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JULY/AUGUST 2019
Here at Backwoods Taxidermy we have been a full-time taxidermy studio for over 15 years. Our main customers were other taxidermists and we did wholesale work almost exclusively. But, over the last several years word has spread, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have individuals travel or ship birds in from all over the country. A gentleman called, telling me he had an Ocellated turkey and was looking for a bird taxidermist who could handle the mounting project. Doing a handful of Ocellated turkeys every year, I had some pictures and I sent them to him. And the next thing you know, he is at my shop with four of his friends and five ocellated turkeys laying in the floor. They were telling stories and reliving the hunt. As excited as they were to drop the birds off, I can’t imagine how excited they’ll be when they pick them up. I always enjoy my wholesale customers. We chat for a little bit, catch up on events over the last year, fill their trailer up and they’re back on the road. But, it is always great to see the customer’s reaction in person when they get to see their own bird for the first time. It gives you a sense of satisfaction in that one-on-one moment!
I would like to thank all the people who read my articles, have called with questions and given me the chance to handle their bird work over the years. And a very special thank you to the entire Taxidermy Today staff for choosing one of my birds for the cover of the magazine and always making me look good.
— Kail Shumaker
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