Preference Taxidermy

Preference Taxidermy in Layton, Utah handles the full range of taxidermy work for hunters who want their trophies preserved right. Owner Kurt pours serious attention into every mount—from initial consultation through final detailing—because a half-hearted restoration kills the whole piece.

The workhorse of the industry. Shoulder mounts showcase the head and neck of your trophy without demanding the space or cost of a full-body display. Preference handles:

• •Deer: $1,000
• •Elk: $1,400
• •Moose: $2,900
• •Buffalo: $3,500 (includes replica horns and uro)
• •Other species: Call for quote

Kurt starts with detailed consultation on pose and expression, then meticulously prepares the hide through skinning, fleshing, and tanning. He uses high-quality forms matched to your trophy's species and size, hand-paints and airbrushes facial details (eyes, nose, expression), and finishes with custom plaques and bases.

Full-body displays that show the animal in all its glory—muscular structure, posture, and presence intact. These demand more space and budget, but when you want the complete statement piece, this is it.

• •Minimum: $2,000
• •Call for specifics on species, scenery, positioning, and other details

Kurt custom-positions each mount and handles every anatomical detail so the animal looks like you've captured a moment frozen in time.

Broken tines, cracked antlers, missing pieces, discoloration—these are routine problems with trophy displays. Kurt reconstructs damaged antlers with precision:

• •Broken or cracked antlers: Meticulously repaired and seamlessly mended
• •Missing pieces: Custom-molded and sculpted to match original shape
• •Discoloration: Advanced staining techniques restore original color or apply custom finishes
• •Protective coating: Applied after restoration to preserve the work
• •Cost: $100 per tine (5 inches or more)

Don't DIY this. Off-the-shelf kits cause more damage and cost you twice in the end. Kurt's got the techniques and hand-painting skills to make repairs completely undetectable.

Bear, wolf, and other animals turned into floor displays. Grizzly is the classic choice, but Preference has also worked with black bears, mountain lions, wolves, deer, elk, caribou, and moose.

• •Bear rug: Minimum $1,400
• •Wolf rug: $1,200

Field preparation matters here. Bones, claws, and hooves need careful removal and timing to avoid disrupting the tanning process. Kurt handles this correctly.

Clean, striking wall displays—just the skull and horns, no hide. Great for showcasing quality racks without the footprint of a full shoulder mount.

• •Deer: $200
• •Elk: $250
• •Bear & Wolf: $175
• •Buffalo and other large skulls: $400

Kurt emphasizes affordability without sacrificing quality. In a field where many shops charge heavily for taxidermy work, Preference delivers what he calls the best value-to-quality blend in the Layton area. Turnaround is quick and predictable—no mystery timelines.

Your trophy is a physical record of the hunt. A sloppy mount destroys that memory. Kurt understands this. He:

• •Works directly with you on positioning, pose, and final appearance
• •Uses only high-quality forms, eyes, and materials
• •Hand-paints and air-brushes facial details for realism
• •Meticulously handles every anatomical detail
• •Delivers museum-quality finishes on routine basis

Whether you need damage repair on an existing mount, restoration of aged or stained antlers, or a completely new display from your latest season's harvest, Preference Taxidermy does the work right.

Preference Taxidermy (385) 489-1497 Layton, Utah @kurt_preferencetaxidermy on Instagram