Taxidermist gone missing

[19and]

Jim.

with regret all that you are reading is unfortunately TRUE! you are in a long,long line of people across many states, countries who are keen to know where the trophies are these being any thing from a kids first buck to the lucky few who spend $30 000 + on that hunt of a lifetime. i worked with and stayed in the said individuals house.
at first like the rest of his staff and clients i thought this guy was the in line to be the best taxidermy studio in the USA. but as time went  on i saw that the only Good thing about the business was the taxidermists behind the scenes
even we got BS on a daily baces. I worked there for 2months. and in that time i saw loads of clients coming in asking for trophies (15+) and found out that over 14+ had come and gone in the past year (2010)
since my departure from there i know of a further 5 who have left!

Mr high country is now working from his fathers property (county rd east. between Co rd north and Sugden. rd. Mukwanago WI) its an old barn/stable, with no heating and half of it is dirt flooring. all this because he has been asked to leave the purpose built workshop he had ( through lack of payment)
further more he now only has 3 staff with varying levels of capability. and no willing taxidermy supplier willing to supply him with materials you can't run any business like that

Jim if you chose to take this further. start buy getting your trophies back in what ever state there in (mounted, unmounted,salted or tanned) these you can't replace. then worry about the money, that you can get back.
best of luck Jim 

[Hammer]

I feel for you all, it is sad that a person can go on in life screwing people over. It must be hell living like that wondering if around any corner or at any time someone is gonna take you out. Hell people kill over 5 bucks , someone jacket or sneekers. Wish you all the luck in the world.

[Hughiam]

Wow, Im sorry to hear about your problems.  Id get an attorney to work on your behalf.  You are entitled to get your skins/horns back then sue for damages or loss.  In the end youll want to be first in line if he goes under.

I interviewed there about 4 years ago.  Id never seen such high quality work or back log of work.  It seemed there were thousands of sets of horns/antlers laying around.  He was offering top pay as well.  We did some checking and found out he had a high turn over in employees.  There were other things that we turned up as well that I won't go into here.

Good luck.

Hugh

[mjvaden]

I don't Know Edwin, and have never met him. ......... but I do know that you all should not be so quick to judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes!

 What full time taxidermist here has never been behind. If you say you haven't  you are either not a very good one or a liar!
Most people that go to work for a larger company have no clue what it take to keep the doors open and never will.

Just food for though.

[Randy Miller]

You're right, you don't know him.

[Hedhuntr]

Jim,

  I would drive or fly there and go get your stuff. Tell him you want your stuff and then tell him you will be dealing with the monetary part of it shortly. Just get your stuff back asap before he falls deeper in the hole he dug. Taxidermy like so many other businesses can get away from you if you are not into turning away work you can't handle just for a quick buck.

[ryan rhodes]

Mjvaden, It's not about being "behind" on mounts...  This guy has been lying, coniving, and cheating his way through his business since the doors opened.  Whatever fall he takes, he fully deserves, I know him personally unfortunately....

[Wedlswildlife]

Hey guys I have worked there to and he is going down the toilet. I left cause my paychecks bounced. When my bank called me and said my checking account was over drawn I tried to call Edwin bit he never showed up at the shop. Then I came into work the next day waited for him to show and he never did so I went home why should I work on his stuff he he is gonna pay me. So he fired me cause he claimed it was unexcetable for me to leave like that when I have work to do. So I said its a crime to pass a bad check. Needless to say I didnt get my money back till I threatend to take it to the police then he came up with the money. I could tell you guys all kinds of stories just ccap him on wisconsin courts and you will see all the civil suits against him. All I know is please spread the word to people to  get there stuff back and take him to court for the money. Its not right to take someones money and memories and never to return them. Im thinking he os getting ready to flee the country with everyones money. If anyone wants to know more just let me know.

[ryan rhodes]

They just keep coming out of the woodwork, more and more people telling the truth about him....  He bounced several paychecks of co-workers when I was there....  And then he "fired" 3 guys, but did so in  a letter that he put in a paycheck.  He was too chicken to do it in person.  I got a phone call from him that day telling me to stay behind and make sure no one stole anything.  I was there for like 3 months and I was suppose to "keep the peace"  after he fired 3 guys and he couldn't handle it himself???  I wouldn't be surprised if he left the country, he is from honduras or some crap like that....

[Wedlswildlife]

I hear you Ryan I must of started right after that heard the guys talking about it. I dont think he can handle cofrontation. There is only two guys left there. Dont know how much work your gonna get done with tha kinda man power. He cant even order materials from McKenzie anymore when he wod send me down there I would have to put it on my credit and I couldnt wear a high country shirt there. There are alot of red flags going up I think more people need to get the word out.

[Randy Miller]

They just keep coming out of the woodwork, more and more people telling the truth about him....  He bounced several paychecks of co-workers when I was there....  And then he "fired" 3 guys, but did so in  a letter that he put in a paycheck.  He was too chicken to do it in person.  I got a phone call from him that day telling me to stay behind and make sure no one stole anything.  I was there for like 3 months and I was suppose to "keep the peace"  after he fired 3 guys and he couldn't handle it himself???  I wouldn't be surprised if he left the country, he is from honduras or some crap like that....

He did that before, in '08, that's when he advertised on here. We went, then when things we saw threw up red flags for us, we investigated. Found nothing good.... a long history of people cheated.
I think you and I had a conversation about this before you went didn't we Ryan? Sorry it didn't work out for you.

He's a smooth talker, I'll give him that. Glad my friend and I didn't get fooled; it was an important decision at that time. I went to college instead.

[ryan rhodes]

Yes we did talk Randy, I'm half glad I went.  I heard alot of mixed stories beforehand, but had to see for myself.  I learned alot, not from edwin, but the great talent he had there.  They are all gone now though....  It's a shame but I have no respect for him and the more stories I hear, it just makes me crazy....  I had a taxidermist/friend call me today about a client of his that has some skins at edwins from a year or more ago.  I told him his only chance is to go there and confront him face to face if you can find him, and pray he has the skins and horns/antlers...  I hope everyone gets their stuff back.   When I first started, he was in the middle of a huge falling out with the wildlife gallery.  Of course he blamed it all on them, but now i'm slowly hearing the other side from people, it's amazing how deceitful people can be right to your face with no remorse or feeling about anyone else but themselves....

[Wildlife 1]

I am glad I didn't go also Randy
 It was around 07, 08 I think that I was up there . It was when Ryan was getting ready to go there . He was tyring to get me to come there. By offering great money and perks. But it was going to be a big move and the wife and I decided it might be to good to be true so we decided against going . Along with some of the stuff I started to here about him shortly after I was up there .

And Ryan its good to see you got out with out to much damage.

 

 

[dreamhunter]

I am a taxidermist in Palmyra and we have heard this same thing for a year.  There have been people who he has lost capes and misplaced animals.  Today we heard from another taxidermist that High Country is no longer in business. 

[gunshooter]

Department of Justice ordered Injunction /Restrain order      State of Wisconsin vs High Country Taxidermy Edwin Alarcon     www.wicourts.gov     type in his name Its Public record