Strictly Bowhunting :: Is THERE A TAXIDERMIST IN YOUR FUTURE?

Other: Is THERE A TAXIDERMIST IN YOUR FUTURE?

Posted by: csmickpaducahah-on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 02:46 AM

Selecting a Quality Taxidermist for Your Next Trophy
Written by Chuck Smick, with Doug Wynn

The hunter was thoroughly disgusted when he finally received his mount from the taxidermist. The greatest buck that he’d ever taken, looked lifeless and without any character. The cape was poorly attached to the form, the horns were somewhat crooked and the eyes looked dead.

The hunter was disappointed and mad. He’d hunted for over 30 years, and this was his FIRST trophy buck, with truly large set of antlers that he was looking forward to proudly displaying on his wall. His hard-earned money was wasted on an inferior mount. He had dreamed of taking such a trophy for many years; however he had not planned for such an event in his life. The hunter had taken some nice bucks over the years; but NOTHING of this caliber! He did not know what to do, or who to turn to and correct this mistake. Don’t Let This Happen to You!

PRE-PLAN FOR SUCCESS

A hunter has taken a trophy animal; or a fisherman catches a big fish; now what do they do? Many outdoorsmen start searching for a taxidermist after they have taken that trophy. This can be a costly mistake; especially if the quality of the mount is poor and deteriorates quickly. Price is usually the first concern, without any real thought about the quality that makes their trophy the center of their pride and joy for a lifetime.

Now is the time to pre-plan for success; before the fishing or hunting trip of a lifetime; or before you take that trophy of a lifetime. Each year, hundreds of trophies are lost due to poor handling in the field and lack of planning for success in the field or on the water. I had the pleasure of discussing quality taxidermy with Doug Wynn, owner of 5 Rivers Taxidermy in Benton, Kentucky. Doug is an award-winning taxidermist, and has trained in some of the top taxidermy schools in the United States. I’ve also had the pleasure of watching Doug perform his artistic work at his shop in Benton. Doug stated ”It is very heart-breaking to inform a sportsman that his trophy is ruined”.

To begin your search for a taxidermist to mount your trophy, you’ll need to research several taxidermists and determine which one meets your needs. The first item that you need to check is to insure that each taxidermist that you contact is licensed to work in the state where he/she practices their business. If a taxidermist mounts waterfowl, they may also be required to have a federal license to work on these birds. Always insure that the taxidermist you plan to use is properly licensed or you could lose your precious mounts if he/she is raided by State or Federal Wildlife Officers for violations.

Once you have determined that your taxidermist is properly licensed, take a close look at the quality of the mounts that are on display; and on his/her web site. Always ask for references; and get names and contact information. Follow up on this information and ask about the quality of workmanship and overall satisfaction. Check the mounts and compare them to mounts at other taxidermy shops. Quality work will stand out head and shoulders above poor or fair quality…and it will be very obvious.

Is the taxidermist a full-time taxidermist; or does the person work a full-time job and perform taxidermy work part-time? The part-time taxidermist may take longer to complete your mount or the quality of work may be lacking. You’ll need to take this into consideration before you choose the taxidermist to complete your mount.

Does your taxidermist specialize in particular species or is he/she a generalist? Specialists many times take courses that help them turn that bird, fish or big game head into a genuine work of art that stands out above the crowd. In rural areas, a taxidermist cannot specialize if he/she wants to make a good living. These taxidermists (like Doug) can chose to attend specialized training courses for particular species; however they have to be well-versed in all forms of taxidermy work to have a successful business.

Are you planning a trip overseas to hunt? Plan to discuss this with your chosen taxidermist as part of the planning process for your trip. He/she may be able to help you avert disaster, before it is too late. A quality booking agent such as Howard Gulick with Outdoor Connections or Neal Summers with Bowhunting Safari Consultants may prove to be of great help on this aspect of planning, if you book a trip through their agency.

Proper Field Care of Your Trophy

You have chosen a taxidermist to mount that trophy of a lifetime after you have a successful trip. Now is the time to discuss with your taxidermist what steps you’ll need to take, so you’ll have a quality mount when he has completed work on it. Make NO MISTAKE, a quality mount starts with proper care of your trophy in the field. Dragging a deer or other big game out with a four wheeler or driving around your home town with that trophy buck on the hood; allowing a trophy fish to get dragged around on a stringer; or allowing Buck the bird dog to chew on that pheasant are all ways to ruin a quality mount before your taxidermist ever gets to work on it.

A bacterium starts to deteriorate a trophy upon death. Heat is a great enemy of any species that you may want to have mounted. Dirt and debris can seriously damage a cape or hide. Fins, scales and feathers can be irreparably damaged by poor handling; so use great care when handling any species that you want to have mounted. A quality trophy starts in the field or on the water, with proper handling as soon as it is brought to bag.

Whenever possible, it is a good idea to allow your taxidermist to cape the mount. If this is not possible, get the animal caped out correctly as soon as possible, so the cape can get cooled down quickly. Salting a hide or cape and wrapping it tightly may be required in certain situations. Keep fish in a livewell and get it to your taxidermist as quickly as possible; is critical for a quality mount. You want to get your trophy to your taxidermist in the best possible condition that you can, so you’ll have a quality mount when your taxidermist is finished with your trophy.

Should finances or travel require you to wrap and freeze a trophy; always DOUBLE WRAP your trophy in plastic bags. Insure that you remove/squeeze out as much air as possible out of the first bag, tie off and bag again, following the same procedure and squeeze the air out. Freeze the species as soon as possible. Insure that you tag and mark the date and species of game on the outside of the bag so you’ll know what you have in the future.

Treat Your Taxidermist like a Professional

Taxidermy is a business that requires education, training and experience. Many taxidermists take courses that cost many thousands of dollars, so they will be able to create the quality of mounts that you and other outdoorsmen expect and desire. This business, like all businesses have overhead and expenses that have to be paid each month, like rent, taxes, light/heat and cooling bills. Your taxidermist has to purchase forms and other material, have multiple freezers and storage area for all of these items. He/she must make a living wage above his expenses also…and pay taxes, insurance and other bills.

Quality work takes skill, commitment and an artistic approach to produce an exceptional quality mount that will be admired for a lifetime. So, treat your taxidermist like a professional; he/she deserves it if they produce the quality of work that you expect. His skills and education are no less important to your overall satisfaction than your Doctor’s, Lawyer’s or Plummer’s.

The old saying “The quality will be long-remembered after the cost is forgotten” has no greater truism than in taxidermy. Prepare for the cost of a quality mount ahead of time, so you won’t have to settle for a poor quality mount. Spending $5,000-10,000 on a hunt and skimping on the taxidermy bill is a very poor investment; and one that will not do your trophy the justice that it deserves.

Trophies

Trophies come in many forms. They can be a great memory of a successful trip with family and friends; or high quality photos of game or fish successfully taken on trips over the years. Exceptional trophies are often mounted and displayed with great pride and joy, to be viewed and shared for years to come, which can be passed to future generations. You’ll decide what a trophy is in your mind; and how it is remembered.

SIDEBAR

If you are searching for a taxidermist that produces quality work, contact Doug Wynn at mrdux@refugemail.com; or by phone at 270-703-7600. You can view Doug’s web site at www.5riversdux.com. Doug is an award-winning taxidermist, along with being a waterfowl excellent guide.

About the author

Chuck Smick is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer; and hails from Paducah, Kentucky. Chuck has traveled, hunted and fished for over 40 years in 19 states from Alaska to Florida. Chuck and his wife Kathy enjoy chasing trophy bluegill, shellcrackers and crappie on their home waters of Kentucky Lake. Chuck is the owner of Smick’s Custom Photography and can be reached at csmickpaducah@yahoo.com. You can view Chuck’s blog at
www.chucksmickoutdoors.blogspot.com.

NOTE: All Photos by Chuck Smick

Doug Wynn, of 5 Rivers Taxidermy in Benton, Kentucky prepares a Kudu cape for mounting. Doug is experienced on a large variety of game, fish and birds.

Doug arranges a Kudu cape on a form, to prepare the finished mount. Well cared for capes are critical for quality mounts. Quality capes start in the field.

Artistic and realistic mounts of a variety of animals, birds and fish display the skills of a quality taxidermist. Look for these skills when you choose your next taxidermist.

Quality taxidermy wins awards at regional and national competition. Doug Wynn, of 5 Rivers Taxidermy is an award-winning taxidermist, with many years of experience under his belt.

1507 Reads

[Edit | Delete ]