 26/27 season. We don't just tell you a timeframe....we deliver! We hear all the horror stories of broken promises out there! Experience the difference!
At Bird Zone, we believe exceptional taxidermy begins with realistic expectations. Our turnaround estimates are based on more than a decade of experience operating a dedicated, full-time bird taxidermy business. We carefully manage our workload to maintain the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that every specimen deserves, all while staying on schedule!
Historically, Bird Zone has consistently completed work on or ahead of our estimated schedule. In the rare instance that a project requires additional time, we believe in proactive communication and keeping our clients informed every step of the way.
When you choose Bird Zone, you are investing in experience, artistry, and a professional process built around the quality of your finished piece.
What’s Included
Every Bird Zone mount begins with a strong foundation of quality and value.
Our base bird pricing includes:
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Wall hanger (ghost hanger) or an artificial driftwood base
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An industry leading short turn around time, with an honest and proven history of hitting that timeframe
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Complimentary open-mouth upgrade, when desired and available for the species and head size
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Professional semi thawed specimen evaluation and consultation ending in a detailed condition report of each specimen along with an educational diagram of what we are looking for
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Expert craftsmanship backed by more than a decade of specializing in artistic bird taxidermy and bird taxidermy instruction
Our listed base price can provide a simple “out-the-door” mount, plus applicable tax, for clients who prefer a clean and classic presentation.
For clients interested in taking their mount to the next level, our showroom will feature an extensive selection of (exclusive to BZT clients only) custom habitat options!
ART AT SCALE
Our 2026-2027 motto is ART AT SCALE!
We believe a great bird mount should be more than a preserved specimen—it should be a piece of art.
Our newly designed showroom was created to make customization easy and inspiring, with a carefully selected range of exclusive habitat elements and artistic enhancements only available to Bird Zone clients. Each option is clearly priced, allowing you to create a presentation that complements your bird, your space, and your personal style. You are going to love it!
From simple elegance to fully immersive habitat scenes, you choose the level of artistry. We bring it to life.
Your Consultation
Every Bird Has a Story. We Help You Preserve It.
Call to schedule your appointment 920-602-7977.
Every bird drop-off includes a semi-thawed specimen consultation. During your approximately 30-minute appointment, we carefully evaluate your bird and discuss the factors that can influence the final result, including:
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Pin feathers
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Shot damage
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Feather condition
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Specimen selection
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Proper care and handling
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Mounting and presentation options
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions before your bird enters the mounting process.
Harvested Multiple Birds on a hunting trip and not sure which is best? Bring them all.
We also offer multiple-bird consultations for hunters who have harvested several birds during a hunting trip. We can evaluate your specimens together and help identify which birds offer the best potential for a premium finished mount.
Simply let us know in advance how many birds you plan to bring so we can reserve enough time for a thorough evaluation.
Experience the Bird Zone Difference
More than ten years of experience. A dedicated artistic bird taxidermy studio. A commitment to craftsmanship. And a process designed around your specimen from start to finish.
Your bird deserves more than taxidermy. It deserves Bird Zone!
Ducks
Dabbling & Diving Ducks: $750 (includes wall hanger or artificial driftwood)
Eider, White Wing Scoter, Common and Red Breasted Merganser : $900
Geese
Snow, Blue, White Front (specks), Cackler, Brandt & Ross : $900
Canada & Emperor : $1100
Canada : 10.99-12.99 pounds $1300
Canada : 13 pounds or larger $1500
Upland game birds & other waterfowl
Pheasant, Grouse, Chukar, Prairie Chicken, Hungarian Partridge, Quail : $750
Wood Cock, Snipe, Moorhen & Rail: $850
Sage Grouse : $1200
Swans & Sandhill Cranes : $2350 (100% Due at Drop Off, birds completed in 90 days guaranteed automatically, You must call to see if we have any slots available for these large birds)
(Note, most swans shot in the USA are heavily pin feathered and do not make the smoothest mounts. Be prepared to choose a dead mount if shot in the central or western USA. If you harvest a late season North Carolina bird, we can discuss other poses.)
Open mouth Swan : $75
Open mouth Sandhill: ask for custom quote...
Ceiling hung : $75
Full wing stretch banking poses, $500 Additional, ask Jeff for details
Turkey
We hope to offer a few turkey spots for the spring of 2027! It all depends on our workload for the waterfowl and upland take in season. Check back for updates on this!
LIMITED EXPEDITED SERVICE : $200 Additional Gets Your Bird Completed in 90 Days Guaranteed. We have LIMITED availability for this service. If interested ask about availability.
All incoming and outgoing work requires an appointment, schedule by calling 920-602-7977. Pick ups only take 5 minutes, but we still want to know you are coming so we can have your mount ready to travel.
Bird Drop Off Instructional Video, Please Watch -> coming soon by 10-1-2026
WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR PRE-SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT:
1. Your specimen semi thawed, ask Olivia for details. Very important...
2. Deposit cash or check $100 per bird, made out to Bird Zone Taxidermy
3. Your Federal Migratory Bird Tags already filled out, click above to download
4. Take screen shots on your phone of your 1st and 2nd desired poses for each bird prior to your appointment
Are you an award winning taxidermist? Yes, but what does that even mean?
Take a look at almost any taxidermist’s website or social media page and you’ll likely see the words “Award-Winning Taxidermist.” It sounds impressive, but as a consumer, it’s important to understand what that phrase actually means.
At a state-sanctioned taxidermy competition, competitors enter individual pieces that are evaluated and given a score and corresponding ribbon. Those ribbons are often proudly displayed in photos, but the ribbon itself can be misleading if you don’t understand the competition system.
Think of it like high school: a blue ribbon may represent an A, red a B, white a C, and so on. A white ribbon marked “third” does not necessarily mean the competitor finished third in the competition. It may simply indicate that the piece received a score within a particular range.
There are also multiple levels of competition, with Masters Division at the highest level, followed by Professional, Commercial, and Amateur.
This is why, if competition experience is important to you, don’t simply look for a ribbon on the wall. Look at the division, the scores, and the competitor’s consistency over time. A single ribbon tells you very little without that context.
Jeff’s competition record speaks for itself. He has earned more than a dozen first-place blue-ribbon scores in the Masters Division, along with numerous other top-level awards for artistic merit, Taxidermist’s Choice, and other honors.
In 2024, Jeff’s two-pheasant entry received Judges’ Choice Best of Show in the Masters Division—the highest overall honor, recognizing the best piece in the entire competition.
We’re proud of these accomplishments, but the real value lies in what they represent: years of study, practice, competition, education, and an ongoing commitment to pushing the standard of bird taxidermy higher.
When choosing your taxidermist, don’t just look for awards. Look for proven excellence.
How to decide on a pose or position of your bird?
Picking out a pose can be one of the most rewarding and fun times. Options are endless. When deciding what type of pose you would like your bird displayed in, please keep in mind, LIVE REFERENCE photos. This means actual photos of live birds. Using a taxidermy photo is not ideal. Using live reference photos is easy and accurate! Will it look exactly like the photo of a live duck that you find? No... each bird has it's own genetic make up such as feather length, loft, color, size, etc. However, having this live reference photo will get your artist an accurate anatomy canvas to pose your bird! Also consider where the bird will be displayed when picking your pose. Will it be on the wall, table top, hanging from the ceiling, etc?
How do you handle a poor specimen for mounting? Naturally we will not know the true condition of your bird until we skin and begin the process. If we encounter major pin feathers, rotten smell, feather slippage, or serious damage that will yield a less than desirable mount, we will inform you immediately. If the bird is not mountable, you will receive a refund of your deposit, minus $50 (covers our time skinning & starting to flesh, and or the missed time due to having only that bird thawed for that days work) Having this happen does cost us money, as we only have one bird in a thawed state at a time. It puts a kink in our busy schedule. By no means do we want this to happen, but please understand it's a small concession for time spent.
Are you licensed?
We are both Federally and State licensed! Don't make the mistake of choosing a taxidermist to mount your migratory birds that are not fully licensed to do so. Ask and look it up to be sure!
Can I use my own driftwood?
Certainly! If you supply your own wood, please ensure that it is bug free. All driftwood must either be deep frozen for 6 weeks or baked in a kiln in order to ensure no bugs are present that WILL eventually EAT your mount! You may not see them, but they are there!
How do you want me to bring the specimen to you?
BRING BIRDS Thawed per Olivia or Jeff's instructions. DO NOT guess on this, ask thaw time per species!
How much do I pay up front?
We collect $100 at drop off. Its a small deposit so we fully expect a prompt pick up after completion. We work hard for your trophy and expect to be paid in full upon completion. Please have your balance of funds available ahead of time, knowing your mount will be completed soon. No mounts can leave BZT's possession until paid in full. No checks at final pick up time. Cash ONLY at pick up.
What happens if I do not pick up my mount in a timely fashion?
Any mounts not picked up within 14 days of completion notification will be charged at $20 per day storage fee. No exceptions apply unless in writing with BZT for a special circumstance. Note... not having the money or being super busy are not special circumstances. Call us if something is up and we can potentially discuss a longer plan with additional fees. Any mounts not picked up within 30 days of completion notification will be the sole property of Bird Zone Taxidermy LLC. We reserve the right to small claims court, OR to disassemble your bird for the parts we have into it, to recoup our loss. Clients agree to pay all costs, late fees, lost labor for court proceedings and court costs if we need to go this route.
Acceptable payment options at drop off?
Check, cash, credit card, venmo
Acceptable payment options at Pick up?
CASH ONLY
Shipping Birds: BZT can accept shipped birds, BUT you must contact the shop and speak to Olivia or Jeff first! DO NOT SHIP BIRDS WITHOUT CALLING!
Disclaimer : Our pricing can change at anytime without notice. We make every effort to keep our pricing updated, however, final price will be discussed at time of specimen drop off with your taxidermist.
