Building shoulder mounts

The month of March is a very busy month for me. As a home builder, the weather is getting better so we get back to work. As a product tester and outdoor writer, the products must be tested. As a prostaffer, I look for opportunities to support the manufacturers that I believe are building the best hunting products. As a taxidermist, the deer capes are tanned and the mounts must come to life. My taxidermy customers are promised to get their heads back in 4-6 months, (which is why I have a quota each year and will only take so many) so when April comes around, they want their heads! The excitement from every person who kills a big buck really builds this time of year as they know their trophy will soon be on their wall. Yes, there is a bit a pressure but I really enjoy this work and my customers know I won’t rush the job and sacrifice quality for speed. Does this sound like an advertisement? Don’t worry, it isn’t. When I say I have a quota, I mean it, as I won’t take more than my quota each year.

Speaking of the quota, I usually meet that quota by first shotgun season each year but last year was different as I accepted heads into the second season, which again proves to me that last year was an unusual one for most hunters. With the new administration heading the DNR, one can only wish we’re moving in the right direction. I am not an advocate of government waste, corruption, etc, but I can tell you that I will fully support our new staff and give them the benefit of the doubt until I have reason to believe otherwise and I certainly hope other hunters will do the same. I am also not one to cram my opinions down others throat, but support is noticed to those who are striving to improve and criticism has a counter affect, especially when a mess like we have today has been inherited. Lets see where we are a year from now and re-evaluate! Oh, I’m sure there will be room for improvement.

Anyway, Turkeys are already gobbling, trees are starting to bud, robins are here and so is Spring. What a great time of year! I get pumped all over again for bow season when mounting these heads. It’s dream time for me as I live vicariously through other hunter’s mounts as I’m putting them together. That’s what makes this sport so fun! It’s the anticipation, the practicing before the hunt, the dreams we all have while we wait for another deer season. Someone said to me last week that bow season is only 6 months away!  Can you believe that?