SPRING ISSUE #129: Photo Reference Study: IBEX

Ibex belong to the genus Capra, which includes all of the goats, including domestic goats. There are 5 ibex species recognized and most exist in distinct geographical areas and most can be identified by hair color, but the recurving horns are similar. Summer and winter coats can vary in color making it vary difficult for me to properly identify each of the many ibex photos I...

Teaching Taxidermy in China

Never in a million years did I think I would have the opportunity to visit a place like China. With the language barrier and its distance from North America, it always seemed so mystifying and far away, but through the art of taxidermy, it became possible. Then last summer (2017), Clark Schreibeis called to ask me some questions about how my trip had gone. He explained that...

Reference Study: Aoudads

Barbary sheep are a species of Caprid and within the subfamily Caprinae. This subfamily includes sheep, goats, and ibexes. It is native to the rocky mountains of North Africa. Barbary sheep are now rare in their native North Africa, but with their introduction to North America (mainly in the southwest USA) and southern Europe, the population is very stable with hunting...

Pedestal Backs with an Artistic Flare

In 1989 when I was a fledgling taxidermist, I entered a whitetail deer pedestal with artwork on the back. I was told by the deer judge that I should not have put artwork on the back. He thought it was distracting to the viewer—the back should be left plain. Nearly thirty years later it is now hard to find the back of a pedestal mount that is not exhibiting some sort...