Full strut, half strut, gobbling, flying, dead mount, specialty poses. Built on anatomy, finished in the studio, delivered to last generations.
See our newest turkey taxidermy mounts — fresh from the studio. Browse the full strut, half strut, flying, hen and dead-mount displays in our latest gallery.
Fan open, head high. The classic showpiece.
Display tension without the full fan — compact, realistic.
Head stretched, caruncles flushed — captured mid-call.
Wings spread, in flight — ceiling or custom mount.
Feet up on a post or log — the traditional trophy.
Hen with poults, custom habitat, or your vision.
A turkey is one of the hardest birds to mount. Caruncles have to flush the right red. Primaries have to lay in natural rhythm. Beards hang from a specific anchor. We've been mounting turkeys for fifty years and the work has only gotten more exacting — because we've gotten more honest about what “right” looks like.
Every bird comes through the same family-run studio. Same hands. Same standard. Every bird leaves with the anatomy intact, the feathers natural, and the pose true to the moment it was taken.
Any pose, any habitat, any base. We build to what you saw in the woods.
Eastern, Rio, Merriam's, Osceola, Gould's. Grand Slam and World Slam welcome.
Finishing detail most shops reserve for competition birds — standard on every mount.
Use the Mount Builder to see pricing for full strut, half strut, gobbling, flying, dead mount, and specialty setups. No account required.
Jefferson or New Franken. Both locations are full drop‑off and pickup points — bring the bird cool and intact, and we'll take it from there.
Skinning, tanning, fleshing, form fitting, finish detail, and a final showroom walk-through. Most mounts turn in 12–14 months.
Turkeys for taxidermy must come in whole — gutting damages the feathers, skin, and body cavity we need intact.
Into a cooler on ice, or into a freezer within the hour. Heat is the enemy of every feather and every crop.
Don't wad the bird into a bag or truck bed. Keep it laid flat with tail and wings protected — every bent primary is a problem later.
A two-minute call saves hours of repair work. We'll walk you through packing, transport, and drop-off.
Legs and head in one clean bag, large enough the feathers don't fold. Squeeze the air out before freezing.
A few quick photos of the bird in the field help us capture the exact pose, color, and moment later.
“Highly recommend Aaron & Austin at Stehling's! Gave them 5 stars only because I can't give them any more. They recently did a full strut turkey for me and it turned out amazing. Their detail is second to NONE. They absolutely knocked it out of the park — I WILL be back.”
Full strut, half strut, gobbling, flying, dead mount, and specialty setups — including hen with poults, habitat dioramas, and custom client requests. See the pose grid above for the standard six.
Pricing depends on pose, base, and habitat. A full strut on a standard base starts in one range; specialty habitat builds land higher. Use the Mount Builder for a live quote, or call us to talk through what you have in mind.
Most turkey mounts turn in 12–14 months from drop-off to pickup. Complex custom habitats or specialty work can run longer. We give you a specific estimate when the bird arrives.
Don't gut the bird. Keep it cool and laid flat, feathers protected, and call us before doing anything else. Full field care checklist is in the warning block above.
Yes. We handle USDA import clearance for Gould's and other international turkey species — details in the USDA Import section below.
Yes. We offer flexible payment options on most mounts. Call either location and we'll walk you through what's available.
Going after a Gould's in Mexico, or finishing out a World Slam? We're set up to bring your bird through U.S. Customs, USDA quarantine, and straight into our workflow without you touching a form.
A pre-hunt call gets your paperwork started and confirms packing, shipping, and timing on the other end.
We manage the federal quarantine period and clearance documentation so you don't have to coordinate the handoff yourself.
Once cleared, the bird comes directly into the Jefferson studio — same pose options, same turnaround, same finish.
By the time Wisconsin’s third turkey hunting period rolls around, opening-week magic is gone. The big toms have heard a thousand calls, hens are slipping off to nest, and the woods that were thunderous on Day One feel almost eerie. Most hunters tag out in Periods A and B — or pack it in by…
Turkey Taxidermy in Northern Illinois: Cost, Turnaround, and Mount Options If you’re looking for turkey taxidermy in Northern Illinois, you’re probably asking three main questions: How much does it cost? How long does it take? What are my mount options? Most turkey mounts start around $1,400, with turnaround typically 12 to 14 months. Final…
Northern Illinois Turkey Hunting Guide: Best Areas, Tactics, and What to Do After the Harvest Northern Illinois offers some of the best turkey hunting opportunities in the Midwest. With a strong population of Eastern wild turkeys, a mix of hardwood timber and agricultural ground, and plenty of productive edge habitat, it gives hunters a real…
How Long Does Turkey Taxidermy Take? Timeline and Process Explained If you’ve dropped off a turkey — or you’re planning to — you’re probably asking: How long is this actually going to take? The short answer: Most turkey mounts take 12 to 14 months to complete. But that timeline isn’t arbitrary. It reflects the time…
How Much Does Turkey Taxidermy Cost? (Full Pricing Guide) You pulled the trigger on a once-in-a-season bird. Now the question is simple: what does it actually cost to mount a turkey the right way? At Stehling’s Taxidermy, most turkey mounts start around $1,400 and go up from there depending on the pose, habitat work, and…
Turkey Hunting in Southern Wisconsin: Jefferson, Madison & Milwaukee Area Guide Southern Wisconsin offers some of the most consistent turkey hunting in the state. Between agricultural land, hardwood ridges, and river bottoms, areas around Jefferson, Madison, and Milwaukee hold strong turkey populations — but pressure and terrain make strategy important. If you’re hunting southern Wisconsin…
Wisconsin Turkey Season 2026: Dates, Zones, Tips & What Hunters Need to Know The Wisconsin turkey season is one of the most anticipated hunting seasons of the year. With strong bird populations across the state and multiple season periods, hunters have plenty of opportunities — if they understand how the season is structured and how…
Turkey Hunting in Green Bay, Wisconsin: Where to Hunt, Tips & What to Do After the Shot Green Bay and the surrounding area offer some of the best turkey hunting opportunities in northeastern Wisconsin. Between farmland edges, hardwood ridges, and scattered public land, there’s no shortage of birds — but pressure, terrain, and timing all…
What to Do After Shooting a Turkey (Step-by-Step Field Care Guide) You got your bird. Now what you do in the next 30–60 minutes matters more than anything else — especially if you’re even thinking about mounting it. This is where most hunters mess up. They do what they’ve always done with deer or other…
Wisconsin Youth Turkey Hunt 2026: Dates, Tips & What to Do After Your First Bird The Wisconsin Youth Turkey Hunt is one of the best opportunities to introduce young hunters to the outdoors. With lower pressure, a dedicated season, and a focus on mentorship, it’s the perfect time to help youth experience their…
Where to Display a Turkey Mount: Choosing the Perfect Spot in Your Home or Trophy Room A turkey mount is more than just decoration — it’s a reminder of a hunt, a season, and a moment you’ll want to enjoy for decades. Choosing the right place to display your turkey taxidermy plays a…
How Stehling’s Taxidermy Helps with the Entire Gould’s Turkey Process Planning a Gould’s turkey hunt in Mexico is exciting, but the process doesn’t end once the bird is harvested. From export paperwork to USDA import requirements and final mounting, there are several critical steps where mistakes can lead to delays, seizures, or even…
Going on a Gould’s Turkey Hunt in Mexico? Here’s What You Need to Know Planning a Gould’s turkey hunt in Mexico is an exciting goal for passionate turkey hunters — but it comes with unique logistics, legal requirements, and preparation compared to a typical U.S. hunt. Whether you’re chasing a World Slam, a rare…
Bagging the World Slam? How to Import Your Turkey from Mexico to the USA—Legally Don’t let your dream hunt turn into a customs nightmare. Learn the essential, USDA-approved steps for importing Ocellated and Gould’s turkeys from Mexico into the United States—without risking confiscation, fines, or the loss of your trophy. …
From the Field to the Showroom: The Ultimate Turkey Field Care Guide Congratulations on bagging your tom! The adrenaline is pumping, and you’re already picturing that full strut mount in your trophy room. But the work isn’t done yet. In fact, the quality of your final taxidermy mount is determined…
Where to Start Turkey Season Early: Best Southern States for February–March Hunts (2026 Guide) Why Start Turkey Season Early? For many Midwest hunters, spring turkey season can’t come fast enough. With Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois opening later in April, hunters are eager to scratch the itch sooner — and the good…
Top Turkey-Hunting States for Midwest Hunters (2025) If you’re based in the Midwest — like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois or Michigan — but want to travel for a turkey hunt, some states give you a big leg up. Below are states that combine good turkey populations, reasonable access (public or private), favorable seasons,…
Importing Birds from Other Countries Stehling’s Taxidermy is a USDA-approved facility (W10015) for the import of restricted avian species. If you are planning an international hunt, we can assist with both the logistics and the required paperwork to ensure your trophies arrive safely and legally. How It Works 1. Contact…
Turkey Calling: Tips and Techniques Turkey calling is an essential skill for hunters looking to lure these elusive birds into range. Effective calling can make all the difference between a successful hunt and a disappointing one. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of turkey calling, various call types, and provide tips and techniques to…
Youth Turkey Hunting Tips and Tricks Youth turkey hunting is an exciting and rewarding experience that can create lifelong memories for young outdoor enthusiasts. With the right strategies and techniques, young hunters can increase their chances of success and develop valuable outdoor skills. Here are some tips and tricks to help young hunters make the…
Turkey Field Care for Taxidermy : Proper field care of your turkey is very important for the taxidermy process. Before you shoot Headshots are preferred. Avoid shooting the bird multiple times if possible. If feather damage does occur, we can repair it for an extra charge. Spring is the best time to shoot birds for…
Uncover the secrets of successful hunting with the use of hunting blinds. Learn how to blend in with your surroundings and increase your chances of a successful hunt. Choosing the Right Hunting Blind When it comes to turkey hunting, choosing the right hunting blind is crucial. There are several factors to consider before making your…
Top Turkey Hunting Tips for Beginners Are you new to turkey hunting? Check out these top tips to help you have a successful hunt. Selecting the Right Gear When it comes to turkey hunting, selecting the right gear is crucial for your success. Start with a reliable shotgun that is specifically designed for turkey hunting.…
Everything you need to plan, preserve, and display your turkey mount — all in one place.