Not ice fishing but....

[Young Blood]

I got my first bull elk last week and am going to get a European mount done on it. I've called two places so far and got quotes of $250 (boiled skull) and $300 (beetle cleaned skull). These prices included being mounted to a piece of wood. I have a guy in Kalispell who will do it for $195 and does awesome job but I would prefer not to have to haul it home over thanksgiving (or try to stuff it in the freezer until then)... any suggestions on a taxidermist in the Billings area that would be closer to the $200 mark and does a nice job? I actually prefer the look of the boiled skull. Thanks!

[chucknduck]

I've had several done by antlers and anglers. They are out at the end of the heights. Think I paid 125 for deer 150 for elk both with nice wood plates. They do good work and got them done in a short amount of time

[missoulafish]

Any thoughts into boiling, degreasing and whitening it yourself?

[fishinwithbrittanies]

^^agreed^^

It's a lot easier than you'd think.  Of course you'd need a propane burner and a LARGE pot that you don't care about.  Those two items might get you to the point where 150-200 is reasonable considering you don't have to deal with it.

[Young Blood]

I'm gonna go check out anglers and antlers work tonight. I've heard he's awesome but really backed up. I don't want to mess my first bull up making my first attempt at it so I'm gonna leave it to the professionals on this one. You only shoot your first bull once and it's been 14 years of hard hunting to finally break the ice! I don't think I would forgive myself if I ruined it!

[missoulafish]

Share a pic when you are done:)

[HVFD14]

Nate at MT Boneheads.  He is in Florence, but makes trips to Bozeman often to pick up and drop off heads there.  $100 and they look dang good.

[missoulafish]

^ Good people too!

[Young Blood]

Here you go missoulafish. Not a monster by any means but a true trophy for me.... I have learned that bull elk do not come easy!!! Dropped the head off at Anglers and Antlers on Monday and they said it should be done by Christmas.

[da man cave shack]

NICE! 

[gso12]

Nice first elk congrats!

[missoulafish]

Nice work YB, doesn't matter if he's a monster or not. Meat in the freezer and a memory for a life time. Congratulations:)