Well we got into Vegas at 9:00 AM this morning and I am just getting a chance, 19 hours later to post this
. Please excuse auto-dell check words that might be scrambled as I am writing this with one sore feet, a sore wallet and one eye open
The show is outstanding and some fabulous exhibits. I'll post some pics today and through Saturday.
I sure respect all the Taxidermists who take the time, risk and financial burden to do this show. They are all pretty big fish in our small pond. If any Taxidermist is excluded, it is by no means intentional. I walked for 5 hours today and have not taken in half the show.
Mandalay Bay where the convention is being held
Ray Hatfield has an excellent set up
This bronze sculpture with running water blew me away
Beautiful
This piece was well balanced to say the least
Momma got a massage
The 'inside' of this water buff is what stood out to me
Beautiful sheep
Champion Ranch booth, these are some great guys. Wes Sykes does the Taxidermy that they have on display, and though many of you do not know Wes, trust me when I say he is one of the most gifted and talented men in our industry.
Nice wolves
This bronze piece was overwhelming! When you see people that have this much talent it really humbled you
Some guns I cannot afford.... but apparently many people can
Probably the hit of the show! Amazing, you could have a lifesize african diorama in The same room and 2 squirrels screwing attract more attention LOL
Another gun I wanted, but my credit card would be denied.
These next 3 pieces I will try to explain, but will not do so eloquently enough to do them justice. These are in the Wildlife Gallery section and are wood carvings that morph into cast sculptures. You cannot see where the wood end and the sculpture begins. These 2 pieces are simply indescribable in their beauty and detail. I cannot comprehend the talent, time nor skill it took to create these.
purdy sheep by The Gallery
Kevin, a very good friend of one of my best friends, James Poerner. Kevin and his son joined us on our antelope hunt in Néw Mexico last year, just a damn good guy. It was great to see him again.
I'm not going to get on a soap box, but I saw a few things in this piece by Mike Boyce's Animal Artistry. The first thing I saw is beauty and a total recreation of history. An Indian had arrowed a very large buffalo and in turn the giant beast had upended the Indian and his horse.
What I also saw is a piece that would not be allowed to be exhibited in most Taxidermy shows because of scared, close minded people and the leaders of associations views towards exhibiting an animal with an arrow in it. It really hit me like a brick when I considered the fact that 10's of thousands of people over a 4 day period, in one of the worlds largest casinos would be able to freely view this piece... but members of our own industry at THEIR shows would not be allowed to. It's kind of like telling Hugh Hefner that he can't look at titties.
Here are some of the finest Eagle reproductions you will ever see in Ray Hatfields booth
Coolest poker table I've personally seen
Some of the finest fish work you will ever see from Canada
Couple of Super Bowl rings for sale at Pawn Stars
The view tonight (or should I say this morning) from our room
Good night everybody, gotta climb in bed cause I gotta wake up in 2 hours
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