l shot a bear last november and got it to the taxidermist at the end of november. It has since been 1 year and 2 months since he has had it. We called numerous times and got no answer. We then called and threatened to take legal actions to retrieve the bear and our money and got a call back a few hours later. Then the man told us that the bear would be ready by the first week in december. Well, it wasn't. We called him again and he said by christmas, well, its still not done to my knowledge. Im pi**ed because he said he had to start on this years stuff, but my bear has been with him for a year. He keeps telling us that it will be done, and then its not. He has my bear and our deposit. l do not wanna have to get it finished somewhere else. He keeps using the excuse that he had heart problems (which he did in early spring). l feel bad about his heart, but he got the things sent out that he needed to in december, and had all summer and fall to finish my bear. What should l do? We could threaten him again, but that wo not accomplish anything. My biggest fear is that the bear is all fu*ked up and he does not wanna admit to it or something. This is a once in a lifetime junior record bear that l want back. Suggestions?
Thanks for theso far. Another detail to add, the guy is not at his shop much. Its about 40 minutes away and the 3 or 4 times we have stopped in (during the week at various times) he has not been there.

i'd go over there and get it and my money and find a real taxidermist

My advice would be stop calling him & pay him a visit. If he is working on it u should be able to see it even if it is not finished. After the skin is tanned & put on the form it is held in place with pins till it dries. Then the touch-up painting is done since there is some fading, the nose for example. If he still has it in his freezer, get ur money back & take it to a reputable taxidermist. Ask at ur local gun shop or if u know someone who has had animals mounted, who they would recommend. It took over a year & a half for my bear to get done but he kept me up to date with the progress. With taxidermy, fastest is not always best.