How Long Does Taxidermy Take?

What to Expect When You Book with Kingston Wildlife Works

If you're a hunter in South Carolina excited to preserve a trophy from your latest adventure, one of the first questions you probably ask is:

“How long will my mount take?”

At Kingston Wildlife Works in Conway, we understand how meaningful that finished mount is—not just as décor, but as a memory preserved for generations.

While taxidermy isn't an overnight process, the wait is well worth it. Here's what you can expect from start to finish when you bring your trophy to us.

Typical Turnaround Times

• Whitetail Deer & Other Mammals: 9 to 14 months depending on when it is brought to us during the season

• Waterfowl & Birds: Around 9 months

These timelines reflect our focus on craftsmanship, not mass production. Every mount is carefully handcrafted for long-term beauty and durability.

Step 1: Skin Prep & Tanning

Once we receive your animal it is skinned off the skull or carcas, turned, and then salted and dried. Then the hide is shipped to a professional tannery. This essential step stabilizes the hide, preventing decay, shrinking, or cracking over time.

Tanning can take 3 to 6 months, depending on the species and current tannery backlog. All birds are done in house.

Step 2: Clay Work & Form Sculpting

When the hide returns from the tannery, we begin sculpting the form and laying in detailed clay work—especially around the eyes, nose, and lips. This is key for accurate anatomy and expression.

Whether it’s a South Carolina whitetail or a Lowcountry black bear, we ensure the form captures the lifelike posture of your trophy.

Step 3: Mounting the Hide

With the form ready, we stretch and place the tanned hide over the sculpture. This part of the process is all about precision—adjusting fit, alignment, and hair patterns.

After mounting, the piece must dry for 3–4 weeks, allowing all materials to cure and set naturally.

Step 4: Finish Work & Painting

The final stage brings your mount to life. This includes:

• Finishing with apoxy

• Airbrushing around the eyes, nose, and ears

• Re-texturing details like nose pads

• Feather grooming (for birds)

• Glossing and final cleanup

We take our time with finish work to ensure every mount is museum-quality.

Why Quality Takes Time

We know it’s tempting to want your mount back fast—but great taxidermy takes time. Every phase, from tanning to finish work, plays a part in preserving the natural beauty of your game.

At Kingston Wildlife Works, our mission is to honor the animal and your hunt, and that’s a promise we take seriously.

Serving Horry & Georgetown County Hunters with Pride

Whether you’re hunting deer, bear, or waterfowl in Horry County, Georgetown County, or the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry, we’re proud to serve you with unmatched quality and care.

➡️ Click here to contact us to learn more about our process and availability.

The Importance of Anatomical Accuracy in Taxidermy: Why Details Matter

When it comes to preserving a hunting trophy, a skilled taxidermist does more than just mount an animal—they capture the essence of that animal, creating a lifelike representation that honors the beauty of nature. For hunters in Horry and Georgetown Counties in South Carolina, where whitetail deer and black bear hunting is a time-honored tradition, the importance of anatomical accuracy in taxidermy cannot be overstated.

At Kingston Wildlife Works, we know that each mount is a work of art that reflects not only the animal’s physical form but also the story of the hunt. Here’s why precise anatomical detail is essential in creating high-quality whitetail deer shoulder mounts and black bear displays.

What is Anatomical Accuracy in Taxidermy?

Anatomical accuracy refers to the precise replication of an animal’s natural form, muscles, bone structure, and even facial expressions. Taxidermists use molds and measurements that closely match the animal’s body, creating mounts that look as lifelike as possible.

This accuracy is particularly important for animals like whitetail deer and black bears, which have distinct physical features and expressions that are familiar to hunters in Horry and Georgetown Counties. An accurate mount captures not only the animal’s physical characteristics but its spirit and presence as well.

Why Details Matter in Whitetail Deer Shoulder Mounts

Whitetail deer are one of the most popular game animals in South Carolina, and their mounts are treasured trophies for hunters across the region. For whitetail deer shoulder mounts, anatomical accuracy is critical because:

• Expression and Posture: Whitetails have a specific look, from the alertness in their eyes to the grace of their neck and head posture. Capturing the exact curve of the neck or the alertness of the ears can bring out the true essence of the animal.

• Muscle Structure: Whitetails are lean and athletic animals, and taxidermists must carefully replicate muscle structure to reflect this physicality. This is especially important when capturing a deer in a semi-sneak or upright pose.

• Antler Positioning: A deer’s antlers are unique and must be carefully positioned to reflect the angle and symmetry that’s natural to the individual deer.

When anatomical details are correctly represented, a whitetail shoulder mount doesn’t just resemble a deer; it feels like a piece of the South Carolina wild.

Precision Matters in Black Bear Mounts

Black bears are a special sight in Horry and Georgetown Counties, with hunters looking to capture the strength and majesty of these incredible animals. When it comes to mounting black bears, anatomical accuracy brings out the unique characteristics that make these creatures so impressive.

• Facial Expression and Musculature: Black bears have specific facial expressions and muscle tones that reflect their power and curiosity. A well-crafted mount will capture the natural bulk and presence of a bear while showcasing its distinct personality.

• Body Positioning: Black bear mounts can vary from standing poses to shoulder mounts, each requiring a unique approach to anatomy. For example, the broad, muscular chest of a black bear is often a focal point and must be realistically captured for a lifelike effect.

• Claw and Paw Detail: Black bear paws are unique, with thick claws and wide pads that add to their distinct look. Attention to these details gives a bear mount the authenticity that hunters and nature enthusiasts appreciate.

Capturing these nuances is especially meaningful for hunters who respect the bear's natural power and majesty.

Why Hunters Value Realism

In areas like Horry and Georgetown Counties, where hunting is a treasured tradition, realism in taxidermy is key. Hunters in these regions have often spent years tracking whitetail deer and black bears, observing their behavior and appearance in the wild. An anatomically accurate mount allows them to preserve those observations and memories in a way that feels true to their experience.

At Kingston Wildlife Works, we understand that each mount represents not only a successful hunt but a deep respect for the animal and the natural landscape of South Carolina. By focusing on anatomical detail, we’re able to honor both the hunter’s journey and the unique beauty of the animal.

The Art and Science of Anatomical Accuracy

Creating anatomically accurate mounts requires both scientific knowledge and artistic skill. Taxidermists must understand the animal’s muscle structure, bone alignment, and natural postures. But it’s not just about anatomy; the artistry lies in capturing each animal’s unique expression, which adds life and personality to the mount.

At Kingston Wildlife Works, we combine our expertise in wildlife anatomy with an artistic touch to produce lifelike, competition-quality mounts. Whether it’s a whitetail deer or a black bear, our team is dedicated to creating mounts that capture every detail, from the tilt of the head to the texture of the fur.

Choosing the Right Taxidermist for Anatomical Accuracy

For hunters in Horry and Georgetown Counties, choosing a taxidermist who prioritizes anatomical accuracy is key to getting a mount that reflects their trophy’s true essence. Look for taxidermists who have experience with local species like whitetail deer and black bears, as they’ll be familiar with the anatomy and expressions of these animals.

At Kingston Wildlife Works, we specialize in creating lifelike mounts that embody the anatomy, expression, and beauty of South Carolina’s most iconic game animals. Whether it’s a whitetail deer shoulder mount or a striking black bear display, our dedication to detail ensures that your mount will be a lasting tribute to the thrill of the hunt and the beauty of South Carolina’s wilderness.