Brazos Bend Taxidermy

Brazos Bend Taxidermy is a family-owned taxidermy shop in Richmond, Texas, specializing in trophy preservation for hunters across the greater Houston area and beyond. Owner and lead taxidermist Jason Alderete is a retired Houston Police Department officer who made taxidermy his full-time passion after a 24-year law enforcement career.

The Alderete family's entry into taxidermy came unexpectedly. Daughter Madeline's encounter with a copperhead snake sparked her curiosity about wildlife artistry, and at age 15, she enrolled in the Lone Star State School of Taxidermy in Llano, Texas—the "Deer Capital of Texas." Jason joined her for the summer program and discovered what became his calling. Both completed hands-on training and graduated as certified taxidermists. Today, Madeline works in real estate while Jason runs the shop full-time with his wife Marion.

• •North American mammals (whitetail deer, javelina, coyote, badger, pronghorn)
• •African trophies (blackbuck, nilgai, water buck, blue wildebeest, eland, auodad)
• •Exotic game (axis deer, fallow deer, sika deer, Pere David's deer)
• •Mount styles: Shoulder, pedestal, European (skull cap), life-size habitat mounts
• •Specialty work: Turkey fans with beard and spurs, open-mouth options, novelty taxidermy (custom novelty pieces available)
• •Tanning services for soft hides (axis, bobcat, nilgai, coyote, eland)
• •Custom finishes: Pearlescent glaze, burnished barnwood, custom plates

Pricing is custom per project. Call 832-612-1275 or text Jason at 281-923-3465 for detailed estimates.

• •Attention to detail. Both taxidermists are mentored by some of Texas's best in the field. Jason and Madeline obsess over the smallest details—hide quality, eye setting, ear position, anatomical accuracy. The difference between a decent mount and a show piece is often invisible at first glance, but they see it.

• •Community-focused reputation. The Alderetes live and work in the same community they serve. They treat customers as neighbors, answer phones, return messages, and don't operate on the gruff industry stereotype. Dwight Lyman Moody's quote hangs in their thinking: "If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself."

• •Flexibility. Open by appointment Monday–Thursday (10:30 am–4:00 pm), closed Friday–Saturday, and open most Sunday afternoons (12:00 pm–4:00 pm) for returning hunters. Extended hours available with advance planning. Text or call ahead to arrange drop-off and confirm the studio is staffed.

• •Full-time commitment. This is their passion, not a side hustle. Unlike shops that treat taxidermy as a weekend hobby, Jason works at this every day, which shows in both quality and turnaround.

Located near the George Ranch in Richmond, TX 77469. Serves: - Brazoria County - Fort Bend County (Richmond, Rosenberg, Needville, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Wallis) - Austin County - Harris County (Houston, Katy, Simonton) - Matagorda County

• •Members of the Texas Taxidermy Association, Inc. (TTAI)
• •Both Jason and Madeline graduated from Lone Star State School of Taxidermy
• •20+ years combined experience in wildlife artistry

• •50% deposit required on all mounts
• •100% upfront payment required for tanning services
• •Accepts cash, checks, and all major credit cards
• •Gift certificates and corporate gifts available

If you're caping a deer for shoulder mount, leave more hide than you think you need and cut further back past the shoulders. Keep the cape cold and dry to avoid hide slippage. Unsure? Text or call with photos—they'll walk first-time hunters through it.