BOTM October 2022

My third lifesize turkey done a few years ago. The scaps were impossible to med the ends of the feathers, so this is the end result after much steaming, which is much better than they were.

 

The head is a freeze dry from Stehlings that I sent them. I painted the head. I chose to have the wings out of the side pockets of the breast as per reference I had.

 

Some very nice pieces of late. I love the look to the preening pintail.

 

Took the words out of my mouth Jim. Cutn beautiful mount details are crazy good the balance, weight shift on the legs, closed eye all add to a spectacular bird.

 

Thank you so much.

 

This guy just left the shop yesterday

 

Great job Hoyt. I wish we got those up in Michigan as I've only mounted 3 of them ever and never been able to get one personally. Bucket list

 

Thank you! They are one of my favorites for sure. Hopefully you’ll be able to get yourself one soon!

 

I really like this pose, great work!

 

A toucrow done several years ago.

 

My fifth or sixth lifesize turkey. Anthony Eddy unpainted head and first time using Shane Smith body. Since this was my first time with the new body, I missed the pin point for the scaps. I placed them too far back, making them look a little un-natural.

 

The woodie hen was a add on. The Drake was done earlier and you can see how weak his crest was.

 

Alberta, Canada. Turned from hobbyist to professional in September, leaving a 10 year career in the tire and auto industry to start as a full time bird taxidermist and fur tanner at a northern alberta studio. This was the second client bird I did after starting. A roadkilled mature eagle with permit.

 

Raven mount done the following week.

 

And the first client bird done after starting. The upper owl in this pair mount. As well as the dead marten. The bottom owl was a pre-existing mount. I had to find a way to incorporate a new owl mount and a marten into a display with the old mount. Some digging around in the driftwood pile, and a bit of time with a sketch pad planning and this was the result.