Wildlife artist Wayne miller

Has anyone heard from him? He owes me for 5 bobcats, and I can't reach him.ive been waiting on a bobcat mount from him since January of 17. He told me 4 months ago he was setting the eyes on the mount and I would have it in a couple of weeks.he won't respond to phone calls or messages on here or text. Be careful dealing with this guy.

Ttt

It's a shame when a man gives you his word then doesn't follow through.

I would use every social media to get the word out. I also would contact the local law enforcement in his location and use the law. He has stolen and that is grounds for law to get involved and to see what options you have from being robbed.

Wayne Miller is maybe the most sought after taxidermist in this country,for that type of work.I would try to contact his daughter and see if she can either get you a contact number or have him call you.She has a facebook page.Kelly'swildlifeart.Good luck.If you get a bobcat mount from Wayne Miller,you will have something very special.Good luck.

Can't get kelly to respond to me about my mount, either.

Agreed!

Never a good sign when they stop answering their phones from my experience

I'd also post on www.taxidermy.net good luck, hope it works out....and Google to see if there is a state taxi forum where he lives and post there too, also there is probably "his state" hunting or fishing forum that you could post on

Was it paid in full or a partial payment??

Paid in full he is trading the mount for 5 cats that he's had for over a year now.

Jason is correct. The bad part is that the guy does fantastic taxidermy work. His word and promises are worthless though. Just don't understand some folks!

Thanks jeff

Don't know any of the parties involved, but, often on these type deals if you put enough pressure in the right places you will end up with a very well pre meditated and choreographed version of how it was not their fault. Lol

Yeah really no exquis for that type of crap, I work at 40 hr week sometimes 60 too 80 hrs regular job and since Nov have done 3 turkey 16 deer a bobcat and a mink they all reside at the customers homes and that was all brought too me in Nov or after.there are tons of exalant reputable part time taxidermist that don't jerk people around like that. And do great work. These guys get big names and yes most are capable of great work but they get so much smoke blown up there butts they start thinking there above customer service, I've worked for some big names around here and believe me some crap they do is just that crap.im here to tell you you can get great work done buy allot of the part timers you just have too talk too several and look at the stuff does the talk match the work.thats what my customers get. This whole he's the best but his words no good crap don't hold water with me that's why he does this crap and gets away with it too much smoke blowing. If he was so special he wouldnt risk his reputation! It's a hard thing too obtain.
Colt

Oh yeah and try taxidermy.net and yes contact the law fish and wildlife maybe as well!
Colt

I spoke with Wayne several months back and I had a hard time getting back to him. Taxidermy.net or thru his Ebay account is about the only way to get in touch with him.

Sounds to me he's more of a SCAM artist than he is a wildlife artist. Wouldn't it be great if men did what they said they'd do?

FYI, I tried to contact Wayne a few years ago and was lead to his daughter, Kelly. I just received some mounts Kelly did for me and they are INCREDIBLE. Be patient, they both do incredible work, especially on cats. I'm glad I was patient, I didn't pester her, just kept in touch. GOOD taxidermy is well worth the wait in my opinion.

I'll add this, I've used a taxidermist to do some turkey mounts, it's 10-12 months like clockwork...…..DONE.
Another taxidermist from Kansas, still has my antelope and a swift fox...….it's been 8-9-10 years now......LOL...needless to say I've long given up on her and getting those 2 mounts.
I harvested a nice whitetail several years ago and took it to renowned taxidermist Joe Meder the day after harvest. He told me, I'll be able to get this turned around for you. 56 days.....yes 56 days later he called and was done. I couldn't even score it yet as a 60 day dry time is required. The mount is still awesome today.
A buddy harvested a nice mountain lion, its between 2-3 years now waiting for it to be completed and this is a mountain lion "specialists-taxidermist" not Wayne or Kelly.

My point is taxidermist have different timelines, again I'd encourage you to be patient.

Hats off to those taxidermists who can turn work around in 12 months and do a quality job. Anymore I've come to expect a 12-18 month wait on most mounts.

I'll leave with this, I don't know Wayne, but do know his reputation as a world class taxidermist. I searched and searched for an excellent "cat" taxidermist and the vast majority of time it lead back to Wayne. Another lady from Michigan was mentioned several times, but she wouldn't return phone calls or emails. He may take longer than expected, he may not be the best at communicating, but he been doing stellar taxidermy for many many years. That said, I don't think for a second he's ripped you off or stolen anything at this point. My advice is to continue to contact him, I'm sure it will work out and as Taximan said you'll have an incredible mount.

Actually,a year and a few months is not that out of line for a taxidermist with the reputation that Wayne Miller has for outstanding work and those are custom mounts on custom manikins,not your average,slap a skin on a stock form.Some communication would be nice.This day in age,there is always a way to get hold of someone.

Very few cat mounts if there done right are slapped on a stock form. Some of mine get cut into 20 pieces and ALL of my turkeys are built from the ground up including a head and bodies, my customers can ALWAYS get ahold of me that is plan old profesonalisim! But your right a yrs and couple months at too long but you should be readily acsesable!
Colt

Very many bobcats are mounted right on forms as evidenced by member's pictures on this sight.Wayne Miller's cat's don't utilize commercial forms.There are very,very few taxidermists in the US,have the skill and knowledge to do this.

Your right wrapped forms are an art all there own, and up too 2 yrs ant bad but when I'm back logged my customers know without a doubt I'm 18 to 20 months out. That's all I'm saying. If it had been made Crystal clear this guys conserns would be null and void!
Colt

The length of time wouldn't be an issue for me. The not being able to get in contact with him is an issue. I'm sure he is aware of people trying to contact him and he is dodging them. That is a concern no matter how talented a person is. Unaccusable IMO with money already paid he needs to learn the value and consider the other person.

He told me he was setting the eyes and it would be ready in a couple of weeks. That was three or four months ago. If he would have said I'll have it for you in two years it wouldn't be a problem. I've got his cell phone number and still can't get a response. He shouldn't make promises and not keep them. I don't expect to get my mount or the money for the 6 cats I sent him at this point. I just wanted to warn my fellow trappers about this guy.

I wouldn't write it off,jptrappin.I think you will get your mount.If you don't,you made a deal and I'd stick with it till I was compensated.You aren't out of options.Don't give up.

Wayne sent me a pm on here and also called me just a minute ago. He said I should be receiving my mount in a couple of weeks. I hope it happens. Thanks jason

I have no excuse didn't keep my word and in contact with you Sorry Jason!
I will make it right.

Wayne

Great to hear.

Outstanding! I'm glad all worked out jptrappin. I would love to see that mount when you get it.

Good deal, as I thought all along.
I'm sure you'll be in awe of your mount.

Glade too hear it all worked out!
Colt

Jptrappin Did You get Your Mount? I've been waiting for 2 years to get 1 of the 3 Raccoons I sent to Kelly Waynes daughter ..She Has Promised me For Months She Would Get Started on The 1st one (all Sent The Same Time) Its Excuse after Excuse. She does Excellent Work but The Communication is Another Story. Wayne if You see this and Can Get some Answers I would Appreciate it,These all Are special Coons an Albino,Cinnamon,and Fisher Coon. Thank you,Coonman11

I'm in the same boat, except mine is a normal coon, just my first.

TTT

If you expect to get a traditionally mounted animal his mounts are not, and they are not wrapped,they are stuffed with Polly fill it’s and freeze dried. I hope you have gotten this straightened out by now!

Freeze dried NEVER are you nuts what a liar

This is what is in my mounts.. polyurethane foam ,clay, epoxy glue, excelsior, pollyfill, fiberglass, sculpt all epoxy, galvanized wire
pins ,sometimes wood ,alcohol and acid and well preserved skin thats it..

That guys cat was one of the last cats i did for someone i think i told him 12 months i took 15 he got his cat years years ago!
are we clear now.

p s Thank you to the trappers on here these are some cats from this site

Wayne

Outstanding work. Best I've ever seen.

Excellent cats

In late 2020 I delivered more than 150 frozen whole animals to Wayne Miller at his shop. The animals were mink, otter, marten, fishers & weasels. Mr. Miller paid in advance and even gave me extra money upon delivery. I observed a bunch of finished stuff in his shop. I'm no taxidermist, but what I saw was work of the highest quality. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the business I did with Mr. Miller.

Emerson Bornman

Here are a few photos of stuff I caught and stuff he stuffed.

Here are some of my animals after he mounted them.

Thank you for posting on this I'm gratefully and appreciative to ... All
here is a few more of your animals and others from here

( I no longer take in work for people )










thank you again over and out

Wayne