The ruffed grouse is the king of Wisconsin’s upland birds, and a grouse mount is one of the most satisfying pieces we build. The barred tail fan, the black ruff on the neck, and the mottled gray or red plumage look like the October woods they came from. Stehling’s Taxidermy has been mounting grouse since 1978, and every bird is still done in-house at our Jefferson, Wisconsin studio by Aaron and Austin Stehling.
We ship nationwide, and grouse hunters from Minnesota, Michigan, and the Northeast send us birds every fall. Learn how to ship your bird to us, or drop it off in Jefferson or at our New Franken (Green Bay area) showroom.
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Grouse Mount Poses
Drumming Grouse
The signature ruffed grouse pose: standing on a log with the tail fanned, ruff raised, and wings cupped mid-drum. It shows every feature the species is known for and it is the pose we recommend for a mature gray- or red-phase bird with a full tail.
Flushing / Flying Grouse
Wings open, tail spread, exploding out of the aspen. A flying grouse mounts on a wall bracket and takes up very little space, which makes it a favorite for a cabin or office.
Standing or Walking Grouse
Relaxed and natural on a habitat base of leaves, ferns, or a birch log. The most affordable way to display a grouse and the easiest to put on a shelf.
Pairs and Scenes
A drumming male with a hen, or a grouse and woodcock together on one base, makes a great upland scene for a hunter who chases both.
Grouse Mount Pricing
$575 for any ruffed grouse pose. The same price applies to sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chicken, spruce grouse, chukar, Hungarian partridge, quail, and woodcock. Logs, habitat bases, and multi-bird scenes are additional. Pay in full, 50/50, three installments, or monthly through our Easy 8 Payment Plan. Standard delivery is 12 to 14 months, with rush options at 180, 90, or 30 days. See all pricing.
Field Care for a Grouse Mount
Grouse have thin skin and loose feathers, so how you handle the bird in the first hour matters more than with almost any other species.
- Pick it up by the feet. Never by the neck, and never stuff it in a vest with other birds.
- Keep the dog gentle. A hard-mouthed dog or a good shake can strip the tail feathers you need for a fan.
- Wipe blood immediately with a damp cloth. Put a small piece of paper towel in the beak.
- Don’t gut it. Leave the bird whole.
- Cool it and freeze it. Slide the bird head-first into a nylon stocking or plastic bag, smooth the feathers, squeeze out the air, and freeze. A frozen grouse keeps for months.
- Pick the right bird. A mature bird from late October or November has the fullest tail and ruff. Early-season birds are often still molting.
Grouse Mount FAQ
How much does a grouse mount cost?
$575 for any pose at Stehling’s Taxidermy. Habitat and logs are extra, and interest-free payment plans are available.
Can you mount a grouse that has shot damage to the tail?
Usually. We can repair or replace individual tail feathers. If the tail is badly shot up, a flying or walking pose that does not fan the tail is the better choice.
What is the difference between a gray-phase and red-phase grouse mount?
Only the bird. Gray-phase birds have a gray tail band and body; red-phase birds are rusty brown. We mount both the same way and match the color to your bird.
Do you mount sharptails and prairie chickens?
Yes. All upland birds are $575. See our upland game bird taxidermy page.