Fifty years of taxidermy, in plain English.
Answers, guides, and field-tested know-how from the bench. Whether you're planning your first hunt or shipping a record-book trophy, start here.
Find what you need, fast.
Twelve topic hubs covering every step from pre-hunt planning to post-pickup care. Click a card to dive in.
Getting Started
Drop-off, deposits, what to bring, what to expect. Your first project, mapped out.
The Process
Twelve stages from skin to shipment — fleshing, tanning, form prep, finish work, final QC.
Timelines & Pricing
Honest answers on cost and schedule, plus the Easy 8 plan and our financing options.
Pre-Hunt & Field Care
Plan the trip, protect the cape, and get the trophy back to camp without losing it.
Care & Maintenance
Humidity, sunlight, dusting, repair — keep a Stehling-built mount looking new for decades.
USDA Imports
Africa, Europe, Asia, the Arctic — paperwork, brokers, CITES, and timing for international trophies.
Shipping
Boxes, foam, freight, and the small details that decide whether your trophy arrives clean.
By Species
Whitetail to bass — the species-specific anatomy, pose vocabulary, and pitfalls of each.
Custom Builds
Driftwood, water scenes, full habitats, and the one-of-a-kind builds that anchor a room.
Museums & Schools
Visitor centers, natural history museums, university collections, outfitter showrooms.
From the Bench
Project diaries, technique notes, and long-form stories behind specific mounts.
Mount Pickup
What to expect when picking up your finished mount — the call, the walk-through, what to bring, and how to load it.
The questions that come up every week.
How long does taxidermy take?+
Standard delivery is typically 12–14 months, with some projects taking longer depending on complexity and season. Read more about pricing & timelines →
How much does taxidermy cost?+
Pricing depends on species, mount style, base/habitat complexity, and customization. We offer the Easy 8 Payment Plan to spread the investment across eight months — no banks, no credit checks. View full pricing →
Do I need an appointment to drop off my trophy?+
No appointment is needed. You can drop off at either of our Wisconsin locations during normal business hours. Bring any harvest tags or license numbers and a few reference photos if you have pose ideas. See our full intake process →
What's the difference between a skin mount and a fish replica?+
A skin mount uses the actual skin of the fish stretched over a custom form. A reproduction is a fiberglass or resin cast painted to match your fish based on photos and measurements — the right call for catch-and-release, saltwater, or exotic species. Compare both methods →
Should I contact Stehling's before my hunt?+
Yes — especially if you're traveling or planning an international hunt. We can help with field care, shipping logistics, and (when applicable) USDA import requirements before you ever leave. Pre-hunt planning guide →
Do you ship finished mounts — or accept them shipped to you?+
Both. We carefully crate and ship finished mounts nationwide, and many out-of-state customers ship capes and specimens to us. The right approach depends on what you're sending and how it's preserved. Shipping details →
The bench is open — one conversation away.
Can't find what you're looking for? Call, text, or send a message. The same family that built the studio answers the phone.