Hi guys, I just realized this post was still going, and now includes my name a few times as an example. I wanna try to clarify on some points if I could.

I know guys like me are expected to diss the competition when they dont charge enough, or if the detail isnt in the mount. But by now youd HAVE to notice that I dont do that. Im thrilled beyond words that my name has carried as it has. But there is NO best taxidermist out there, believe me. This business has lots of good work, and the customer is always the ultimate judge. There are already many shops near me who are competively priced, and specialize in quicker return times. So I, liking to be very detailed, long ago chose to cater to the few who really dig the details, and the extra stuff some others might not notice, or desire. It was a niche I felt I could fill, and Ive made my name doing so, NOT at the expense of others.

I like to compliment the part timer as a guy who is smart enough to have a good job to support his family first. If he does taxidermy on the side, chances are its another full time job, are darn near it. I see the cruddy work along with the really nice stuff. I see the low prices with the overpriced stuff. Hey, guys do what they feel they need to. The fact that we ALL have enough work suggests and bears out the fact that all levels are sought after. Read that one again, because thats the key. Is a 500 dollar moose going to look like a 1200 dollar moose? Well...as long as it does to the guy paying the 500 dollars, it works. See? I know what I think, but my opinion wouldnt matter either way in that case. Same with all the other work I see. Guys love to show off their mounts. To them, theyre the best mounts out there. How lucky are we, as taxidermists, to have rabid hunters out there, so proud of their mounts? Thats the name of the game, my friends!

You guys HAVE to know that I dont say, that in order to be a great taxidermist, you have to have a waiting list. Those of you who have met me in the many shows over the years have sat in my seminars and met quite a different person than you expected, huh? In the competition hall I have to, as a judge, evaluate the work according to the scoresheet Im given. Yet when Ive visited with countless numbers of you taxidermists, Ive always enjoyed looking at pics of your commercial work, havent I? Ive been a guest at many of your shops too. Doctor Death, you recall what I told you the first time you posted your nice canadian buck, and some guys were giving you the business about what you paid or who did the work for you? I came in and complimented your choice of taxidermist, Brian Dobson, didnt I. Thats how I do stuff.

Those of you who PM me privately about work, what do I always do? I dont peddle my wares here, do I, rather, I suggest a guy near you that I know. I always do. Thats just professional courtesy. When guys start harping on the return times in here, I do get a bit bent though. Sure, I hate having such a long return time. But I dont like the cheap shots Ive received in the past over them either. Bottom line, just like how all levels of work are desired based on how busy all taxidermists are...if I have such a long return time for all these years, somehow this must equate to me doing SOMETHING right for them to tolerate that wait. Heck, I know of over 40 taxidermists within even a one hour drive of me, and my customers come from further then that. I dont want to sound defensive, but heck, fair is fair! Im just thankful there are those out there who see something in my work that justifies that wait...for them! I would never try to lure a good guy like windwalker into my studio. Its obvious to me that he is pleased with what he is getting, at the price and time frame. One has to recognize what matches, and what doesnt. Why fight it? Thats the key, pleasing the customer. Windwalker would not be pleased in my studio, regardless of the accolades. So, that means HIS taxidermist is just as good, in his eyes... as it SHOULD be!

See, not all of us over-priced, slow taxidermists are evil! Im kidding there guys, its ok. We really can respect each others style and choice of how to run a studio. We all stay pretty busy. We all take some time each day to do what we care to, be it type words in here, or play after hours in the studio after the kids go to bed. Our choice, and as long as we have a happy family and happy customers, all is well! Lets not take cheap shots at one another based on buzz words that some might not understand in this industry!